Paralegal Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

 Position:                            Para-Legal Officer

Number of position:         3 positions (1 position for each Janakpur, Hetauda & Kanchanpur offices)

Based in:                           Janakpur, Hetauda, & Kanchanpur

Reports to:                       District Director/ Attorney-In-Charge of concern region.

Coordinates with:              Legal Director

Contract type:                  Annual contract; initial contract will be in effect until 31 December 2014, and annual extension will be provided subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

 ILF-Nepal seeks qualified, dynamic and results oriented Nepalese citizen applicants for one (1) open position for Para-Legal officer to work in each Janakpur (Dhanusha), Hetauda (Makawanpur) and Kanchanpur district.  ILF-Nepal provides free legal representation to poor men, women, and children who cannot afford counsel and who are accused of crimes in Nepal.  ILF-Nepal stresses a client-oriented approach to criminal defense, seeking open-minded, creative and compassionate advocates who are dedicated to providing high-quality defense for poor people.

Duties and Responsibilities:

            During the Employment Term, the Paralegal will serve as an advocate of the Employer. In such capacity, the Paralegal will be responsible for assisting advocates to provide criminal defense services for indigent clients before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. The Paralegal will perform such duties, services and responsibilities on behalf of the Employer consistent with the terms of reference outlined below and as may be reasonably assigned to the Paralegal from time to time.

            During the Employment Term, the Paralegal will devote his full business time, attention and skill to the performance of such duties, services and responsibilities, and will use his best efforts to promote the interests of the Employer, and the Paralegal will not engage in any other business activity without the approval of his or her direct supervisor.

 The successful candidate shall:

The Paralegal will assist and provide a wide range of legal support and administration to advocates related to the representation of criminally accused persons before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies.

 Specific Paralegal duties include, but are not limited to:

• Have to go to the detention center to intake and initial interviews for new clients. 
• Able to contract or intake new clients. 
• Assisting with preparation of and filing applications;
• Well informed of current legal trends and to do research on legal issues as requested.
• Organizing documents and assisting advocates in preparation for hearings and trial;
• Going to court on a regular basis to wait for or meet and intake clients, and to obtain copies of witness testimony and decisions of the court, court files, orders, etc.; 
• Keeping track of court dates and making sure that advocates are informed about courtdates;
• Gathering information from advocates and the court to enhance and maintain the current motions bank by filing and organizing applications and court orders by legal issue or subject.

In fulfilling [his/her] duties, the Paralegal agrees:

• To abide by the Nepali rules of ethical conduct for lawyers; 
• Attend CLE seminars regularly and other activities ILF-Nepal deems necessary and important; 
• Not to use ILF-Nepal offices for political activities or on behalf of a political candidate; 
• To limit use of e-mail for personal reasons and not to abuse the internet for non-ILF matters; 
• That he or she will not engage in the private practice of law other than to the extent authorized to assist ILF-Nepal advocates, whether for compensation or on a volunteer basis or other employment without prior permission from the ILF-Nepal country director; 
• Not to accept gifts or money or other in-kind exchanges for services rendered to clients.

 Qualifications

Required:

• Law degree and advocate’s license required. 
• Knowledge about Court process. 
• Have knowledge of handling criminal cases as defense prospective. 
• Commitment to the idea of free legal assistance for any poor person accused of any crime required. 
• Commitment to providing meaningful defense in practice from the moment of arrest required. 
• Good Computer skill with fluent in English and Nepali Typing. 
• Candidate must be from local or its neighboring districts of each districts. 
• Knowledge of local language is essential.

Salary: 23,000/per month before taxes (for 3-month probationary period) - 25,000/per month before taxes upon successful completion of the probationary period.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are requested to send their CV (including contact telephone number) and a cover letter to the email or address below, on or before 25th April, 2014.

Email address:

vacancy@ilf-n.org

Note: please mention application for paralegal officer with concern office name in the subject line.

Mailing address:

HR Department

ILF-Nepal

Surya Marg, House # 19

Babar Mahal, Kathmandu

Post Box: 26461

• Only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted for interview. 
• Interviews will be conducted during the last week of April 2014. 
• The successful candidate is expected to start work during the first week of May 2014.

 ILF-Nepal is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, caste, gender, ethnicity, etc. Women, Dalits, Janjati and other minorities are encouraged to apply.