Platform for Labour Action Job For Lawyer in Uganda

Job Title: Legal Associate

Platform for Labour Action (PLA) is a national human rights civil society organization that was founded in 2000. PLA focuses on labour rights and seeks to promote and protect the rights of the vulnerable and marginalised workers through empowerment of communities and the individual. PLA has been providing legal aid services that comprise, primary and secondary legal aid, since 2003. Our target population include children in exploitative forms of work, children at risk of exploitation, informal sector workers infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, women and youth and workers earning below Ushs. 150,000 per month. PLA operates a functional legal aid clinic and the experience of a Legal Associate is sought to contribute to this service delivery.

Job title: Legal Associate Overall job purpose: Provide legal aid services to vulnerable, marginalised and undocumented workers who comprise PLA's target population Level Officer/Volunteer Reports to: Senior Legal Officer Supervisor to: None Remuneration: This position attracts a competitive salary commensurate with the NGO sector and includes benefits such as health insurance among others

Key Role: The Legal Associate is responsible for attending to clients under primary legal aid and conducting outreach legal aid clinics to all Platform for Labour Action (PLA) in Kampala, Lira, Dokolo, Amolatar and other areas as may be required and ensuring that the services are offered accurately and effectively and reflect the mission and vision of PLA.

Primary Working Relationships: Senior Legal Officer, Program Officers, Volunteers/ Interns, Legal Clerk, All PLA staff and all PLA clients.

Areas of Responsibilities: 1. Provide legal and advisory services through direct one-on-one primary legal aid services and legal outreach mobile clinics to vulnerable, marginalized and undocumented workers in Kampala and PLA's geographical area as may be required. 2. Hold consultations with the Senior Legal Officer for the next steps and appropriate action. 3. Draft legal documents and prepare submissions for PLA cases. 4. Carry out legal research and prepare briefs. 5. Maintain a record of complaints received and action taken and follow up of cases/disputes handled. 6. Attend court with the Senior Legal Officer and prepare summary briefs. 7. To provide legal advice to the different Community Based Organizations and partners of PLA. 8. Work with program staff and provide legal advice and legal awareness to the communities under the different projects. 9. Enter data in the PLA Legal aid database 10. Attend staff meetings and represent the organization at meetings and workshops. 11. Prepare weekly, quarterly, monthly and yearly work plans and activity reports, file time sheets to supervisor. 12. Update and manage the clients' database on a regular basis.

Supervisory Responsibilities: As may be determined

Job requirements: 1. Bachelor's Degree in Law and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. 2. Sufficient understanding of issues of vulnerable and marginalized groups. 3. Experience of working with disadvantaged groups is an added advantage. 4. Good computer skills, good written and oral communication. 5. Experience working with NGOs or development organizations shall be an added advantage.

Required Skills: 1. Alternative Dispute Resolution. 2. Negotiation and mediation skills. 3. Strong written and oral communication. 4. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 5. Excellent computer skills. 6. Strong team work skills. 7. Excellent time and project management skills and attention to detail. 8. Ability to meet tight deadlines. 9. Ability to work under minimum supervision. 10. Interest in and knowledge of labour related issues.

Interested applicants should address their application to the Head Finance and Administration, Platform for Labour Action, Plot 68, Kanjokya Street, Kamwokya, P. O. Box 9714, Kampala –Uganda or email their applications to; personnel@pla-uganda.org Attach a cover letter, resume, academic transcripts and other supporting evidence of experience or training not later than 1 June 2011.