PROGRAMME OFFICER

Kenya
Administrative
Full Time
Kituo Cha Sheria-Legal Advice Centre

PROGRAMME OFFICER (LEGAL EMPOWERMENT AND AID PROGRAMME – LEAP)

  1. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Kituo Cha Sheria-Legal Advice Centre (hereinafter referred to as “KITUO”) is a national non-governmental organization established in 1973 to empower the poor and marginalized and to enhance equity and access to justice for all. Over the decades, Kituo has grown into a nationally recognized institution offering free legal aid services, advancing public interest litigation, and empowering communities through legal education and paralegal training. As a result, KITUO carved its niche in the areas of land, labour, housing and other areas of law as far as they relate to the human and people’s rights of the poor and marginalized. KITUO has a dedicated and highly qualified and competent team comprising professionals within the organization and its closely-knit networks of volunteer advocates and paralegals across the country. Kituo operates through a multidisciplinary approach that blends legal representation, community mobilization, research & knowledge management, grassroots capacity-building, and institutional advocacy.

In the current strategic plan (2026-2030), KITUO’s operations will be guided by six focus areas namely: Land, Climate and Environmental Justice; Governance Justice and Rule of Law; Migration Justice and governance; Legal Aid and Empowerment; Economic and Social Justice; Organizational Development and Sustainability.

The Legal Empowerment and Aid Programme (LEAP) is a flagship programme of KITUO and seeks to enhance access to justice for poor, vulnerable and marginalized communities by providing quality legal aid, rights education and legal empowerment initiatives that strengthen their capacity to claim and defend their rights. LEAP delivers this mandate through the provision of direct legal advice, assistance and representation to walk-in and outreach clients; strategic public interest litigation to secure systemic remedies for communities affected by evictions, unlawful detention, denial of documentation and other rights violations; operation of legal aid clinics and mobile outreaches across the country; and the recruitment, training, accreditation and welfare support of community paralegals who extend legal aid to the grassroots. LEAP is KITUO’s principal mechanism for undertaking public interest litigation work in support of human rights protection, removal of barriers to access to justice, democracy and rule of law promotion in Kenya and beyond. LEAP further supports the establishment and strengthening of community and prison-based Social Justice Centres, promotes the use of Alternative and Traditional Dispute Resolution mechanisms, and contributes to policy and legal reform in line with KITUO’s mission of advancing legal empowerment, access to justice and human rights for all.

To support delivery across these focus areas, Kituo Cha Sheria seeks to engage a Programme Officer (PO- LEAP) who will provide legal aid and litigation services while contributing to programme design and implementation, community engagement, resource mobilization, and stakeholder partnerships aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives. The position will be supported by an anticipated UNICEF-supported project which will seek to provide legal aid and assistance to vulnerable target groups in seven counties in Kenya.

  1. PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The purpose of the position is to provide legal advice, representation and litigation services to clients, while providing programmatic support in planning, implementation, community engagement and mobilization, fundraising, and stakeholder partnerships primarily under LEAP and across KITUO’s programme areas. The position holder will be an integral member of KITUO’s public interest litigation team. Further, the holder will be assigned to a project or thematic area based on organizational need.

In addition, the position contributes to community empowerment through legal aid outreach, public education, and capacity-building of community paralegals. The Programme Officer supports case management, project planning, donor reporting, and stakeholder engagement that inform institutional learning and organizational growth.

Ultimately, the Programme Officer is responsible for ensuring that Kituo Cha Sheria’s legal and programme interventions are professional, client-centred, rights-based, and aligned with the organization’s mission of advancing social justice, human dignity, and equitable access to justice.

