Programme Officer (Legal Empowerment And Aid Programme – Leap)

Role Overview

This role is embedded within Kituo Cha Sheria’s public interest litigation team and focuses on the LEAP project, while also contributing to the organisation’s wider legal aid, community empowerment, and access-to-justice work. Day to day, the Programme Officer advises vulnerable clients, conducts screening and case assessment, manages litigation from drafting pleadings through court representation, and supports legal aid clinics, paralegal training, and stakeholder engagement. The position also feeds into programme planning, donor reporting, and institutional learning, helping ensure that every intervention is client-centred, rights-based, and aligned with Kituo Cha Sheria’s mission of advancing social justice and human dignity.

The role reports to the Programme Manager and works closely with programme teams, legal assistants, community volunteers, and administrative and finance staff. It requires regular attendance at courts, travel to project sites and community areas, and participation in partner meetings as part of routine duties.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice, information, and guidance to clients; conduct initial screening and assessment of legal needs; and identify cases appropriate for litigation, referral, or alternative intervention.
• Manage and progress assigned litigation matters, including drafting pleadings, affidavits, submissions, applications, and legal opinions, attending court regularly, and preparing accurate case reports and updates.
• Support implementation of programme activities such as legal aid clinics, public awareness forums, workshops, and trainings, including developing workplans, activity schedules, and implementation strategies.
• Contribute to legal research, documentation of case studies and success stories, and the preparation of programme reports, concept notes, and donor-related documentation.
• Participate in community legal aid outreaches, fact-finding exercises, and public education activities, and support the training and capacity building of community paralegals.
• Maintain up-to-date client records, case management systems, referrals, and liaison notes, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism in handling sensitive matters.
• Build and sustain relationships with community partners, civil society organisations, local leaders, government agencies, and justice sector stakeholders, representing the organisation in delegated meetings and working groups.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning by collecting and analysing programme data and submitting monthly, quarterly, and donor reports on time.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognised institution, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law, admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, and a current practising certificate.
• Additional professional training or certification in human rights, public interest litigation, safeguarding, or a related field is an added advantage.
• Minimum of three years’ post-admission professional experience, preferably within an NGO, human rights, or legal aid environment.
• Demonstrable experience in litigation, court representation, and legal aid delivery, as well as in programme support, community legal outreach, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in training and capacity building of community paralegals, and in working with vulnerable or marginalised communities, is an added advantage.
• Strong legal research, analytical, and drafting skills, including pleadings, affidavits, and legal opinions.
• Sound programme and project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and monitoring, alongside strong report writing and monitoring and evaluation capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal issues for community groups and vulnerable clients.
• Effective facilitation, mentorship, networking, and stakeholder management skills, combined with high integrity, discretion, and professionalism.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to handle multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

What We Offer / Why Join

This is a fixed-term contract role, renewable subject to performance, funding availability, and organisational needs. Remuneration and benefits are determined in line with Kituo Cha Sheria’s salary structure for Programme Officers and may include health insurance, field travel allowances, and professional development opportunities.

The position also offers access to ongoing training, workshops, and continuous learning activities, and provides a meaningful opportunity to contribute to human rights advocacy, community empowerment, and equitable access to justice for vulnerable and marginalised groups.