Legal Caseworker Jobs – ALIGHT

About the Organization

ALIGHT Uganda (formerly American Refugee Committee) is a Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) in Uganda involved in Education, Health, Human Rights, Humanitarian Aid & Emergency, Migration, Poverty Reduction, Security, Social Development sectors.

Job Description

ALIGHT, formerly the American Refugee Committee (ARC), is an international non-profit, non-sectarian organization that has provided humanitarian assistance and training to millions of beneficiaries over the last 40 years. In 2011, Alight helped nearly 2.5 million people get essential services to regain their health and take back control of their lives. Alight works with its partners and constituencies to provide opportunities and expertise to communities of refugees and internally displaced persons in seven countries in Africa, Asia and Europe, including Iraq, Kosovo, and in the Darfur region of Sudan and is currently providing for emergency relief and recovery in Haiti. Alight provides shelter, clean water and sanitation, health care, skills training, microcredit education, protection to help survivors of war and natural disasters to rebuild their lives with dignity, health care, security and self-sufficiency.
Job Summary: Hello Hello! Alight is recruiting Legal Caseworker (1 position) for our programs in Uganda to be based at various fieldsite of (Rwamwanja). You’re interested in joining us? Welcome, we’re happy you’re here!
If you join us, you will find…
A team with deep experience in co-designing solutions that create new value around the world. We know we need to always be better, and we believe in the power and abundance of everyday people, everywhere, to change the world with us.
A culture of radical accountability to our customers –as we help build a meaningful life for and with the displaced, we ask them what they want and then deliver on it.
Reporting to the Legal Assistant, the Legal Case worker will be responsible for providing support in the implementation of legal activities in the Legal sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct legal information sessions on the key laws of Uganda, Ugandan justice system, refugee rights and obligations, common offences and their punishments.
Receive & register LPP clients both at the protection desks.
Undertake initial interviews & summarize essential facts for sharing with the Legal officer.
Support in interviewing clients and witnesses and prepare relevant reports and Notes for Files (NFFs).
Accompany clients to record statements at police.
Provide support in basic Legal & Psychosocial counseling for clients.
Keep clients updated by communicating case progress
Provide, submit or make reports on any legal related issues in their communities/clusters on a daily, weekly and monthly basis depending on the urgency and priority.
Closely work with the legal officer/Assistant and notify them about any legal related concerns/issues within the community.
Collaborating with the RWC leaders, Community Legal Volunteers, police & other partners during case reporting, referrals, and follow up.
To Duly follow and abide by the country’s laws & policies while carrying out their obligations/duties in the community.
Immediate reporting of cases as and when they occur without discrimination.
Identification of “danger zones” or “hotspots” within the community where most of the crimes i.e. protection legal vices mainly occur.

Observe the code of conduct of Alight at the community as not and when at work.
Support activities that build awareness on Ugandan laws, refugee rights, obligations& justice system within the community for prevention commission of crimes.
Mobilize communities, identify, acknowledge and discuss local legal related protection issues through community dialogues/sensitization, door to door approach & peer to peer support groups.
Ensure accessibility to legal services/remedies is visible within the community and that persons of concern know where to seek for help/guidance if they experience or become aware of any legal related concern e.g. through Alight legal sector, the refugee helpline 0800323232, police, the referral pathways, etc.
Be a focal point within the community, through whom legal services/remedies can be accessed & brought nearer to the POCs, safely report cases of abuse, request information on services available and referral pathways without conflict of interest.
Engaging with communities at the grassroots level to help address the root causes of increased crimes such as physical assault, early marriages, domestic violence, etc. and increase vigilance at the community level. An empowered community group can be very influential in changing community practices and putting in place prevention systems.
Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisors.

Qualification, Experiences and Competencies

A minimum of a Diploma in Law from a recognized University.
Basic knowledge of the law is desirable

At least 1-year experience in advisory legal role in the refugee operation.
In addition to written and spoken English, fluency in Local Languages is an asset