Coordinator, Legal – International Justice Mission

Job Title: Coordinator, Legal

Job Type: Full-time

Reporting Manager: Sr. Manager, Fort Portal Projects

Department: Fort Portal Programs

Office: Fort Portal Field PresenceJob Brief:

Overview: As a Coordinator, Legal you will provide legal support to IJM clients and lend expertise to external partners through coaching and mentorship. The Coordinator, Legal is responsible to develop and implement IJM’s strategy for legal for survivors of Violence against Women or Children (VAW/C) specifically Sexual Violence against Children (SVAC) or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). IJM is committed to a trauma-informed and multi-disciplinary response to violence against women and children; thus, the Coordinator, Legal will work closely with internal and external stakeholders across a range of professional disciplines, particularly law enforcement, prosecution, and social services. The Coordinator, Legal will build strategic partnerships with regional, district, and community-level Justice, Law and Order Sector officials to strengthen the legal response to cases of VAW/C. They will develop strategies to build the capacity of the Public Justice System response to cases of VAW/C.

Key Result Areas:

The success of this role is measured by the following KRAs:

1. VAW/C Case Management: Legal support is provided in IJM assisted and IJM driven case management in partnership with JLOS actors and other stakeholders.
2. Partnership Management: Effective and fruitful partnerships are created and maintained with governmental and civil society actors ensuring effective investigation and prosecutions in cases of VAW/C.
3. Mentorship and Training: Government and civil society partners are well trained in multi-disciplinary and trauma-informed case management for VAW/C survivors that build capacity and knowledge of the Justice Law and Order Sector.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Strategy & Knowledge Development & Implementation:

1. Evaluate, develop, and implement legal intervention strategies for IJM cases.
2. Guide the Legal team in its efforts to effectively mentor State Attorneys in VAW/C cases, including through developing, implementing, and reviewing monitoring and mentoring tools.
3. Encourage and support State Attorneys in the prosecution of perpetrators of VAW/C.

Networking & Partnership:

1. Support IJM’s advocacy efforts to build buy-in and political will for the prosecution of VAW/C crimes.
2. Build effective, trusting partnership relationships with justice system officials, social welfare officers, and other stakeholders within the district and national level.
3. Work closely with stakeholders to strengthen the medico-legal response to VAW/C by building linkages among justice officials, social welfare, police and health workers on forensic evidence collection, filling Police Form 3A, and preparation for court hearings.
4. Develop and maintain close working relationships with stakeholders to ensure effective case management and seamless provision of services to VAW/C survivors.
5. Convene and provide leadership in multi-disciplinary meetings with a variety of government and non-government stakeholders, and support inter-institutional dialogue and coordination on cases of VAW/C.
6. Develop and maintain an effective network of contacts within the Justice, Law and Order Sector.

Training and Development:

1. Develop and deliver high-quality, professional training curriculum to multi-disciplinary stakeholders.
2. Conduct gap analysis to identify law enforcement, prosecution and health care worker training needs.
3. Support training programs with the police, judiciary, medical and probation and social welfare actors on case management and court preparation including ethical and safety considerations for VAW/C survivors.

Casework:

1. Conduct legal research and draft correspondence, memos, and legal briefs.
2. Build effective, trusting case management partnerships with the Public Justice System actors and other stakeholders.
3. Understand trauma-informed and child-friendly approaches in VAW/C cases; and coach/guide all stakeholders on incorporation of trauma-informed approaches into their service delivery.
4. Represent IJM clients to meet their legal needs while engaging with the public justice system.
5. Coordinate with IJM multidisciplinary casework team and Uganda Police Force to investigate allegations of VAW/C, ensuring that all evidence is collected in an admissible form.

Documentation, Reporting & Data Management:

1. Track case related data in paper and electronic case tracking management systems.
2. Analyze and document cases of VAW/C that can contribute to updated case management protocols.
3. Work with the internal team members to monitor and evaluate the project, including monitoring and reporting of project targets, results, and outputs.

Supervisory:

1. The Senior Coordinator, Legal reports to the Sr. Manager, Fort Portal Projects.

Authority:RACI – Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed

**

Topics

Provision of legal support to clients – Responsible

Availability of legal expertise in liaising with partners – Accountable

Accurate and complete accounting of casework related data – Accountable

Legal trainings for external stakeholders – Responsible

Education & Experience:

1. Degree in law, successful completion of LDC, and current Practicing Certificate.
2. Five or more years of experience as a practicing attorney.
3. Excellent critical thinking, legal analysis, and oral and written advocacy skills.
4. Fluency in English and local languages, with excellent writing and speaking in both.
5. Computer literate with proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, and Excel.
6. Two or more years of experience in criminal litigation preferred.
7. Two or more years of experience as a public speaker, teacher, or similar duties preferred.
8. Driver’s License preferred.

Non-Technical Competencies:

1. Mature Christian faith as defined by the Apostles’ Creed.
2. Passionate commitment to IJM’s mission and values.
3. Professional in demeanor, appearance, writing and oral communication.
4. Works well under stress with a sustained positive attitude.
5. Exceptionally high level of honesty and integrity.
6. Intelligent, organized, creative and proactive problem solver.
7. Ability to cooperate effectively in a multi-cultural environment.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.