Programme Manager (South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Programme Manager (South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia)

ABOUT LAW

Legal Action Worldwide is an independent non-profit association comprised of creative human rights lawyers and jurists, united in our belief that those who have experienced human rights violations and international crimes should receive targeted, survivor-centred, gender-competent and trauma-informed support to access the justice they deserve.  LAW’s team operates on the ground in conflict-affected contexts combining national and international expertise with a deep understanding of victim and survivor needs and wishes. We work directly with survivors and their communities, building their capacity to meaningfully engage with justice and advocacy processes. Alongside this, we provide technical assistance to strengthen justice institutions to ensure they are equipped to deliver the justice that survivors need, and work with legislators to promote accountability and the rule of law.

Across 18 countries, and in collaboration with survivors, their communities and national justice actors, LAW undertakes creative accountability strategies, including strategic litigation at national, regional and international levels. LAW’s vision "A world where all victims and survivors have access to justice, so that impunity is not a barrier to sustainable peace.
 

THE ROLE

We are growing—and looking for an experienced Programme Manager to lead our dynamic team and amplify the impact of our transformative work in fragile and conflict-affected areas across South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, with potential expansion into other countries in East Africa. In this pivotal role, you will champion the rights of survivors and victims of human rights violations, including gender-based violence, through ground-breaking case files. You will forge strong partnerships with national partners and lawyers, driving domestic and international litigation efforts, implementing survivor-centered approaches to transitional and transformative justice, and advancing gender equality through legal aid and progressive legislation. Your leadership will be instrumental in delivering holistic, integrated legal services and advocacy, producing compelling evidence-based reports, and elevating LAW’s visibility on the global stage.

MORE ABOUT THIS POSITION

Where?
The position will be based in LAW’s Nairobi office with regular travel to regions. You must have the right to work in Kenya.

Duration: This position is funded for 12 months on a full-time basis. The possibility of extension is subject to funding.

Salary: KES 6,600,000 to KES 7,950,000 a year (based on experience) and benefits apply

The post holder will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below:  

Programme Management   

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key actors including relevant government and justice actors, donors, NGOs, partners and other relevant groups in the East Africa region. 
• Deliver the project(s) in accordance with proposals, budgets, MEAL methodologies, LAW policies and procedures and donor regulations.
• Lead on risk management.
• Lead and coordinate policy, research, legal and advocacy efforts.
• Develop and lead the implementation of LAW’s work with victims and survivors of human rights violations and abuses, including gender-based violence, through building and following up on strategic litigation cases, building the capacity of lawyers and legal actors, creating and implementing corresponding advocacy strategies.
• Monitor and support the work of partners and build their capacity, delivering technical assistance, monitoring, fundraising, M&E and security, safeguarding and other relevant skills.
• Prepare budgets and oversee programme expenditure, and implementation of expenditure plans.
• Coordinate with LAW’s Senior Management Team, and other programme managers as required. 

Fundraising

• Develop a fundraising strategy to identify opportunities to ensure the sustainability and expansion of programmes.
• Ensure timely and quality narrative reporting to donors and compliance with donor grant requirements and LAW policies and procedures.
• Lead on concept notes, proposals and donor reports.

 People Management  

• Lead the Africa team effectively ensuring high calibre staff are recruited and retained.
• Foster an enabling environment for innovation and high performance, ensuring staff are appropriately supervised, develop work plans and engaged in training and development. 
• Manage network of technical experts and their consultancy agreements.
• Ensure the Africa offices are compliant with all relevant legal requirements relating to employment law as well as safety, security, health and safety regulations. 

 Advocacy and Communications

• Devise an advocacy strategy and design products that can be shared with both internal and external stakeholders, based on evidence gathered from the programmes.
  
• Design and organise trainings, workshops, roundtables and other events.  
• Contribute to LAW’s advocacy tools, including factsheets and annual reporting.

Any other tasks relevant to the position as requested.  

About You

•  A master's degree in law, or human rights.
  
• Qualified lawyer with 5 years demonstrated experience working in international humanitarian law, human rights law, justice and accountability, criminal law, or refugee law.
  
• Minimum 5 years’ experience representing vulnerable individuals in legal aid services and working on cases of sexual and gender-based violence.
  
• Demonstrated experience in a similar project management position, including planning, design, M&E, and budget management.
• Track record of management skills and experience to lead and motivate a geographically dispersed team.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication in English.
•  Excellent organisational skills, with ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
• Proven track record and experience in developing and implementing advocacy strategies.
• Demonstrated experience fundraising and implementing legal and protection projects in complex or conflict-affected environments and liaising with donors. 
• Experience conducting international crimes investigations/prosecution and interviewing vulnerable victims and witnesses, and/or experience providing or coordinating the provision of legal aid to gender-based violence victims and survivors in the national or international legal system. 
• Experience working in humanitarian contexts, preferably with displaced populations.
• Understanding of protection and displacement issues in the East Africa context.

 HOW TO APPLY

Do you want to use your skills to make a true difference to some of the most marginalised victims and survivors? If so, we would love to hear from you.

The deadline for applications is 29th May 2025. We reserve the right to close this job earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of interest.  Please apply early!

At LAW we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately.

🔗 Learn more at: www.legalactionworldwide.org