Assistant Director, Legal Aid - 9 Posts

Job Title: Principal Legal Aid Officer – Grade 3

Job Reference No: NLAS/ADLA/4/4/2026/11

Note: Officers appointed to this position may be deployed to the headquarters or regional offices.

Qualifications

For appointment to this grade, a candidate must have:

• At least twelve (12) years cumulative work experience, three (3) of which should have been at the grade of Principal Legal Aid Officer or in a comparable position in the private or the public sector;
• A Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized University;
• A Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law;
• A Certificate in a Leadership Course;
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practising certificate or a clearance from the Law Society of Kenya;
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Preparation of court pleadings in the applicable court/tribunal;
• Coordinate preparation of reports on legal issues;
• Preparation of legal opinions;
• Coordination of legal aid services in court;
• Supervision and coordination of casework conducted by in-house and external legal aid providers;
• Facilitate provision of legal advice to clients;
• Represent clients in all courts and tribunals;
• Watch brief in criminal matters;
• Monitoring case flow management of pro bono lawyers, legal staff, and interns;
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Service’s activities;
• Identify and recommend appropriate areas of legislative reforms;
• Coordination and managing legal awareness and other outreach activities including pro bono programmes and law student internship programmes;
• Conduct research and legal analysis.

Remuneration

Remuneration will be in accordance with the NLAS Salary Scale:

• 159,916 x 14,208 – 174,124 x 14,208 – 188,332 x 14,208 – 202,540 x 14,208 – 216,748 x 14,208 – 230,956 x 14,208 – 245,164 x 14,211 – 259,375 p.m.

Contract Terms

Note: NLAS Grades 1, 2 & 3 are on a three-year contract basis, renewable once, while the rest are on permanent and pensionable terms.

Application Process

Interested persons who meet the minimum criteria are requested to submit applications enclosing copies of the following documents:

• National Identity Card;
• Certified copies of relevant academic and professional certificates;
• Any supporting documents and testimonials;
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae with three referees.

More detailed job descriptions for these vacancies can be accessed on our website: www.nlas.go.ke

All applications should be submitted ONLINE to [email protected] on or before 14th August 2026 at 5:00pm Kenyan time, with the letter quoting the specific position and the reference number, e.g., NLAS/CEO/1/1/2026/01.

All application letters should be addressed to:

Chief Executive Officer,
National Legal Aid Service,
P.O Box 45597-00100,
Nairobi.

Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted.

Canvassing in any form will lead to automatic disqualification.

The National Legal Aid Service is an equal opportunity employer; it does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Requirements for Successful Candidates

Successful candidates MUST satisfy the requirements of Leadership and Integrity as set out in Chapter Six (6) of the Constitution of Kenya and shall be required to present the following documents before being issued with an offer letter:

• Clearance from Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission;
• Tax Compliance Certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority;
• Certificate of Good Conduct from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations;
• Certificate of Clearance from Credit Reference Bureau;
• Clearance Certificate from Higher Education Loans Board or proof of ongoing repayments.