| Position title | Program Officer |
| Report to | Legal Aid Clinic Executive Director |
| Duty station | Hargeisa, with frequent travel to project locations |
| Duration | Project-Based |
| Number of positions | 1 |
| Issue Date | 14 July 2021 |
| Closing date | 21 July 2021 |
About University of Hargeisa Legal Aid Clinic:
University of Hargeisa Legal aid clinic (LAC) was established in 2002 and became operational in 2003. The organization has remarkably embarked on strong achievement to meet its destined objective in relation to serving pro-poor persons living in the boundary of Somaliland to protect the rights and freedoms of vulnerable groups including but not limited to women, children, elderly people, and internally displaced persons.
LAC is affiliated with University of Hargeisa, which provides the main premise, and it has other offices near the regional court of Mardoodi Jeeh region where lawyers and paralegals operate to support low-income people who are seeking legal aid
LAC’s mission is to be the leading provider of quality legal aid and legal education services,
Ensuring effective access to justice for the poor and vulnerable groups as well as a training hub for law students.
About the Programme
LAC is implementing a sub-project that aims to work with ADR centers by empowering traditional leaders to properly solve cases on the basis of community will and preference. The project aims to strengthen the social contracts in Togdheer, Sool, and Sanaag regions of Somaliland through establishing ADR Centres. The project will give priority to serving the most vulnerable people within the society including women, girls, and SGBV survivors through providing health, psychosocial and legal support.
With funds from The Government of the Kingdom of Netherlands, through IDLO’s consortium leadership, LAC is in partnership with IDLO and other implementing partners to implement a project in Somaliland entitled “Strengthening the Social Contract through Access to Justice in Somaliland.”
The purpose of this project is to strengthen the social contract in Somaliland, by increasing the legitimacy of justice sector institutions. This overall goal will be achieved through three mutually reinforcing objectives: (1) to Improve access to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and referral pathways, especially for vulnerable groups (2) to Enhance access to formal justice for vulnerable groups through holistic support to GBV survivors and affected communities, and (3) to Increase participation of citizens in Somaliland in accountability processes relating to the provision of security and justice.
About the position:
Under the direct supervision of the LAC Program Manager, the Program Officer will be responsible for the execution day to day activity of the project, will support the programming, documentation, and reporting of the project.
Key Roles and Responsibilities:
- Support the establishment of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Burao, Las Anod, and Erigavo.
- Responsible for compiling and maintaining official records and documents on the planning, programming, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the access to justice program.
- Conduct field visits and monitoring of ADR Center staff including lawyers and paralegals.
- Support the training of paralegals and other ADR Center, Staff
- Support with day-to-day execution of program activities
- Provide support or supervise to Program lawyers and paralegals.
- Any other task direct by the program manager.
Essential Qualifications:
- University degree in law, social work, or similar field.
- At least 2 years experience in legal service provision.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Demonstrate understanding of rule of law in preventing and protecting vulnerable members of the community.
- Knowledge and familiarity with alternative dispute resolution mechanisms; and experience in SGBV laws.
- Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.)
Interested candidates should submit their updated CVs, copies of certificates, recommendation letter, and cover later (in one document) to director.hr@uoh-edu.net not later than 21 July 2021.