Programme Manager – Legal at Kituo Cha Sheria (KITUO)

Programme Manager – Legal at Kituo Cha Sheria (KITUO) | Iko Kazi

Position Overview

Purpose: Provide strategic leadership, technical oversight, and national coordination for Kituo's Legal Aid and Empowerment Programme (LAEP).
Core Goal: Ensure legal aid interventions are professional, client-centred, rights-based, and aligned with Kituo's mission of advancing access to justice and human rights.

Key Responsibilities

Legal Case Management and Quality Assurance

Oversee legal services nationally (client screening, advice, counseling, pleadings, court representation, and complaint handling).
Conduct legal research and represent clients in court, tribunals, high-profile matters, and public interest litigation.
Provide case assessments on land rights, labor/employment, succession, criminal defense (human rights dimension), and civil disputes for marginalized persons.
Develop workflow systems, client feedback mechanisms, and monitoring & evaluation frameworks.
Coordinate mobile legal aid clinics and set professional quality/confidentiality standards for case files and registers.

Programme Strategy, Partnerships, and Resource Mobilisation

Develop implementation frameworks (workplans, budgets) to expand pro-bono networks and legal aid services.
Coordinate fundraising strategies, alternative revenue sources, and visibility campaigns with the Executive Director.
Build sustainable networks with legal aid institutions, the Judiciary, National Legal Aid Service, donors, and stakeholders.
Research public interest legal problems and develop multi-pronged impact litigation and systemic solutions.

Volunteer Advocates Network

Develop work schedules and allocate continuous court cases to volunteer advocates.
Lead the recruitment, induction, training, mentorship, and management of the pro-bono advocate roster and referrals.

Legal Empowerment

Design and oversee implementation of legal literacy and awareness campaigns.
Run capacity-building programs for paralegals, community justice centers, and alternative justice systems.

Legal Advisory Services

Serve as senior internal legal advisor to the Executive Director, Board, and colleagues on institutional, contractual, and employment matters.
Advise the organization on legal risks.

Team Supervision and People Management

Provide technical supervision and coordination for LAEP staff and regional legal officers.
Supervise, mentor, and train junior legal staff, paralegals, interns, and volunteers.
Contribute to staff performance appraisals, capacity recommendations, and recruitment.

Planning, Budgeting, and Reporting

Develop and execute annual/quarterly work plans and manage approved programme budgets.
Review operations and provide periodic impact reports to the Executive Director, Board, and donors.

Legal Research and Documentation

Conduct legal research on legislative changes and precedent affecting clients.
Prepare legal documents, policy briefs, position papers, and maintain a comprehensive legal resource library.

IOther Duties

Qualifications

Academic & Professional Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized institution.
Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a current practicing certificate.
Added Advantage: Master's degree in Law, Human Rights, or related field; training in non-profit leadership, programme management, or governance.

Required Experience

Minimum of 7 years of post-qualification experience in legal practice.
5–6 years of experience in programme coordination/management, budget oversight, and staff supervision.
Depth of knowledge in civil, criminal, public interest, and strategic litigation law.
Experience managing legal aid or access-to-justice programs at a national/multi-site scale.
Independent external representation experience (courts, government, donors).

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