Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Legal Officer at Widows and Orphans Empowerment Organization (WEWE)

Widows and Orphans Empowerment Organization (WEWE) is a legally registered incorporated Trustee, a local not-for-profit, faith-based Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Legal Officer

Location: Port Harcourt, Rivers
Employment Type: Full-time

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• S/he will adhere to Gender-Based Violence (GBV) guiding principles to ensure the safety of the survivors and their children; respect the confidentiality of the information provided by Gender-Based Violence (GBV) survivors
• Conduct interviews in private settings maintain a non-judgmental manner and respect the survivor's decision.
• S/he will provide legal counseling for GBV survivors regarding potential avenues of legal response; and respect the right to be informed on the details of the legal procedures, including available options, time frame, and the consequences.
• S/he will provide and facilitate legal access to all GBV survivors who opt for legal action including accompanying and escorting GBV survivors to the Police station and Court whenever requested by ensuring GBV survivors and witnesses summoned to court attend court sessions;
• S/he will respect the right to legal aid, including the right to refuse legal aid at any time prior or -depending on the type of crime committed- during the legal process.
• S/he will coordinate with the Prosecutor, pre-court legal counseling, and preparation support to GBV survivors, witnesses, and medical experts before court sessions
• S/he will continually update the GBV officer about the survivors’ case and link the survivor with the caseworker for ongoing psychosocial support or referral to additional services.
• S/he will monitor the GBV survivor’s overall security risk as a result of pursuing legal action and also ensure the survivor is protected against any risks of further offense that the alleged offender may cause and also ensures that security concerns of the survivors are met.
• S/he in collaboration with the GBV Team to monitor the situation of the survivor even after the finalization of legal proceedings to prevent retaliation or secondary victimization at the hands of the perpetrator, as well as to address stigmatization by the community.
• S/he will be conducting legal information dissemination for both the facilities and at the community level to increase awareness in preventing and responding to GBV incidents.
• S/he will assist in the preparation and submission of timely weekly, and monthly quality reports and donor reports as per the donor requirements.
• S/he will support and work closely with the GBV Team on program data collection.
• S/he will assist in following up on cases with law enforcement bodies to ensure that the rights of the survivor are promoted and protected throughout the legal process.
• S/he will participate in coordination meetings with Legal actors so as to smoothen the process of access to legal justice for GBV survivors.
• Perform other task that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (L.LB and B.L)
• Must possess a second-class upper (2.1) /Upper credit or above
• Additional professional certifications or postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.

Experience and Requirement:

• Minimum of 1-2 years working experience in a private law firm or the field of law
• Very strong report-writing skills
• Strong computer skills
• Ability to work long hours when needed
• Strong analytical and research skills
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills
• Technology suave i.e. ability to use social media handles, the internet send email, etc
• An indigene of Rivers State would be an added advantage.

Application Closing Date
26th February, 2024.