Legal Officer

Job Details

Justice Defenders, in partnership with the International Development Law Organisation (IDLO), is implementing a two-year project titled "Enhancing access to fair trial and timely justice delivery for inmates at Jinja and Kalangala prisons" under the Community Justice Program Phase II (CJP II), 2025–2030. The Legal Officer will implement field-level operations to address legal, procedural, and institutional barriers causing prolonged detention in Jinja and Kalangala prisons, with focus on protecting rights of remand prisoners, providing direct courtroom representation, coaching inmates for self-representation, and building sustainable legal empowerment structures.

• Duty Stations: One (1) based in Jinja District; One (1) based in Kalangala District
• Reports To: Country Programs Manager
• Contract Duration: 1 Year (Subject to renewal based on performance and funding)
• Employment Type: Full-time
• Positions: 2 Vacancies
• Salary: Not disclosed
• Work Hours: 8

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary legal counsel representing Justice Defenders and providing legal representation to eligible inmates in courts of law, including during trials, bail hearings, and appeals.
• Conduct targeted clinics to prepare inmates for self-representation, equipping them with court rules, trial procedures, cross-examination techniques, and public speaking confidence.
• Conduct rights education campaigns and distribute accessible information materials to strengthen inmates’ understanding of their constitutional, procedural and trial rights.
• Establish, train, and provide technical mentorship to prison-based paralegal networks consisting of both inmates and prison staff.
• Provide comprehensive legal aid services, including case file tracking, legal document preparation, file tracing, and surety tracing to fast-track bail application approvals.
• Facilitate alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and victim-offender mediation and reconciliation for petty offenders to aid prison decongestion.
• Support case tracking and active coordination among justice system actors (Police, State Attorneys, Judiciary, Prison administration) to remove system bottlenecks.
• Carry out legal research to support clients’ cases and ensure compliance with criminal legal procedures and practices and government policies.
• Create structured feedback and accountability mechanisms between inmates and duty bearers to reduce case delays and improve system responsiveness.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (LDC).
• Enrolled Advocate of the High Court of Uganda with a valid, current practicing certificate (mandatory for court representation).
• Minimum of 2–3 years of hands-on experience in criminal defense litigation, legal aid delivery, or human rights advocacy in Uganda. Experience working in the prison community will be an added advantage.
• Professional mastery of English. For Jinja-based position: Working fluency in Lusoga and Luganda is highly desirable. For Kalangala-based position: Working fluency in Luganda is highly desirable.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, professional integrity, and protection of rights and dignity of all persons.