Key Responsibilities

• Lead and handle strategic litigation cases before all levels of courts and quasi-judicial bodies in matters aligned with IJM’s objectives.
• Pursue strategies to obtain reparations on behalf of IJM clients.
• Generate content for use in media and advocacy aligned with legal priorities.
• Provide guidance on collaborative litigation goals and strategy.
• Regularly brief stakeholders to build support for IJM’s strategic litigation work.
• Strengthen and expand networks that advance IJM’s strategic litigation objectives.
• Cultivate relationships with criminal justice system actors, universities, and student associations for research collaboration and case referrals.
• Support the development of strategic litigation alliances with civil society, bar associations, constitutional commissions, and state agencies in the police accountability space.
• Assess and recommend cases based on strategic relevance and impact.
• Draft high-quality legal pleadings and manage litigation processes.
• Provide legal and strategic support to the Senior Manager, Justice System Interventions (SM – JSI)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in law and a current practicing certificate.
• Master’s degree in law or a related field are an added advantage.
• Minimum of Eight (8) years of post-admission legal experience, preferably in a similar work environment, with a strong background in constitutional, criminal, and human rights law.
• In-depth understanding of Kenya’s Constitution and core constitutional principles.
• Experience in legal writing and public speaking on constitutional matters, police accountability, human rights, and the rule of law is an added advantage

go to method of application »

Key Responsibilities

• Provide effective and professional legal advocacy for IJM clients to consistently hold police accountable for misconduct and support Program Attorneys to do the same.
• Build strong partnerships with key criminal justice sector partners including prosecutors, magistrates, investigators, judges and civil society partners to strengthen and ensure police are held accountable for abuse of power.
• Identify and research on emerging needs and trends within the legal system affecting Police abuse of Power requiring administrative, advocacy, training, legal, policy and media intervention and work with the respective Outcome leads to highlight and implement solutions to the same.
• Working with the Field Office Senior Leadership Team to actualize the PCN outcomes in all legal related matters including support in the development and management of strategies, M & E indicators and budgets.
• Defend victims of police abuse of power in court to secure their freedom and expose police misconduct.
• Ensure the criminal legal team provides timely, client-focused and highest quality legal services.
• Share casework lessons learned with the larger team to ensure appropriate program adjustments where necessary.
• Use structured analysis to evaluate case referrals, assess case success probability and make case acceptance recommendations.
• Implement IJM’s best practices while continually reviewing their effectiveness.
• Draft well researched submissions and other legal documents and ensure direct reports maintain a similar standard.
• Draft and respond to correspondence necessary for the execution of intervention strategies.
• Plan and implement case strategy and manage associated investigative efforts with oversight from the SMJSI.
• Coordinate in the development and implementation of legal strategies to meet IJM’s system reform goals for police abuse of power with oversight from SMJSI.

Requirements:

• Degree in law, and Advocate of the High Court.
• Minimum 8 years’ legal professional experience in a similar work environment.
• Two years’ experience in a coordination or supervisory role over a legal team.
• Advanced computer skills set with proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.