Head Legal Department

Head Legal Department

Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda
Contract: End of March 2014, likely to be extended, dependent on further projects 

Closing date: July 24th, 2013.
Starting date: August 1st – 2nd(orientation), August 5th (first working day).

Summary
MJ4All is a Netherlands based non-governmental organization that seeks to enhance the ‘access to rights’ for vulnerable groups in the South. It does so primarily by raising awareness about the need to be registered (e.g. birth, civil registration, property registration), by providing direct support (legal consults and arranging legal documents) to persons that have difficulties accessing the procedures; and by advocating for pro-poor policies and (simplified) procedures. 

Currently, MJ4All coordinates programs in Serbia, Croatia, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda and is seeking to expand its Microjustice network. In Rwanda and Uganda, MJ4All has partnered with Microjustice Rwanda (MJR) for the implementation of a cross-border trade pilot project within the framework of the East African Community (EAC). MJRis looking for a Head of the Legal Department to be responsible for the legal components of a specialized Microjustice EAC cross-border trade project and the set-up of the regular Microjustice program.

Microjustice Rwanda (MJR) is a Rwandan organization, set up in 2011. MJR is looking for a Head of the Legal Department that is responsible for the legal component and knowledge of two projects:
1) The legal components of a specialized Microjustice project namely the cross-border trade pilot project (“Microjustice for EAC Integration and the Free Movement of Persons and Goods across Borders in Rwanda and Uganda”) that is funded by Trademark East Africa (TMEA). This project is implemented by Microjustice Rwanda and a Microjustice team inUganda. The projectultimately aims to increase cross-border trade by reducing trade-related costs and removing Non-Tariff Barriers through:
a. Providing direct support to small traders at the Gatuna/Katuna border through legal consults on cross-border procedures and requirements for persons and goods, complaint-handling and directly resolving problematic cases at the border;
b. Organising awareness-raising activities and legal trainings about the requirements for cross-border trade together with partner organizations;
c. Conduct an ongoing NTB surveys in order to gain bottom-up insights into Non-Tariff Barriers at the Gatuna/Katuna border
2) For the legal components of theregular Microjusticeprogram (funded by Allen &Overy) that is to be set-up in the immediate future. This program aims to facilitate access to justice through the direct provision of basic legal services to two client groups: vulnerable people, the so-called ‘bottom of the pyramid’ and the emerging middle-class. The legal part of the set-up of this program will primarily consist of:
a. A needs assessment and thorough context analysis (including research into the operational legal context in Rwanda);
b. The development and distribution of Microjustice standardized ‘legal products’ (ie. legal documents necessary to increase access to justice and help people become self-sufficient), most likely in Gicumbi district as well as Kigali.  
c.  The design and implementation of an awareness-raising campaign and legal trainings to educate the MJR clientele about their legal rights underlying the legal products developed.

Scope of Work

General
• Responsible for timely and quality project progress and implementation reports for submission to MJR Program Manager and MJ4All Regional Coordinator East Africa (in accordance with reporting procedures);
• Ensure effective liaison and maintain good communication with (legal) partners and other  stakeholders including NGOs, TMEA, NMC together with MJR Program Manager.
• Supervision of the Legal Department of Microjustice Rwanda and undertake tasks in accordance with the work-plans;
• Responsible for legal components of both Microjustice Rwanda projects in cooperation with MJR staff and MJ4All consultants.

Training
• Provide legal guidance and training to members of theMJR team and if needed the Microjustice team members in Uganda to ensure that the entire team is aware of all necessary procedures and requirements of cross-border trade within the EAC framework;
• Keep the team updated on changes in EAC and Rwandan laws and policies relevant to cross-border trade;
• Develop the content of the legal trainings for both projects;
• If necessary, help organize legal trainings, workshops, visits and other activities.

Awareness-raising
• Develop the content of the awareness-raising campaigns of both projects.

Research and Product Development
• Legal research about cross-border trade and access to justice in Rwanda;
• Help with the needs assessment and context analysis for the new project funded by Allen &Overy;
• Provide legal analysis of the findings from the NTB survey;
• Develop new standardized legal products.

Case Management
• Supervise the case management cycle of the newly developed standardized legal products.

Qualifications
• 3 to 5 years legal work experience preferably in the field of EAC law, trade law and/or business-law;
• At minimum a BA in law;
• Excellent knowledge of Rwandan law (specifically related to cross-border trade) and legal infrastructure as well as EAC law and legal infrastructure;
• Experience conducting legal and literature research as well as legal analysis of survey findings;
• Ability to quickly find answers to legal questions raised by the MJR team;
• Experience in designing awareness-raising campaigns and legal trainings; 
• Experience working with or in international and donor organizations with implementation of participatory projects;
• Good multi-cultural and interpersonal skills will experience in networking with partners at all levels (ministry, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community based organizations); 
• Team-player and flexible attitude and creative-thinking abilities;
• Proven written, analytical, presentation and reporting skills; 
• Fluency in spoken and written English, preferably a working knowledge of French;
• Preferably experience working in East Africa, and living in Rwanda.

The position is a full-time position for a gross amount of 463680 RWF per month. 

To apply, please send a CV and cover letter to: MJR Program Manager EloiRutaganira(eloiziggy@yahoo.ca) and MJR Project Coordinator& M&E Officer Christine Mukangoboka (chrismirose0@yahoo.fr) with “Head Legal Department MJR” as the subject line. Please ensure your CV contains full contact details, including a telephone number.