Senior Projects Lawyer

A human rights organisation is seeking the services of a highly motivated lawyer to join a small team of high impact researchers and lawyers for its Harare office. The ideal candidate for the position must be; a lawyer who understands the Zimbabwean context and is eager to make an impact on human rights policy and practice in Zimbabwe and beyond, multi-talented, highly collaborative, an excellent writer and skilled communicator who must excel at targeted litigation, research and advocacy initiatives. The lawyer must excel at convening diverse groups of stakeholders to move strategy from vision to implementation and impact. The lawyer must believe in all human rights for all people, in justice and accountability for all, and must be willing to go an extra mile to ensure that the goals of the organisation are achieved.

Under the supervision of the Programmes Coordinator, the Senior Projects Lawyer will implement and accomplish strategic objectives by overseeing multiple project activities in the organisation. In particular, the Senior Projects Lawyer shall be directly responsible for the implementation of the following projects: public interest litigation; access to justice; legal empowerment; anti-impunity campaigns; legal research; human rights protection at national and international levels.

General responsibilities

The Senior Projects Lawyer will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and guidance to the public interest litigation programme, lead in litigation and non-judicial interventions as well as lobby and advocacy activities.

Actual job responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities of the Senior Projects lawyer include: Providing strategic leadership and guidance to the public interest litigation programme; Planning annual programmes and troubleshooting the same; Overseeing and implementing the strategic impact litigation, research, and human rights lobby and advocacy strategies of the organisation; Spearheading policy reform campaigns, including development of model laws and policies, policy briefs and analysis on topical human rights issues; Developing funding proposals; Working with the Programmes Coordinator to ensure budget parameter and grant agreements compliance.

Professional qualification needed

The candidate must have the following experience and qualifications: A registered legal practitioner with at least 5 years of professional experience in litigation, human rights research and advocacy, access to justice and community engagement; Possession of a Master’s Degree in Human Rights from a reputable institution is an added advantage; At least 3 years working experience in donor/ NGO projects in the human rights sector; Experience in engaging state institutions, independent commissions, international mechanisms such as SADC, AU, ACHPR and UN (Human rights system); Previous work experience in advocacy and lobbying.