Jobs: Legal Officer at Center for Health, Human Rights and Development

Job Title:   Legal Officer

Organization: Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Programme Manager

About CEHURD:

The Center for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD) is an indigenous, non-profit, research and advocacy organization which is pioneering the enforcement of human rights and the justiciability of the right to health in Eastern Africa. CEHURD was founded in 2007 and was registered under the laws of Uganda as a company limited by guarantee Certificate No. 114712. It was formed to contribute towards ensuring that laws and policies are used as principal tools for the promotion and protection of health and human rights of populations in Uganda and in the East African region. CEHURD realizes this through a set of programs: (1) Human Rights Advocacy ; (2) Community Empowerment; and (3) Research and Documentation .

Job Summary: The Legal Officer will work with a group of experience lawyers to provide a cross section of legal services to health service providers.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

1. Legal Advisory and Representation:

• Meet and interview clients for the purpose of identifying their grievances and planning appropriate legal solutions
• In charge of collecting evidence to inform any possible litigation cases or policy review and development process
• Represent clients in all legal proceedings including but not limited to arbitrations, negotiation, settlement meetings, court proceedings and other legal proceedings,
• Draw up legal documents for the purposes of protecting the rights and interests of the clients and/or presenting their cases before any judicial or quasi-judicial body
• Guide clients on all legal issues especially issues relating to the protection and realisation of their sexual reproductive health and rights
• Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for the purposes of explaining the law to clients
• Identify and challenge obstacles to the realisation of the right to health especially sexual and reproductive health rights
• Works closely with Programme managers in CEHURD to engage those in charge of setting health policies to implement the solutions reached via research. This will include but not limited to preparing Policy or Research briefs, reports, testimonies for public hearings, presentations and petitions on health policies.
• Actively contribute towards ensuring timely, quality and accurate programme quarterly and annual reporting
• In charge of developing and expanding CEHURD’s strategic relations and partnerships in litigation of the right to health especially sexual reproductive health rights

2. Other Key Responsibilities:

• Adhere to our organizational values and to actively promote their application amongst colleagues
• Undertake tasks in a creative, self-driven and innovative fashion
• Identify and implement additional tasks/ ideas of benefit to the organization (whether directly linked to one’s job or not)

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• The ideal candidate should at least be enrolled to practice law in all courts of judicature in Uganda and should have a valid practising certificate.
• Three or more years of practising experience in Courts of Law in Uganda.
• Past experience in practice of criminal law in Uganda and knowledge of sexual reproductive health and rights may also be an added advantage.
• Possess excellent analytical skills
• Leadership skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Team skills
• Excellent resource mobilization skills
• Innovative spirit and willingness to use creative thinking.

How to Apply for the job: 

All suitably qualified candidates should send their applications including a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, copies of academic documents in  sealed envelope indicating “Legal Officer” on the top left hand side of the envelope to:

Executive Director, Centre for Health, Human Rights and Development (CEHURD)

Plot 833 Old Kiira Road, Ntinda – Kiwatule Ssebowa Zone.

P.O. Box 16617, Wandegeya Kampala Uganda

Tel:+256 414 – 532283 or Mob. 0700940112

Email to: info@cehurd.org clearly indicating the position applied for in the subject line of the E-mail.

Deadline: 20^th March 2015, by 5:00pm