Assistant Director, Legal Aid

The National Legal Aid Service (NLAS) is a state agency established under the Legal Aid Act 2016 with the mandate to offer legal aid services to vulnerable, marginalized, and indigent persons in Kenya. NLAS is seeking to recruit qualified and experienced individuals for the position of Assistant Director, Legal Aid. There are nine (9) posts available for this position, and selected officers may be deployed to either the headquarters or regional offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Pleadings & Representation: Preparation of court pleadings in the applicable court/tribunal and representing clients in all courts and tribunals.
• Reports & Legal Opinions: Coordinate preparation of reports on legal issues and preparation of legal opinions.
• Service Coordination: Coordination of Legal aid services in court and supervision and coordination of casework conducted by in-house and external Legal Aid providers.
• Client Consultation: Facilitate provision of legal advice to clients.
• Case Monitoring: Monitoring case flow management of pro bono lawyers, legal staff, and interns.
• Evaluation & Reform: Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Service’s activities, and identifying and recommending appropriate areas of legislative reforms.
• Outreach Programs: Coordination and managing legal awareness and other outreach activities including pro bono programmes and law student’s internship programmes.
• Research: Conduct research and legal analysis.
• Criminal Matters: Watch brief in criminal matters.

Requirements for Appointment

• At least Twelve (12) years cumulative work experience, three (3) of which should have been at the grade of Principal Legal Aid Officer or in a comparable position in the private or public sector.
• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized University.
• Post graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
• Certificate in Leadership Course.
• Admitted as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya with a valid practicing certificate or a clearance from the Law Society of Kenya.
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results.