Assistant Legal Officer

Organisation: DIGNITY Kwanza – Community Solutions (DIGNITY Kwanza)
Position: Assistant Legal Officer
Reporting Line: Project Coordinator
Duty Station: DIGNITY Kwanza Ulyankulu Office, Tabora.
Closing date: 4th June 2024

About DIGNITY Kwanza

DIGNITY Kwanza is Non-Govermental Organization registered in Tanzania that aims to safeguard and promote the human dignity of people affected by displacement, people at risk of statelessness, and vulnerable women, children, and youth to attain their social and economic development. Through its integrated approach that combines advocacy, legal aid, and community empowerment and support, DIGNITY Kwanza contributes to the creation of conditions and opportunities for its population of concern to enjoy rights, live with dignity, attain social and economic growth and participate in the search for lasting solutions to their needs and the overall nation-building.

About the DREAMS Project

Mercy Corps, in partnership with the Village Enterprise and DIGNITY Kwanza, seeks to implement the Delivering Resilient Enterprises and Market Systems (DREAMS) project which aims at alleviating poverty among the Tanzania communities. The project targets Tanzanians living in the refugee settlements of Ulyankulu, Katumba, and Mishamo in the Tabora and Katavi Regions and the villages surrounding those settlements. These include the naturalized Tanzanians who lived in Tanzania as refugees from 1972 until when they were naturalized about a decade ago. DIGNITY Kwanza’s role in the DREAMS project is to foster a conducive setting for the DREAMS to thrive and achieve the desired results by removing existing and preventing anticipated legal and practical barriers through the provision of legal information, legal assistance, and engagement with decision-makers on legal matters relevant to the project. The Assistant Project Officer – Legal will work alongside the Legal Services Team to implement DIGNITY Kwanza’s activities in the DREAMS project in the Tabora region.

Main responsibilities:

i. To organize community sensitization and legal education sessions for the participants of the DREAMS project on various legal aspects that are relevant to their successful participation in the project.
ii. To provide relevant legal information to the DREAMS participants through different platforms
iii. To conduct capacity-building sessions for government officials and other stakeholders at village, ward, district, and regional levels.
iv. To conduct due diligence and needs assessment for the project beneficiaries
v. To provide legal services to the project beneficiaries, including consultations, drafting legal documents, filling forms, accompanying, and representation in court and other relevant governmental and non-governmental entities.
vi. Organize and conduct legal aid clinics and outreach activities.
vii. Engage with authorities and other service providers to find solutions to legal challenges faced by the DREAMS participants.
viii. Identify, train and supervise Community Outreach Fellows who will support outreach activities.
nafasi za kaziix. Participate in weekly, monthly or quarterly (as the case may be) coordination meetings with DIGNITY Kwanza and/or other DREAMS partners.
x. Participate in developing legal aid and legal education tools and information materials.
xi. Prepare and share periodic project reports as per schedule.
xii. Handle and report on all administrative and financial matters of the DIGNITY Kwanza, Ulyankulu office.
xiii. Handle any other task relevant to the DREAMS Project and DIGNITY Kwanza’s general mission as assigned by the supervisor.

About you:

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DIGNITY Kwanza’s core values as stipulated below:
i. Respect for human dignity: we apply a human rights approach in all our engagements with our people.
ii. We seek to excel in what we do: We uphold the highest ethical standards (integrity, accountability, professionalism, and transparency) in the conduct of our affairs.
iii. We value the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives: We acknowledge that everyone has potential and we work with our clients to find ways to realize theirs.
iv. We are solution-oriented, innovative, and resilient: We do not give up easily, even in the toughest situations we proactively think inside and outside the box to search for answers.
v. We care for our employees: We create and nurture a culture that enables our staff to have a healthy work-life balance, career advancement, and decent life.
vi. We embrace diversity: We seize the opportunity to learn new ideas from those different from us and share our values with them.

Qualification and Experience:

The Applicant must have/be:
i. A University degree in Law, must be a practicing Advocate registered lawyer under the legal association/Member of the Tanganyika Law Society.
ii. At least two years of work experience in legal services within an NGO
iii. Ability to work in challenging environments and meet deadlines.
iv. Flexible, team player and independent.
v. Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work both independently and within a team.
vi. Integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to consistently meet deadlines under pressure.
vii. Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures.
viii. Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English and Swahili.

Added Advantage:

ix. Experience working in the humanitarian context.
x. Experience applying an integrated approach to protection.
xi. Knowledge of the local context is an advantage.

Hours and Location of Work:
The legal officer will be based in Ulyankulu Old Settlement, Kaliua district, Tabora Region. Candidates should be able to work at least 40 hours per week (Full-time).

Instructions to Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume via email to info@dignitykwanza.org In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, and how this position fits into your career plans. Apply no later than 4th June 2024.