Legal Officer Advert

The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers, FIDA (U) is a non-governmental organization that promotes and defends human rights with an emphasis on women and children as beneficiaries. FIDA was formed in 1974 as the Uganda chapter of Federacio Internationales de Abogadas or the International Federation of Women Lawyers. FIDA Uganda was formed as a membership association for female lawyers with a primary objective of promoting the professional growth of its members and helping women access their rights. The FIDA Uganda office is located on Plot 4, Robert Mugabe Road, Mbuya, Kampala district.

Available Position: Legal Officer (3 vacancies) (Kabong, Kotido, Napak)
Job Title: Legal Officer Department: Legal Aid Clinic Level: Officer
Reports to: Senior Legal Officer

Main purpose of the post:
The Legal Officer is responsible for providing FIDA-Uganda’s clients with legal advice and representation according to high standards of professionalism and best practice; aiming to empower vulnerable women and children to enjoy their rights as equals.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
 Receiving clients and listening to their concerns in order to fully understand the legal issues effecting them; at all times treating clients with compassion and respect
 Ensuring that all appropriate paperwork has been completed and client fees collected according to FIDA-Uganda procedures
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 Providing clients with professional advice and guidance; ensuring that FIDA clients are continuously sensitised about the law and its applicability
 Taking appropriate action on behalf of clients:
 Agreeing an action plan with the client, clearly specifying the outcomes
that are expected from the client and the role of FIDA in supporting
 Taking appropriate legal action on behalf of clients e.g. representing them, producing legal letters, mediating disputes
 Establishing the readiness of the clients for self-representation; ensuring that they are aware of best practice in various representation forums and coaching them to behave in a way which will maintain good relationships with the various duty bearers
 Referring those that cannot be served by FIDA to other legal partners for service
 Providing financial aid to those who qualify according to FIDA-Uganda’s policies
 Following up on the progress of client’s cases and keeping them informed at all
times
 Participating in the development of detailed project plans; including participating in stakeholder analysis and research if required
 Engaging with communities or stakeholder groups in a way that facilitates the changes in attitudes and behaviours identified as goals in the Project plan
 Designing and delivering learning and development interventions that will enable participants to improve their attitudes and behaviour towards vulnerable women and children
 Organising and/or participating in networking events
 Engaging with the media, influencing and enabling them to promote the changes
in attitudes and behaviours identified as goals in the Project plan
 Participating in the development of Information, Education & Communication Campaigns
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 Contributing towards Program Quality and Learning activities (M&E) in order to measure impact and ensure continuing improvement
Person Specifications
 Bachelor of Laws. Possession of a Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice is a must.
 Must be computer literate.
 Possession of a Practicing Certificate will be of added advantage
 Possess at least 2 years’ experience in the related field.
Personal Attributes
 Good spoken Ngakarimojong will be added advantage
 Strong writing skills
 Reporting Skills
 Strong Interpersonal skills
 Good Customer Care
 High Communication skills
 High integrity
 Ability to uphold secrecy of correspondence
Application
Candidates with the necessary qualifications and experience should submit an application letter, current CV and copies of their professional certificates to the Human Resource and Administrative Officer at hrdepartment@fidauganda.org. Applicants should indicate the preferred station, a daytime telephone contact, email address and include three professional referees. Deadline for submission of applications is Thursday, 2nd May, 2019 at noon.
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