Legal Officer – Nairobi, Kenya (2024)

Position Overview

Position: Legal Officer
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Type of Job: Full-time
Job Category: Legal and Advocacy
Salary Range: Kes 120,000 – Kes 150,000 per month
Reporting To: Country Manager
Application Deadline: 27th December 2024

About RefuSHE

RefuSHE is a nonprofit organization committed to empowering refugee girls and young women in Kenya. Through comprehensive support services such as safe shelter, education, case management, legal assistance, and advocacy, RefuSHE enables its beneficiaries to rebuild their lives with dignity and security. The organization is recognized for its dedication to advancing the rights and well-being of displaced individuals, particularly survivors of violence and trauma.

Position Summary

The Legal Officer will play a pivotal role in delivering essential legal services to refugee clients, especially girls and young women. This includes providing legal expertise, conducting research, managing cases, and collaborating with stakeholders to advocate for refugee rights. Additionally, the Legal Officer will support organizational compliance, governance, and policy development.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Research and Documentation

• Conduct in-depth research on national and international laws, including refugee rights, immigration policies, and gender-based violence statutes.
• Facilitate legal referrals to partner organizations while coordinating additional support services such as documentation, psychosocial counseling, or medical assistance.
• Monitor and analyze legal developments affecting refugees in Kenya.
• Prepare legal briefs, minutes, resolutions, and reports while ensuring compliance with applicable standards.
• Draft and review legal documents such as contracts, Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), and correspondence for the organization.

Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

• Liaise with government bodies, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations to support case advocacy.
• Represent RefuSHE at meetings, conferences, or legal aid networks to advance advocacy goals.
• Participate in community outreach initiatives aimed at raising awareness of legal rights among vulnerable populations.

Training and Capacity Building

• Organize and conduct workshops on legal rights, targeting clients, staff, and community members.
• Design legal clinics that include both group sessions and one-on-one consultations.
• Develop training materials focused on topics such as refugee law and gender-based violence policies.
• Implement follow-up systems for participants to ensure ongoing legal support.
• Maintain detailed records of consultations to track progress and identify recurring challenges.

Periodic Awareness Creation for Staff

• Develop training materials on organizational policies.
• Conduct regular training sessions for staff members on new or updated policies.
• Evaluate staff understanding through assessments to ensure compliance with organizational standards.

Identifying Legal Gaps & Mitigation Measures

• Conduct needs assessments to identify gaps in legal protection or advocacy efforts for program participants.
• Formulate strategies to address these gaps while aligning with organizational goals.
• Propose new initiatives or policy changes to enhance legal advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with relevant departments to implement mitigation strategies effectively.
• Establish metrics for monitoring the success of these initiatives.

Administrative Support

• Manage scheduling, correspondence, and record-keeping for the Country Manager’s office.
• Organize documents efficiently for easy access.

Additional Responsibilities

Perform other duties as assigned to support RefuSHE’s mission.

Qualifications & Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Law or Paralegal Studies; certifications in refugee law or human rights are advantageous.

Experience

• Minimum of 2–3 years in a similar role providing legal assistance; experience working with refugees or vulnerable populations is preferred.

Knowledge

• Familiarity with Kenyan judicial systems, international human rights frameworks, refugee law, protection policies, and gender-based violence statutes.

Skills

• Strong organizational skills with expertise in case management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite.
• Analytical skills with attention to detail.

Attributes

• High level of empathy, cultural sensitivity, and discretion.
• Commitment to human rights advocacy.
• Ability to work under pressure in fast-paced environments.

Company Culture & Values

RefuSHE fosters an inclusive work environment guided by its mission of empowering refugees. The organization values empathy, integrity, collaboration, and innovation. Employees are encouraged to grow professionally while contributing meaningfully to the lives of vulnerable populations.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter (indicating salary expectations) via email to hr@refushe.org. Please include “Legal Officer” in the subject line. Applications must be submitted by close of business on 27th December 2024. RefuSHE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, gender identity, disability status, or any other protected characteristic. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Consent Clause

By applying for this position, you consent to RefuSHE collecting and processing your personal data per its privacy policy. You may withdraw consent by contacting the provided email address. For more opportunities like this one, visit Kenyan Job Finder. Explore similar roles tailored for professionals passionate about making a difference!