STANDARD TIMES PRESS SIERRA LEONE Partners In Conflict Transformation (Picot)Job Vacancy Position: Paralegal Supervisor PAGE

Partners in Conflict in Conflict Transformation (PICOT) is a joint program of the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) and the Methodist Church of Sierra Leone (MCSL). PICOT has received funding from the European Union to support democratization, good governance and the rule of law in Sierra Leone. The program has a paralegal component which aims to ensure the legal protection of human rights and to enhance access to justice by mostly deprived local communities. The paralegal project now has twenty one (21) paralegals working in seven (7) chiefdoms.

Paralegals engage in legal literacy (including human rights education), alternative dispute resolution (e.g. mediation) and the investigation of human rights violations in their communities.

The Paralegal Supervisor has overall responsibility for the day-to-day monitoring and supervision of the work of paralegals in all PICOT operational communities and reports to the PICOT Management Team. In order to carry out this responsibility the Paralegal Supervisor will�

1. Collate and analyze monthly reports from paralegals in all PICOT operational communities and recommend necessary action to be taken by the PICOT Management Team;

2. Prepare and submit to the Regional Director of NMJD and the Development Secretary of MCSL quarterly progress reports on the paralegal project indicating among others whether-

a. Paralegals have performed their basic duties as contained in their letters of appointment or other job description and whether or not the workload of paralegals is adequate;

b. Resources made available to paralegals are being utilized efficiently and effectively;

c. Communities and other stakeholders are satisfied with the work of the paralegals and if not what could be done to redress the situation;

d. There are shortcomings of the paralegal project as a whole that need to be addressed.

3. Facilitate the promotion of harmonious relationships between paralegals and agencies and institutions of state such as the police and the judiciary as well as other stakeholders within the operational communities;

4. Assess the learning needs of paralegals and organize the requisite training to enhance their knowledge and skills;

5. Initiate, where necessary, the formation of Paralegal Support Committees in the operational communities and monitor and report on the functioning of such committees;

6. Network effectively with other organizations operating paralegal programs in Sierra Leone and elsewhere in the world and identify areas of possible collaboration with such organizations with a view to strengthening the efficacy of the PICOT paralegal project.

7. Prepare, update and keep an inventory of all resources made available to paralegal centers including capital equipment as well as legal and paralegal documents, books and other literature.

8. Supervise the monitoring by paralegals of all cases filed in any court and liaise with the Legal Counsel of PICOT on the progress of such cases.

9. Create and maintain a comprehensive database of all cases pending in or determined by the courts.

10. Undertake any other assignments within the ambit of the paralegal project as determined by the PICOT Management Team.

Person Specification/Qualifications:

A first Degree in the Social Sciences or other relevant area from a recognized University or its equivalent i.e. Diploma.

Experience:

� Not less than 3 years experience working with civil society

organizations in community based programmes.

� Experience of data collation, interpretation and report writing.

� Experience of research and analysis/interpretation of data collected

� Experience in legal processes and procedures at both community and

national level.

� Knowledgeable on issues of access to justice.

� Experience in monitoring system and supervision

Skills and Abilities:

� Familiarity with participatory tools and approaches, including conflict

transformation and right based processes.

� Excellent interpersonal skills.

� Ability to initiate and plan work in logical fashion, work under

pressure and meet deadlines.

� Good organizational ability.

� Excellent communication skills in Mende and English.

� Ability to administer ones own work including competence in

standard IT (Word Excel and Internet).

Commitment:

� Must handle resources and documents very responsibly

� Must be available to travel frequently.

Job Station:

NMJD Office,

5 Jangah Street, Bo

MCSL Office,

Segbwema

Job Location:

Kakua, Bumpeh Ngao, Small Bo, Soro-Gbeima, Njaluahun, Peje West and Peje Bongre Chiefdoms

Applications must be in Applicant�s own handwriting together with CVs and supporting documents to be delivered to:

The Coordinator

Partners in Conflict Transformation (PICOT)

PICOT Secretariat, 5 Jangah Street, Bo

C/o Regional Director, West

Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD

29 Main Motor Road, Brookfields

Freetown.

The closing date for the submission of the application is 23rd November 2007 not later than 2p.m

Proposed Interview date: 30^th November, 2007

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