FIDA-Kenya is a non-profit organization that seeks to increase access to justice by women through formal and informal justice systems. FIDA-Kenya envisions a society that respects and upholds women’s rights. The mission of FIDA-Kenya is to promote women’s individual and collective power to claim their rights in all spheres of life.
Job Purpose
The Legal Counsel will provide high-quality legal representation, legal advice, and legal aid services to women and girls, support strategic litigation and advocacy initiatives, strengthen alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and contribute to FIDA-Kenya's mission of promoting access to justice and gender equality.
Key Responsibilities
Legal Representation and Legal Aid
- Provide legal advice and legal aid services to clients in accordance with FIDA-Kenya's mandate.
- Represent clients before courts, tribunals, and quasi-judicial bodies.
- Prepare pleadings, affidavits, submissions, witness statements, and other legal documents.
- Conduct legal research and provide sound legal opinions.
- Support strategic litigation aimed at advancing women's rights and gender justice.
Case Management
- Manage an assigned litigation portfolio and ensure timely progression of cases.
- Maintain accurate client records and case management information.
- Monitor court schedules and the virtual justice system and ensure compliance with procedural timelines.
- Prepare regular reports on case outcomes and emerging legal trends.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Facilitate mediation, Alternative Justice Systems (AJS), and other appropriate dispute resolution processes.
- Promote amicable settlement of disputes where appropriate.
- Support community-based dispute resolution initiatives.
Community Legal Empowerment
- Conduct legal awareness and civic education programmes.
- Support community outreach activities, legal clinics, and mobile legal aid initiatives.
- Develop simplified legal information materials for public education.
Advocacy and Policy
- Contribute to legal and policy research.
- Participate in advocacy initiatives aimed at promoting legal and policy reforms affecting women and girls.
- Prepare briefing notes, legal analyses, and policy submissions.
Partnerships and Organizational Support
- Build collaborative relationships with the Judiciary, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, National Police Service, County Governments, civil society organizations, and other justice sector actors.
- Represent FIDA-Kenya in stakeholder forums as assigned.
- Contribute to programme design, resource mobilisation, proposal development, and donor reporting where required.
- Undertake any other duties assigned in support of FIDA-Kenya's mandate.
Person Specifications
Academic and Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized university.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
- Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practising certificate.
- Member of the Law Society of Kenya in good standing.
- Training in mediation or alternative dispute resolution will be an added advantage.
Experience
- At least three (3) years of relevant post-admission experience.
- Demonstrated experience in litigation and legal advisory services.
- Experience in gender justice, human rights, family law, succession, children's rights or public interest litigation will be an added advantage.
- Experience working with civil society or development organizations is desirable.
Competencies
- Excellent legal drafting and analytical skills.
- Strong litigation and courtroom advocacy skills.
- Sound knowledge of Kenyan constitutional, civil, and family law.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
- Strong report writing and documentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple cases and competing deadlines.
- High ethical standards, professionalism, and integrity.
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