JOB TITLE: ASSISTANT PROGRAMME OFFICER

DIVISION / DEPARTMENT LEGAL AID & SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAMME

LOCATION DADAAB REFUGEES CAMP

REPORTING LINES: Post holder reports to: PROGRAMME MANAGER

Staff reporting to this post: Programme Associates, Volunteers, Interns

JOB PURPOSE: To provide legal advice and procedural support to the organization on issues relating to and affecting displaced persons as well as administrative legal matters in an effective and efficient manner.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend to clients and assess cases.

• Seek access to clients in detention, ascertaining the conditions under which such clients are being detained, and provide them with appropriate legal and other assistance in accordance with RCK policy.

• As requested by the Programme Manager, conduct investigations, participate in boards of inquiry and advising on appropriate action to be taken.

• Provide legal advice and information. Prepare legal briefs and studies on a variety of legal issues and instruments.

• Provide legal representation of refugees especially unaccompanied and separated minors, GBV survivors in court and in police stations.

• Prepare responses to enquiries on legal issues of a refugee law /international law from RCK staff, governments, inter-governmental organizations, institutions, and the public.

• Participate in capacity building of RCK's stakeholders in relation to domestic and international refugee law

• Develop and maintain a database of and relations with internal /external referral partners.

• Update and manage the client databases.

• Prepare monthly reports and donor related reports within schedule.

• Support the development of proposal for fundraising for program work.

• Represent the organization in legal forum and disseminate information to other RCK programmes.

• Coordinate and carry out program budgetary and administrative tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

1) Bachelors degree in Law

2) Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practicing certificate

3) At least one year experience in civil and criminal litigation and two years experience with an NGO.

4) Knowledge of the Kenyan Legal system and of regional & international instruments on refugees.

5) Experience in children's' matters is an added advantage

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Job is complex, sensitive and stressful. Work requires willingness to work a flexible schedule and travel. Work may require frequent weekend and evening work as well as high degree of autonomy.

Interested candidates who fully meet the above requirements should send their applications along with a detailed Curriculum Vitae indicating expected salary and their daytime contact, to be received by 5.00pm, Wednesday 21st March 2012. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

RCK is an equal opportunity employer.

The Recruitment Committee

Refugee Consortium of Kenya

P.O Box 25340- 00603

Nairobi

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Internships and volunteers:

Recruitment for interns is done quarterly based on Programmes' needs. Under the guidance of the Programme officer, the intern will assist the Programme officer in coordinating Programme activities. S/he needs to be a pro-active individual with a vision for nurturing a culture of peace with the ability to provide timely responses relevant to our beneficiaries.

Qualifications:

• College diploma / University degree (or pursuing the same) with a focus on human rights, mass communications, social work, counselling or law (person needs to conversant with the Kenyan legal system).

• Interest/knowledge in human rights law and refugee issues

• Excellent communications skills, ability to articulate oneself and write concisely and clearly is crucial

• Good analytical skills and ability to synthesize large amounts of information

• Good interpersonal skills

• Must have computer skills

• Experience in human rights or development work is an added advantage

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements should send a detailed curriculum vitae, cover letter and 3-5 page writing sample to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Interpreters:

Recognising the need to cater to our diverse refugee clientele, RCK conducts trainings and engages with persons who are fluent in English and/or Kiswahili and languages spoken by our beneficiaries. Personal qualities for ease and accuracy of communication include concentration, language skills, agility of mind. The important skills and attitudes include:

• Confidentiality

• Good listening skills

• Honesty and personal integrity

• Good verbal and non-verbal communication

• Neutrality

• Composure

• Confidence

• Cultural sensitivity

• Gender sensitivity

• Sensitivity to children's issues

Please contact us for possible opportunities.