  1. KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties of the Programme Officer- LEAP are:

  1. Legal Aid and Client Support
  2. Provide legal advice, information and guidance to clients seeking assistance from Kituo.
  3. Conduct client screening and assessment of legal needs.
  • Provide legal aid services to vulnerable and marginalized clients in accordance with Kituo’s policies and procedures.
  1. Identify cases suitable for legal intervention, litigation, referral or other appropriate mechanisms.
  2. Maintain confidentiality and ensure that client matters are handled professionally and ethically.
  3. Follow up on client cases and provide appropriate updates on progress and next steps.
  4. Litigation and Court Representation
  5. Manage and follow up on assigned litigation matters to ensure that cases progress effectively and within applicable timelines.
  6. Draft pleadings, affidavits, submissions, applications and other legal documents.
  • Attend court regularly and represent clients in assigned matters.
  1. Monitor court proceedings and provide timely updates to the Programme on case developments.
  2. Prepare case reports and maintain accurate records of litigation matters.
  3. Identify new cases and matters requiring public interest litigation or other legal intervention.
  4. Programme Support
  5. Support the planning, coordination and implementation of programme activities, including legal aid clinics, awareness forums, workshops and trainings.
  6. Support case management, including maintenance of client records, referrals and liaison with relevant stakeholders.
  • Provide legal information and guidance to clients under appropriate professional and organizational procedures.
  1. Contribute to the development of programme workplans, activity schedules and implementation strategies.
  2. Contribute to the preparation of programme reports, proposals and concept notes.
  3. Participate in relevant programme working groups and meetings.
  4. Legal Research and Programme Documentation
  5. Conduct legal research on issues relevant to Kituo’s programmes and areas of intervention.
  6. Support the preparation of legal and programme documents.
  • Document case studies, success stories, lessons learned and emerging legal issues.
  1. Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning activities through collection and analysis of relevant programme information.
  2. Support the preparation of periodic programme reports highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations.
  3. Community Legal Aid and Capacity Building
  4. Participate in legal aid outreaches and community-based legal assistance activities.
  5. Conduct legal awareness and community empowerment activities.
  • Support the training and capacity building of community paralegals.
  1. Participate in fact-finding activities where required to support legal aid, litigation or programme interventions.
  2. Stakeholder Engagement
  3. Support coordination and communication with community partners, local leaders, civil society organizations and government agencies.
  4. Represent Kituo and the Programme in relevant stakeholder meetings and working groups as delegated.
  • Maintain effective working relationships with programme partners and other justice sector stakeholders.
  1. Support the development and dissemination of legal information and programme materials.
  2. Other Duties
  3. Perform any other duties assigned by Management from time to time.
  4. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  5. Academic & Professional Qualifications
  6. Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized institution.
  7. Postgraduate Diploma in Law from a recognized institution.
  • Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.
  1. Must have a current practicing certificate.
  2. Additional professional training in human rights, public interest litigation, safeguarding or related areas, or relevant certificates, will be an added advantage.
  3. Required Experience
  4. Minimum of  (3) years’ post-admission relevant professional experience, preferably within an NGO, human rights or legal aid environment.
  5. Demonstrable experience in litigation, legal aid and court representation.
  • Experience in programme support, community legal outreach and stakeholder engagement.
  1. Experience in training and capacity building of community paralegals will be an added advantage.
  2. Experience in safeguarding and/or working with vulnerable and marginalized communities will be an added advantage.
  3. Strong knowledge of human rights, access to justice and community empowerment.
  4. Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
  • Strong legal research, analysis, and drafting skills, including pleadings, affidavits and legal opinions.
  • Strong programme and project management skills, including planning, budgeting, and monitoring.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex legal issues for varied audiences, including community groups and vulnerable clients.
  • Strong community engagement, facilitation, and training skills.
  • Sound report writing and monitoring & evaluation skills.
  • Effective stakeholder management, networking, and representation skills.
  • Mentorship and capacity-building skills.
  • High level of integrity, discretion, and professionalism, particularly when working with vulnerable or sensitive cases.
  • Strong organizational and administrative skills, including documentation and record-keeping.
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
  1. BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES
  • Demonstrates passion for defending human rights, promoting equality, and challenging injustice.
  • Upholds strict ethical responsibility, confidentiality, and impartiality in handling sensitive matters.
  • Sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic, and identity-related differences among clients and communities.
  • Ability to work cooperatively with multidisciplinary teams—including programme staff, finance, and community partners.
  • Ability to assess risks, propose creative solutions, and respond effectively to emerging issues.
  • Demonstrates ability to take initiative, manage assignments independently, and represent the organization with confidence and professionalism.
  1. REPORTING & SUPERVISION
  • The Programme Officer will report directly to the Programme Manager, depending on the assigned project.

The Officer will work closely with:

  • Programme teams
  • Other Programme Officers
  • – Legal Assistants; Assistant Programme Officers
  • Community volunteers and partners
  • Administrative and finance teams
  • Regular performance reviews will be conducted to align responsibilities with organizational objectives and donor requirements.
  • The position may require travel to project sites, community areas, courts, and partner meetings as part of routine duties.
  1. EXPECTED OUTPUTS
  2. Legal Aid & Client Support Outputs
  • High-quality legal advice and support provided to clients in a timely manner.
  • Accurate and up-to-date client files and case records.
  1. Litigation & Court Outputs
  • Well-drafted pleadings, affidavits and submissions prepared on schedule.
  • Regular court attendance with accurate case progress reports.
  1. Programme Support Outputs
  • Legal aid clinics, forums, workshops and trainings conducted as planned.
  • Updated case management records, referrals and stakeholder liaison notes.
  1. Legal Research & Documentation Outputs
  • Legal research findings, case studies and lessons learned documented.
  • Programme reports capturing achievements, challenges and recommendations.
  1. Community Legal Aid & Capacity Building Outputs
  • Legal aid outreach and awareness activities conducted as scheduled.
  • Community paralegals trained with improved capacity.
  1. Stakeholder Engagement Outputs
  • Active engagement with community partners, CSOs and government agencies documented.
  • Meeting records and partnership updates maintained.
  1. Reporting & Project Outputs
  • Monthly, quarterly, and donor reports submitted on time.
  • Updated activity logs, monitoring records, and case/impact data.
  • Compliance with project indicators and targets.
  1. DURATION & REMUNERATION
  • This is a fixed-term contract position, renewable subject to performance, funding availability, and organizational needs.
  • Remuneration and benefits shall be determined in accordance with Kituo Cha Sheria’s salary structure for Programme Officers.

The role may include:

  • Health insurance (as per organizational policy)
  • Field travel allowances
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Access to training, workshops, and continuous learning activities
  1. APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements are invited to submit:

  • A detailed cover letter outlining their motivation and relevant experience
  • An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) with three (3) professional referees
  • Scanned academic and professional certificates
  • Upload current practicing certificate.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Human Resource Officer
Kituo Cha Sheria
Email: hr@kituochasheria.or.ke
Applications must be received by 26th August, 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To apply for this job email your details to hr@kituochasheria.or.ke.

Call: 0765104236

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