Programme Officer
Litigation Manager
About the Position
The Programme Officer will work under the supervision of the
Head of Research and Publication Programme with the key mandate of contributing
towards the realization of the vision of the programme and the institution.
The Programs Officer will be expected to commit to KI values and
objectives, comply with Katiba Institute policies including maintaining confidentiality
of KI information during and beyond the tenure of their employment contract. KI
also seeks an individual who will devote their time and attention during
business hours to the discharge of duties as assigned and diligently serve and
promote the interests of KI, including sometimes working for longer hours and
participating in local travel when necessary.
Responsibilities
·
Contribute towards shaping a coherent
vision for the research and publications programme;
·
Support the development of KI’s research
and publication’s profile;
·
Undertake desktop and field based
research on topical issues as determined by KI;
·
Support and promote dissemination of
research products, including through dissemination of publications,
presentations at local and international seminars, workshops and conferences;
·
Work with KI staff and consultants to
ensure compliance with KI’s policies on quality of research as well as
compliance with the requirements of all relevant regulatory bodies;
·
Assist in developing and
strengthening partnerships with research institutions, government entities,
civil society institutions, as well as international agencies;
·
Assist in resources mobilization to
develop KI’s research and publication capabilities;
·
Assist in the development and
implementation of a sustainable and effective communication and dissemination
strategy of KI’s knowledge products;
·
Assist in the development and
implementation of the work plan of the Research and Publications Programme;
·
Monitor assigned programmatic budgets
to ensure prudent use of KI resources; and
·
Undertake all such other functions as
may be directed by the management and that are within the mandate of the
organization and complimentary to the above responsibilities.
Qualifications
·
A good degree in law, social sciences
or political studies or any other related degree;
·
Possession of a Master’s degree in a
relevant area will be an added advantage;
·
Experience in research, writing and
speaking on a range of different constitutional, human rights and rule of law
issues;
·
Excellent writing skills in English.
Strong Kiswahili will be an advantage.
·
Particularly strong, demonstrated,
research skills, using paper and electronic resources
·
Experience in working with
communities and civil society organizations in Kenya;
·
Conviction in and commitment to
constitutionalism and principles of human rights;
·
Ability to quickly grasp new and
complex concepts;
·
Ability to work under pressure and as
part of a team;
·
Ability to balance priorities and
co-ordinate work effectively in order to meet deadlines and deal with heavy
workloads; and
·
Sound judgment and/or temperament to
enable interaction with persons from all sectors of society.
Litigation Manager
About the Position
The Litigation Manager will be one of Katiba Institute’s team of
litigators, with the special responsibility of ensuring the smooth functioning
of the Public Interest Litigation Unit. The Unit currently comprises 4
practising advocates, a legal assistance and usually includes two or three
interns, or a pupil. The Litigation Manager will be part of the Senior
Management Team, which comprises department heads from KI’s four departments
and the Executive Director, mandated with ensuring that the organization
operates effectively.
The Litigation Manager will be expected to commit to KI’s values
and objectives, and comply with KI’s policies; fulfil instructions given from
time to time; maintain confidentiality of KI’s information during and beyond
the tenure of their employment contract. KI also seeks an individual who will
devote their time and attention during business hours to the discharge of
duties as assigned and diligently serve and promote the interests of KI.
Responsibilities
·
To co-ordinate activities of KI’s
Public Interest Litigation Unit;
·
To be in charge of case management,
including assigning of cases to advocates, monitoring progress of all cases
being undertaken by the PIL Unit, ensuring quantity and quality control in
regard to the work of the PIL Unit;
·
To identify high impact cases for
litigation in consultation with the Executive Director;
·
To prepare annual work plan and
budget for the PIL Unit and to have them consolidated with the master KI work
plan and budget;
·
Supervising staff of the PIL Unit,
including conducting performance reviews of the PIL Unit Staff;
·
Managing the PIL Unit budget in
collaboration with Finance and Operations Programme;
·
To report on a regular basis to KI
management on the progress being made by KI PIL Unit;
·
To engage in policy, advocacy and
strategic litigation in defence of the constitution and in furtherance of human
and peoples’ rights in Kenya;
·
To ensure filing and follow up of KI
cases
·
To conduct, with colleagues, KI’s PIL
matters before Courts and Tribunals;
·
To undertake legal research, write
submissions and provide opinion on legal questions which KI is seized with;
·
To provide high quality legal advice
to KI on existing and potential litigation matters;
·
To provide high quality legal advice
and support to KI’s community partners;
·
To review new and existing litigated
files to create, update, or amend litigation plans;
·
To assist the Board of Directors in
carrying out their functions by providing legal advice on emerging issues and
making recommendations in relation to a range of possible actions;
·
To disseminate and communicate PIL
strategies and outcomes to the stakeholders and the public in order to ensure
greatest impact of KI’s PIL work;
·
To form and maintain good working
relations with all key partners including communities, constitutional
commissions, government entities and donors;
·
To identify and pursue fundraising
opportunities, under the guidance of the Executive Director; and
·
To undertake all such other functions
as may be directed by the Executive Director and that are within the mandate of
the organization and complimentary to the above responsibilities.
Qualifications
·
A postgraduate degree in law and a
current practicing certificate, issued by the Law Society of Kenya;
·
Experience in research, writing and
speaking on a range of different constitutional, human rights and rule of law
issues of at least five years;
·
Experience in working with
communities and civil society organizations in Kenya;
·
Conviction in and commitment to
constitutionalism and principles of human rights;
·
Experience in case load management
and supervision of staff;
·
Ability to quickly and accurately
grasp new and complex concepts;
·
Ability to work under pressure and as
part of a team;
·
Ability to balance priorities and
co-ordinate work effectively in order to meet deadlines and deal with high
workloads;
·
Sound judgment and/or temperament to
enable interaction with persons from all sectors of the society;
·
Ability to communicate complex legal
issues to communities
How To Apply
Please email a cover letter, curriculum vitae and names and
contacts of three referees to: careers@katibainstitute.org. Kindly indicate the title of the position in the subject
matter of your email. The Application must reach us by latest 11p.m. on Friday
20th September 2019.
Katiba Institute is an equal opportunity employer. Only
shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Katiba Institute does not solicit fees for any job
advertisement.