Summary
Date Posted: 29th April 2019 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
The Refugee Law Project (RLP) is an outreach project of the School of Law, Makerere University. Our Mission is to empower asylum seekers, refugees, deportees, IDPs and host communities to enjoy their human rights and lead dignified lives. The Refugee Law Project has a wide physical presence with offices in the different parts of the country including Kampala, Hoima, Mbarara, Gulu, Kitgum, Nakivale and Kyangwali, Kiryandongo, Lamwo, Adjumani, Yumbe, Arua and Moyo.
For the fulfillment of its mandate, the Refugee Law Project now seeks to make appointments for the following vacancies:
Job title: Legal Assistants
Reports to: Legal Officer
Programme: Access to Justice
Area of Placement: Either Kiryandongo, Adjumani or Yumbe
Job Summary: Legal Assistant
The Legal Assistant provides specific legal assistance to the assigned Legal officer and office in the provision of direct legal support to victims of forced migration and in carrying out policy advocacy on forced migration.

Key Result Areas and Tasks
KPA 1: Client Support
1. Prepare documentation for proper representation of forced migrant clients before the courts of law and other institutions;
2. Provide legal advice to forced migrants and support migrant groups;
3. Identify and make referrals for cases that need the Legal Officer’s attention;
4. Facilitate Alternative Dispute Resolution among conflicting parties;
5. Participate in the Conduction of legal aid clinics to the refugee settlements to provide onspot legal aid services;
6. Make appropriate referrals for legal and alternative support to other partner organisation and service providers
KPA 2: Research and Advocacy
7. Participate in conducting legal related research on cases presented to court;
8. Identify and document access to justice cases as they relate to forced migrants and forced migration;
9. Participate in the preparation of legal opinions and advice on general issues of forced migration that may arise from time to time;
10. Conduct trainings on pertent issues oncerned with forced migrations
11. Conduct training to empower forced migrants for sustainability
12. Particpate in training of government duty bearers
13. Participate in the development of information, Education and Communication Materials relating to Access to Justice
KPA 3: Networking
14. Conduct information session on identified issues amongst the forced migrant community.
15. Participate in dialogues with forced migrants and other stakeholders;
16. Support in coordinating networking meetings with other stakeholders in the provision of legal aid, including but not limited to Government institutions, UNCHR, among others; Initiate, review and advice on MOUs between the RLP and other partner organizations as necessary.
KPA 4: Fundraising
17. As a sustainability mechanisms, the Legal Assistant supports fundraising through in developing reports to reviewed and submitted to donors
18. Identify new issues in the area of operation for further funding
19. Prepare for donor visits and ensure that all the needed feedback is available
20. Account for funds advanced for activities in the stipulated timeframe.
KPA 5: Information management support
21. The Legal Assistant will carry out other clerkship responsibilities including; filing, taking and responding to legal related correspondences as necessary;
22. Support in basic psychosocial counseling for clients;
23. Open and close arguments and aid in court pleadings or motions

Qualifications and Competencies Required
Essential:
• A first degree in humanities and social sciences
• A minimum of two years demonstrated research experience, including knowledge of the Ugandan context
• Strong and demonstrated writing background 2
• Computer literacy (word processing, spreadsheet)
• Familiarity with research analysis tools (e.g. SPSS, Stata, Tableau, N-Vivo, etc.)
• Strong written and spoken English
• Touch-typing (or willingness to learn)

Desired Competences
Ability to operationalize legal assignments; Ability to give timely report on activities undertaken; Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision; Creative and innovative skills; Great interpersonal skills and high level of self-motivation; Excellent skills in MS Office applications and good communication and presentation skills; Good touch typing skills of at least 30Words Per Minute; Fluency in Kiswahili and/or any other language spoken in refugee communities will be an added advantage

Necessary Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in Law from a recognized university Experience in engaging with key partners on legal related issues Possession of a practicing certificate will be an added advantage Knowledge of Kiswahili and/or any other language spoken in refugee communities will be an added advantage

Job Experience Requirements: Degree

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Job application procedure
  Please submit an application cover-letter and up-to-date Curriculum Vitae, as well as links to any publications you wish us to consider. Copies of academic credentials are NOT required at this stage. Applications should be sent by email addressed to the Human Resources Officer at recruitment@refugeelawproject.org with title of the position applied for in the subject-line. All applicants must be submitted by 11.59pm on Friday 10th May. Applications received after this time and date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates must be in a position to cover their own travel expenses to interview. Refugee Law Project is a human-rights based organization with strong Anti-Discrimination policies.

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