Lawyers - (5 Positions)

Job Title: 5 positions (Lawyers), Joint Rule of Law Programme

Location: Hargeisa, Somaliland

Duration: 8 months.

Issue date: 21, April, 2024

Closing date: 10 May, 2024

About SLNHRC.

The Somaliland National Human Rights Commission (SLNHRC) is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament No. 39/2010 entitled “The Somaliland National Human Rights Commission Act”. The Act, which entered into force on December 2010 enacted the full establishment of the Commission, clarification of the mandate, functions and institutional structure of the Commission. The Act provides for the functional, operational and independence of the institution. The Act provides for the functions of the Commission include: investigating human rights violations, visiting places of detention to inspect and assess the conditions of the inmates, to create awareness and research and educate the communities on human rights, give advice and make recommendations to cabinet ministers and members of parliament (MPs) on the protection of human rights and basic freedoms and monitoring the human rights situation in the country. The Act further gives powers to the Commission to perform its functions to mediate, investigate and make decisions on human rights and related matters.

The Joint ROL Programme for Somaliland 2023-26 (JROLP II) is developed in alignment with the NPDIII 2023-27 Governance Pillar, Specifically, JROLP II will support the Government of Somaliland (GoSL) to contextualize and localize SDGs 5, 10 and 16 through strengthened security and rule of law systems that are inclusive, gender transformative, people-focused, and service-oriented. This will be bolstered with appropriate, feasible and measurable targets and supported with collection and consolidation of data. The Program is for all communities across all regions are empowered to engage with key Rule of Law and security actors and participate in identifying security and justice challenges and in implementing solutions, then they will foster inclusive, equitable, accountable, and responsive RoL systems and institutions – formal and traditional – at the national, regional and district level.  The collaboration between rights holders and duty bearers, will promote structural equality (including gender justice), uphold human rights standards, improve the quality, and reach of access to justice services and enhance public trust in the RoL and Governance systems, thus, contributing to stability, social cohesion, realizing the social contract and laying a solid foundation for development.

The programme with outcome of Somaliland rule of law institutions are inclusive, equitable, accountable, and responsive, particularly to the most marginalized and vulnerable and with four interlinked outputs of; (1) Enhanced institutional capacity improves service delivery and access to justice; (2) Improved capacity and oversight of police contributes to the safety and security of SL citizens. (3) Enhanced legal and policy environment, and capacities for human rights and gender justice and (4) Enhanced criminal justice enforcement and correctional services.

The right of access to justice enables the economically and politically marginalized to protect the inalienable rights that they have but are yet to enjoy. It is not only about protecting and improving the livelihoods of people living in poverty, but also promotes people’s capabilities, choices, security, and power. Having access to justice helps address the marginalization of vulnerable groups in society – those who suffer socioeconomic hardships, discrimination and general human rights abuses. 

JROLP II will support the SLNHRC for free legal aid services to vulnerable and marginalized groups, especially women, prisoners, minorities, and juveniles.

Somaliland National Human Rights Commission is seeking applications for a qualified Lawyer for its free legal aid services project. The lawyer will provide free legal representation for the Women, juveniles, prisoners and minorities. He/she will represent cases in all levels of Somaliland courts and also will involve all SLNHRC representations, detention and prison monitoring and community legal empowerment activities.

Position: SLNHRC is recruiting for five lawyers. The lawyer will be based in Hargeisa but also frequently traveled to other regions of Somaliland in case of need.

Duration of Contract: 8 months with possibilities of extension depends on available of funds and personal performance.

Reporting to: UNDP Joint Rule of law Program LOA coordinator, executive director and SLNHRC chairperson.

Responsibilities:

·         Assist clients with identifying their legal claims, advising as to their legal rights and obligations;

·         Offer assistance with problem resolution through existing traditional forms of dispute resolution;

·         Prepare for trial including drafting legal documents; gathering evidence; conducting legal research; and interviewing clients and witnesses;

·         Representing clients at court where applicable;

·         Provide free legal representation for Women, juveniles, prisoners and minorities detained in Somaliland police stations/detention centers or remanded in prisons.

·         Undertake police stations/detention centers and prisons monitoring in all regions of Somaliland to update the human rights situations of the Women, juveniles, prisoners and minorities. 

·         Prepare detailed daily, weekly and monthly reports  and legal cases updates

·         Any other tasks assigned by the manager

·         Knowledge of Somaliland Legal System and international human rights Frameworks

·         Experience in working with Women, juveniles, prisoners and minorities and other vulnerable populations

·         5 years of practical working experience in lawyer, judge, and prosecutor. In case you are a lawyer you should have a valid practicing license.

·         Desire and demonstrated passion to assist Somaliland’s Poor and extremely vulnerable communities.

·         Computer literate with ability to use Microsoft word, excel etc.

·         Native Somali speaker and proficiency in English

Selection Criteria:   

Applicants will be shortlisted based on the qualifications outlined above. The short listed candidate will be attends written test, and finally succeeded candidates will attends oral interview by selected panel.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV to Somaliland National Human Rights Commission Human Resource Email, [email protected], no later than May 10, 2024

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Please note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.