- 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 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 line with this legacy, Kituo spearheads two flagship initiatives that anchor its current programming. First, Kituo convenes the Refugee Access to Work and Inclusion – Eastern Africa (RAWI–EA) coalition in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee which advocates for policy reforms and practical pathways to enable refugees to access decent work, higher education, and regulated professions, thereby advancing their socioeconomic integration. Second, through a strategic partnership with Justice Ventures International (JVI), Kituo implements the HAKI Mashinani project, which embeds community justice centers within informal settlements to tackle extreme injustices, strengthen community paralegal systems, and combat labor migration abuses and human trafficking through direct legal aid and public awareness campaigns.
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.
To support delivery across these focus areas, Kituo Cha Sheria seeks to engage a Programme Officer (PO) who will provide legal aid and litigation support while contributing to programme design and implementation, community engagement, resource mobilization, and stakeholder partnerships aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives.
- PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The purpose of the position is to provide legal advice, representation and litigation support to clients, while providing programmatic support in planning, implementation, community engagement and mobilization, fundraising, and stakeholder partnerships across KITUO’s programme areas. The holder will be assigned to a project or thematic area based on organizational need. The Programme Officer will be expected to provide substantive support to these ongoing projects particularly the RAWI-EA coalition and the HAKI Mashinani/JVI partnership by managing casework, coordinating community outreach, and contributing to donor reporting and project documentation.
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.
- KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The duties of the Assistant Programme Officer – Migration Justice and Governance are:
- Programme Support
- Assist in the planning, coordination and execution of programme activities, including legal aid clinics, awareness forums, workshops and trainings targeting refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs and host communities.
- Support the programme team in case management, including maintaining client records, following up on referrals and liaising with relevant stakeholders.
- Provide legal information and guidance to clients under the supervision of the Programme Officer/Legal Officer, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality and adherence to organizational policy.
- Assist in the development of work plans, activity schedules and implementation strategies, ensuring timely delivery of outputs.
- Contribute to the preparation of programme reports, proposals and concept notes for internal use and donor submission.
- Attend and take notes at relevant working group meetings on behalf of the programme, as delegated.
- Administration and Logistics
- Organize logistics for meetings, trainings and field activities, including venue booking, travel arrangements, invitations and documentation.
- Maintain programme filing systems, both hard copy and digital, to ensure easy retrieval of information.
- Draft and manage correspondence with partners, beneficiaries and stakeholders, as directed by the Programme Officer/manager
- Provide administrative support in procurement processes in line with organizational policies.
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Support
- Support the collection, entry and analysis of data for monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Participate in conducting surveys, needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to inform programme interventions.
- Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports highlighting progress, challenges and recommendations.
- Document success stories, case studies, lessons learned and best practices for programme visibility and learning.
- Finance Support
- Assist in preparing activity budgets, fund requisitions and liquidations in accordance with finance procedures to ensure seamless programme delivery.
- Ensure accurate and timely submission of accountability documents, including receipts and participant lists.
- Work closely with the finance department to support proper utilization and reporting of programme funds.
- Legal Aid and Client Support
- Support client screening and preliminary assessment of legal needs for refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, stateless persons and victims of trafficking.
- Assist in the provision of legal aid, information and guidance to clients in accordance with Kituo’s policies and procedures, under supervision.
- Support identification of cases suitable for legal intervention, litigation or referral, and escalate them to the assigned Legal Officer/Programme Officer.
- Provide legal advice, information and guidance to clients seeking assistance from Kituo.
- Provide direct legal aid, case management, and representation for victims of extreme injustices, labor migration abuses, and human trafficking under the HAKI Mashinani project, including coordinating with community justice centers and supporting the community paralegal network in informal settlements.
- Support the drafting of basic correspondence and preparation of documentation for pending cases.
- Accompany and support the Legal Officer during court attendance where required, and assist in maintaining accurate case records.
- Maintain confidentiality and ensure that client matters are handled professionally and ethically.
