Justice Centres Uganda hereby invites applications from suitably qualified, competent, self- motivated and creative Internal candidates to fill up vacancies (listed below), to be based in Arua/Yumbe District, under an 8 months pilot project funded by the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) whose goal is to ensure that justice actors enhance access to justice for individuals and groups in situations of vulnerability with focus on remand prisoners.
JCU’s overall objective under the project will be to ensure that justice actors enhance access to justice for vulnerable individuals and groups with focus on remand population in selected prisons ensuring a stronger and more coherent human rights system in Uganda where each human rights actor fulfils its mandate and is contributing the protection and promotion of Human rights country nationwide.
- Advocates – (2 Positions):
Job Title: Advocate – under the DIHR Pilot Project, Justice Centres Uganda
Reports to: The Manager Programmes
The Advocate under this project will be under the direct supervision of the Manager Programmes and will be in charge of the following:
- Litigation and case support: Evaluate findings, develop strategies and arguments in preparation for representation of JCU clients in court on criminal, civil litigation and other legal proceedings. Also, ensure that all successfully litigated cases are executed.
- Writing and/or drafting legal opinions, case briefs, draw up legal documents and other correspondences as may be required on behalf of JCU clients.
- Mediation: Conducting mediations and ensuring that the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are properly executed and followed up.
- Prisons Decongestion Programme (PDP): Decongest prisons through PDP, in identifying inmates for PDP as well as representing PDP clients in court.
- Support courts to carry out mandatory mediations (handle court annexed files), handle cases on state brief and plea bargain.
- Participate in Media activities: Conduct research in preparation for legal rights education and awareness creation through radio talk shows and television talk shows.
- Provide quality legal advice and basic counseling to JCU walk-in and call-in clients and identify clients for Mediation, Litigation and referral, while at the same time maintaining confidentiality of clients’ information at all times, both within and outside JCU.
- Information on Clients’ Management System (ICMS): Upload and update handled cases onto the ICMS, which will support the generation of periodic reports by the M & E Office.
- Engage with key actors in the justice system to create a victim-friendly environment for the refugee vulnerable communities in accessing quality legal services and realizing their legal and human rights.
- Discussing and reviewing proposed legal arguments with the Manager Programmes and other legal staff at the Centre in preparation for case management.
- Undertake legal and factual research, analyze case outcomes and document lessons learnt.
- Document success stories from the successfully executed cases and forward to the Advocacy and Communications Officer for uploading onto the various platforms.
- Provide support for the development of an outreach and advocacy strategy for the Centre.
- Conduct training sessions for key stake holders and communities in human and legal rights issues.
- Prepare regular work plans and reports.
- Participate in weekly in-house training and meeting sessions.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from an accredited Institution.
- Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice; MUST be an Enrolled Advocate of the High Court with a VALID Practicing Certificate.
- Minimum of 3-4 years’ relevant experience in legal practice/ Court room experience
- At least two years’ experience in provision of Legal Aid Services either as a regular staff or Volunteer in a professional setting.
Required Competencies:
- Proven experience working on legal aid issues and /or legal aid organizations.
- Work experience with refugees.
- Dedication to working for and with the refugees.
- Proficiency in both Oral and Written English is essential
- A sound understanding of access to justice and work practices of JLOS institutions.
- Lobbying ^Advocacy skills; as well as experience in mediation.
- Proven appreciation of human rights issues.
- Ability to mobilize communities and work with volunteers.
- Proven team building and management skills.
- Ability to speak at in least any of: Lugbara, Alur, Kakwa, Aringa & Swahili languages
- LEGAL VOLUNTEER (1);
Qualifications:
Applicants should have completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Laws, completed and graduated with a Post Graduate Diploma at Law Development Centre and looking forward to enrollment.
He/she should be able to speak at in least any of the following languages: Lugbara, Alur, Kakwa, Aringa & Swahili.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested and qualifying candidates with the necessary qualifications, competences, skills and experience should submit an application letter, including cover letter, cv showing contact telephone numbers & email addresses of 3 referees and copies of academic documents and a photocopy of a valid Practicing Certificate (for the Advocate positions) and a copy of the Transcript for the Post Graduate Diploma from LDC (for the Volunteer).
Applications should be addressed to the National Coordinator – Justice Centres Uganda, and hand delivered at The Judiciary Registry of Planning & Planning, Plot 6, George Street, P.O. Box 26365 Kampala, Uganda. OR email to [email protected]
The closing date for receiving of applications is 27th September, 2024.
While we thank all applicants for their interest in working with JCU,
ONLY shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
