Free Legal Aid Program Manager

Job Summary

The Free Legal Aid Program Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating EWLA’s legal aid and legal affairs programs. The role provides strategic legal leadership, oversees litigation and legal representation, manages legal aid services across regional offices, ensures compliance with legal and organizational requirements, strengthens stakeholder partnerships, and supervises the effective delivery of quality, accessible, and client-centered legal aid services.

Academic Qualification

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Law.

Experience

• Minimum of 5–7 years of relevant work experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate all legal aid and legal affairs activities of the organization.
• Develop, review, and implement legal policies, procedures, manuals, guidelines, and strategic initiatives.
• Provide strategic legal advice to the Executive Director, management, and the Board on legal, regulatory, and policy matters.
• Represent the organization before courts, administrative tribunals, and other relevant institutions.
• Oversee litigation activities, including preparation of pleadings, legal briefs, appeals, and other legal documents.
• Handle complex legal cases and promote strategic litigation and alternative dispute resolution where appropriate.
• Conduct legal research and provide legal opinions on legislation affecting the organization.
• Draft, review, and manage contracts and other legally binding documents.
• Monitor compliance with legal and statutory requirements and maintain updated legal records.
• Oversee and monitor legal aid services delivered through regional offices and volunteer committees.
• Identify service delivery gaps and implement measures to improve the quality and accessibility of legal aid services.
• Maintain information and records of legal aid professionals and coordinate support and recognition programs.
• Manage legal aid case management systems and ensure timely collection, maintenance, and reporting of case data.
• Participate in the recruitment, supervision, performance evaluation, promotion, transfer, and development of employees under the program.
• Serve as the organization's focal person on legal reform and collaborate with government institutions, courts, development partners, and other stakeholders.
• Support the documentation of best practices, legal publications, and organizational visibility initiatives.
• Recommend and coordinate external legal counsel when necessary.
• Prepare and manage the legal aid program budget.
• Prepare and submit periodic operational and program reports.
• Carry out other lawful duties assigned by the Executive Director or Deputy Director.

Required Competencies

• Strong legal research, analysis, and litigation skills.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and team management abilities.
• Strategic thinking and sound professional judgment.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• High level of professional ethics, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Flexible, adaptable, and agile in responding to changing circumstances.
• Ability to accept constructive criticism and maintain patience.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Skills Required:

• Legal / Law