Senior Executive Legal Officer at Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA)

Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA), Founded in March 1999 by Hon. Justice Fati Lami Abubakar, Nigeria’s former First Lady. WRAPA has intervened and touched the lives of abused women in Nigeria. We are a leading voice in the advocacy and campaign against Violence against Women (VAW) in all its ramifications and as host and member of a 55 member Coalition, we have engaged in Parliamentary Advocacy and Public Education towards the enactment of the Violence Against Person Prohibition Law. We have designed and coordinated projects and advocacy for increased political participation of women in Nigeria.

In 2003 WRAPA was a leading voice in the protests following the marginalization of women in political party primaries and in the run up to the 2007 elections WRAPA was responsible for the coordination of activities aimed at enhancing the performance of women in politics in the six states of the North Central Zone and the FCT. 

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Executive Legal Officer 

Location:  Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type:  Full -time

Role Summary

• The Senior Executive Legal Officer shall provide strategic legal and institutional oversight to WRAPA Legal Department by ensuring that the department operations, programmes, and partnerships comply with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks vis-à-vis WRAPA's overall operational legal frameworks.
• The role will lead the legal aid service delivery, legal advocacy initiatives, stakeholder engagement, policy influence, contract management, and institutional legal risk management.
• The Senior Executive Officer will also contribute to strengthening access to justice mechanisms for women, girls, and vulnerable groups while supporting WRAPA's broader mission of advancing gender equity and social justice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on Legal Advisory and Institutional Compliance
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), partnership agreements, and other legal instruments to safeguard WRAPA's interests.
• Represent WRAPA in legal proceedings, mediations, negotiations, dispute resolution, and ensure a robust defence in advocacy for women’s rights.
• Conduct legal training sessions for staff to ensure they understand relevant laws, rights, and obligations.
• Monitor legislative and policy developments affecting women’s rights, civic space, and social justice.
• Facilitate WRAPA external stakeholder engagements, workshops, public forums, and legal awareness initiatives
• Implement WRAPA legal advocacy initiatives aimed at legal reforms to protect and empower women
• Engage government institutions, justice sector actors, civil society organizations, and relevant stakeholders on legal and policy matters.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of information systems relating to judicial actors, legal institutions, case management, and justice sector stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognized institution, Master of Laws (LL.M.), or relevant postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
• Membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is mandatory.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years post-call legal practice experience.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate effectively with WRAPA Teams and stakeholders.
• Experience working with NGOs, development organizations, advocacy groups, or public interest law institutions is highly required.
• Experience in women’s rights, gender justice, human rights, or social justice programming is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of the Nigerian legal system, particularly family law, human rights law, gender legislation, and NGO regulatory frameworks
• Certification in Human Rights Law, Gender Studies, ADR, Compliance, or related fields will be an advantage.
• Proven experience in handling litigation, contract law, and regulatory compliance matters is mandatory.
• Excellent legal drafting, interpretation, and contract negotiation skills.
• Strong commitment to advancing gender equity and social justice
• Ability to provide sound legal advice that can guide WRAPA on all legal intricates on decision making, leadership capabilities, and legal cases.

Physical Requirements:

• The position is primarily sedentary, involving extensive desk work, computer use, and document review vis-à-vis extended periods of sitting during meetings, court appearances, or consultations.

Working Conditions

• The senior Executive Legal Officer will work four (4) days on-site and one day remotely (however, work exigencies and prompt agencies may require full physical presence at the office or designated location).
• Must be available for all engagement (both physically & virtual) and proactive in responding to emails and all official correspondence.
• Work location and hours are primarily office-based with standard working hours; peculiar changes would be subject to work exigencies, nature of the case, or project demands.
• Client Interaction: Frequent engagement with vulnerable groups, including women seeking legal protection, which involves handling sensitive and emotionally challenging cases.
• Collaborative Environment: Requires working closely with WRAPA advocacy, program, and management team, as well as external counsel and partners.
• The role may involve working under pressure with tight deadlines, especially during legal proceedings or urgent advocacy campaigns.

Direct Reports:
The Senior Executive Legal Officer supervises the following positions;

• Executive Legal Officers
• Legal Assistant
• Paralegals
• Interns or Legal Volunteers (as assigned).

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and statement of interest with confirmation to: recruitment@wrapanigeria.org using “Senior Executive Legal Officer” as the subject of the mail.