Legal Officers Jobs

Legal Officer (Elimu Impact Evaluation Centre)The Elimu Impact Evaluation Centre (Elimu), in partnership with Kituo cha Sheria (KCS), are providing legal aid services and legal education to Elimu’s randomly selected study participants at the Kianyaga Justice Centre in Kirinyaga.
Elimu, created by McGill University Professor Matthieu Chemin in 2006, is a Kenyan NGO which undertakes the rigorous evaluation of development projects in order to identify the most effective ways to reduce poverty. Elimu uses randomized trials to achieve this goal.
Since 2006, Elimu has been involved in the impact evaluation of three different programs: community-based microhydroelectrification, health insurance, and legal aid (for more information on Elimu and the concept behind randomized controlled trials, visit Elimu Impact Evaluation Centre).
Elimu is in the process of conducting a research project that seeks to determine the causal impact of legal aid on the economic welfare of the members of the Kianyaga community. In order to assist Elimu in the completion of this project, KCS has provided legal aid and mediation trainings to Elimu’s paralegals who, in turn, are now providing legal aid to a selected subsample of the Kianyaga respondents.
The purpose of this project is twofold: firstly, it aims to improve access to the judiciary for people who are typically excluded from the legal system and secondly, to assess the impact of access to the judiciary on feelings of security of property rights, ease of contract enforcement, agricultural investment and productivity, entrepreneurship, and overall poverty reduction.
Elimu’s paralegals are also providing legal trainings to selected participants on the buying and selling of land, the writing of wills, the process of succession, as well as the obtainment of search certificates for their land. In addition, they are assisting selected clients in conflict resolution by mediation and out of court settlement. Thus, the research project consists of six separate, yet related, interventions: 1) The provision of legal aid.
2) Training in the buying and selling of land.
3) Training in the writing of wills.
4) The provision of financial assistance to obtain search certificates.
5) Training on the process of succession, and
6) Mediation of conflict.
The aim is to compare the impact of these various interventions on the overall welfare of participants in order to determine which intervention is most beneficial for society.
Elimu is thus looking to hire an innovative, organized, and responsible sit-in advocate for the office to lead the day to day provision of legal aid and court representation for Elimu’s randomly selected clients.
Key Duties and Responsibilities of the Legal Officer

Provide strategic direction to the paralegals

Provide legal advice, and court representation for clients

Drafting, filing, and serving of all documents related to the cases

Conduct research that enables Elimu and KCS to build evidence base that informs litigation strategies.

Legal awareness and education to clients and paralegals in matters legal with specific focus on land and succession

Responsible for counselling clients and sensitising communities on building a factual basis for their cases

Report writing.

Coach, mentor and nurture skills and potential of the community paralegalsMinimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Law or equivalent qualification.

Must be an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practising certificate

At least 1 year professional working experience in civil and criminal litigation, with a reputable human rights organization or law firm.

Excellent written and verbal skills in English, Kiswahili and Kikuyu (as the project is located in Kirinyaga and many of our clients only speak Kikuyu, knowledge of Kikuyu is absolutely essential for this position)

Good working knowledge of modern information, communication and technology systems

Knowledge in advocacy and negotiationApplications, including a detailed cover letter, curriculum vitae with at least three referees, and copies of relevant testimonials—including diploma from Kenya School of Law, transcript, and practicing certificate—day telephone number, email address and an indication of present and expected remuneration should be addressed to:
The Coordinator
Emma Gilman
Elimu Impact Evalution Centre
Kianyaga, Kirinyaga
E-mail: emma.catherine.gilman@gmail.com
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Interviews will begin in early January 2015.