- Safeguarding Support
- Support the safeguarding focal point in awareness-raising and training activities, particularly for interns, volunteers and community paralegals.
- Assist in the use of the safeguarding reporting tool and in recording reported safeguarding concerns in line with organizational procedures.
- Participate in relevant safeguarding coordination meetings and working groups as delegated.
- Community Paralegal Training and Legal Aid Outreach
- Support the planning and logistics of training for community and prison-based paralegals.
- Participate in legal aid outreaches, mobile clinics and fact-finding activities in support of legal aid, litigation or programme interventions.
- Assist in the preparation of training and outreach materials for paralegals and community members.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Support coordination and communication with community partners, local leaders, civil society organizations and government agencies.
- Represent the programme at community events and meetings as delegated by the Programme Officer/manager.
- Assist in the production of IEC materials, newsletters and reports to enhance programme visibility.
- Other Duties
- Perform any other duties assigned by Management from time to time.
- REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Academic & Professional Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from a recognized institution.
- Enrollment in or completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Law will be an added advantage.
- Admission as an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, or evidence of progress towards admission, will be an added advantage.
- Additional training in human rights, refugee law, migration governance, safeguarding or related areas, or relevant certificates, will be an added advantage.
- Required Experience
- Minimum of Two (2) year relevant professional, internship or pupillage experience, preferably within an NGO, human rights or legal aid environment.
- Exposure to or interest in working with refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, stateless persons and other forcibly displaced or marginalized communities.
- Demonstrated ability to provide administrative and logistical support for programme implementation.
- Basic experience in data collection, entry and reporting for programme monitoring and evaluation.
- Knowledge of and commitment to human rights, access to justice, migration governance and community empowerment.
- Experience supporting donor-funded project activities, including budgeting and accountabilities, will be an added advantage.
- Knowledge, Skills & Competencies
- Sound legal knowledge with an ability to conduct basic legal research and support document drafting.
- Good organizational and administrative skills, including documentation and record-keeping.
- Good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to relate well with clients and community members.
- Basic data collection, data entry and reporting skills.
- Ability to work under supervision while showing initiative and attention to detail.
- High level of integrity, discretion and professionalism, particularly when working with vulnerable or sensitive cases.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- Willingness to travel to field sites, community areas and partner meetings as required.
- 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.
- Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow professionally within the organization.
- Demonstrates reliability, timeliness and sound judgment in carrying out assigned tasks.
- REPORTING & SUPERVISION
- The Assistant Programme Officer will report directly to the Programme Officer/Legal Officer, and ultimately to the Programme Manager for the Migration Justice and Governance programme.
The Officer will work closely with:
- Programme teams
- Other Programme Officers and Legal Officers
- Legal Assistants and other Assistant Programme Officers
- Community volunteers, paralegals 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.
- EXPECTED OUTPUTS
- Programme Support Outputs
- Legal aid clinics, forums, workshops and trainings supported as planned.
- Updated case management records, referrals and stakeholder liaison notes.
- Administration & Logistics Outputs
- Well-organized logistics for meetings, trainings and field activities.
- Up-to-date programme filing systems, hard copy and digital.
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Outputs
- Accurate and timely M&E data collected, entered and compiled.
- Documented case studies, success stories and lessons learned.
- Finance Support Outputs
- Accurate and timely activity budgets and accountability documents.
- Legal Aid & Client Support Outputs
- Timely, accurate client screening and support to legal aid provision.
- Accurate and up-to-date client files and case records.
- Safeguarding Outputs
- Support to safeguarding awareness, training and reporting activities documented.
- Community Paralegal Training & Legal Aid Outreach Outputs
- Legal aid outreach and paralegal training activities supported as scheduled.
- Stakeholder Engagement Outputs
- Active engagement with community partners, CSOs and government agencies documented.
- Meeting records and partnership updates maintained.
- Reporting & Project Outputs
- Monthly, quarterly, and donor report inputs submitted on time.
- Updated activity logs, monitoring records, and case/impact data.
- Compliance with project indicators and targets.
- 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 Assistant 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
- 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
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.