Job Description

Terms of Reference: Consultancy: for Case management and coaching lawyers, paralegals and community-based paralegals.

1. Project Background 

The University of Hargeisa, legal Aid clinic (LAC), in collaboration with International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and other consortium members, is promoting a reformed and modernized Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) system through the establishment and operationalization of a new ADR Centre in Somaliland under the Program 'Strengthening the social contracts through access to justice" funded by the Government of the Netherlands (Also known as Damal Programme). The programme aims to foster the social contract in Somaliland by increasing the legitimacy of justice institutions.

The overall goal of the programme is expected to be achieved through three (3) intermediate outcomes: (1) improved access to an Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR) mechanism and referral pathways, especially for vulnerable groups; (2) enhanced access to formal justice for vulnerable groups through holistic support to gender-based violence (GBV) survivors and affected communities; and (3) increased participation of citizens in Somaliland in accountability processes relating to the provision of security and justice. The specific mandate of each Centre is to facilitate the practice of ADR and settle claims and disputes at the community level, facilitating and increasing access to justice for the local population, particularly vulnerable categories.

About Legal Aid Clinic

The University if Hargeisa LAC is an autonomous statutory body established by the University of Hargeisa College of Law in 2002. The objective of the Legal Aid is to render or make available legal assistance to poor and disadvantaged persons in Somaliland as contemplated in the Constitution of the Republic of Somaliland, which guarantees every citizen to avoidable access to justice.

The legal aid clinic provides assistance to economically disadvantaged individuals within the boundaries of Somaliland. However, the legal clinic provides legal service on the matters that fall within the legal arena of criminal law civil law, human rights, and access to justice and child and women unit. Through this clinical work, students are expected to improve their skills in respect to interviewing, counseling, and mediation skills, and research writing skills.

1. Objective Of the Assignment.

The main objectives of the lawyers coaching, and case management service are to provide guidance and support to lawyers in improving their legal skills, knowledge, and professional development, and to optimize case management processes and enhance efficiency in handling legal cases, and to facilitate continuous learning and skill enhancement among lawyers to meet the evolving demands of the legal profession,

The second objective of the of the coaching program for paralegals and community-based paralegals are to strengthen the capacity of paralegals to provide legal assistance, support, and advice to individuals and communities, to empower community-based paralegals to engage in grassroots advocacy, community mobilization, and legal empowerment. initiatives.

1. Key functions and responsibilities

• Conducting coaching sessions with individual lawyers to assess their needs, set goals, and develop action plans for professional development.
• Providing guidance and advice on legal strategies, case analysis, research methodologies, and courtroom advocacy techniques.
• Offering training workshops, seminars, and webinars on various legal topics, case management tools, and best practices.
• Implementing case management systems and tools to streamline workflow, track case progress, and manage deadlines effectively.
• Monitoring and evaluating the performance and progress of lawyers through regular assessments and feedback sessions.
• Collaborating with legal teams and stakeholders to ensure effective communication, coordination, and collaboration in case handling.
• Monitor the progress and outcomes of the coaching and case management service and make necessary adjustments as required by Lawyers.
• Conducting needs assessments and capacity assessments to identify the training needs and priorities of paralegals and community-based paralegals.
• Offering technical assistance, guidance, and resources to support community-based paralegals in advocating for the rights and interests of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
• Deliverring  coaching sessions and training workshops, for the community based paralegals and paralegals.

1. About the position.

University of Hargeisa, legal aid clinic is seeking a short-term national consultant, who will be closely working with the legal aid clinic of Hargeisa University (LAC). The consultant will be part of the access to justice project funded by IDLO and he/she will be responsible for conducting coaching sessions with individual lawyers to assess their needs, set goals, and develop action plans for professional development and offering training workshops, seminars, and webinars on various legal topics, case management tools, and best practices, for the lawyers, paralegals, and community-based paralegals.

1. Expected key deliverables:

• Two-page inception report detailing the proposed methodology and agreed work plan submitted within 5 days from the date of signing the Contract.
• Detailed implementation plan for the consultancy for the assignment of lawyer coaching and capacity building for the paralegals and community-based paralegals (M&E, CRFM and travel policy).
• Weekly reports providing updates from training (such as composition of attendees, notable discussions or reflections), to be submitted to the PM every Monday morning. Reports will be a minimum of 2 pages and are to be submitted in electronically in Microsoft Word format. Sample template will be provided.
• Report on all consultation workshops carried out. This should describe the consultation process followed and outcomes.
• Submit a work completion report.

Experiences and Qualifications

Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in LAW specifically Criminal and civil laws.
• Proven experience in coaching case level and providing guidance and advice on legal strategies, case analysis, research methodologies, and courtroom advocacy techniques.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex technical information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Language skills

Fluency in oral and writing for both Somali and English

Skills & Personal Attributes.  

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and team working skills

Highly approachable, trustworthy and confidential 

Skills Required

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