MALAWI – ADVICE CENTRE MANAGERS
The British Council and Active Learning Centre are inviting candidates to apply for an ‘ADVICE CENTRE MANAGER’ based in Mangochi and Dedza.
British Council and Active Learning Centre have recently secured funding from the Scottish Government to run a three year project starting April 2010 until April 2013 that aims to assist people to claim their rights through the establishment of two advice centres and outreach clinics in rural areas. The project will try out methods of delivering rights advice and information in the surrounding rural areas to inform future provision of access to justice. The project will run in Mangochi and Dedza.
PRINCIPAL FUNCTION:
To manage the centre which will offer legal rights advice and information to people in Dedza/Mangochi and the surrounding rural areas and through outreach services in the rural areas.
The successful candidates should have demonstrated, through his or her professional experience, all of the essential competencies required for the positions. Candidates who do not meet these minimum requirements will not be shortlisted for an interview.Responsibilities:
Set up and manage the advice centre to provide a legal rights advice and information service
Recruit volunteer paralegal workers to work in the centre to offer rights advice and information in the city, and in the second year of the project to people in the surrounding rural areas
Organise training for the volunteer paralegal workers
Provide professional support to the paralegal workers working in the town and its associated outreach services in the surrounding areas
Institute and manage a case recording system to record client information about the nature of enquiries and details of legal cases
Set up links with local lawyers, the Legal Aid Department, Office of Ombudsman and the Human Rights Commission to establish referral systems to ensure that cases requiring further action are progressed and citizens have access to redress
Set up, support and assist a local advocacy group to take forward issues highlighted by the users of the rights advice and information service
Manage the money allocated to the advice centre by the central office of the Project and to provide financial reports and receipts to the British Council on a monthly basis to account for expenditure
Assist the British Council with legal literacy activities, for example, taking responsibility for the local distribution of leaflets and posters and the broadcast of radio local programmes
Institute and manage a system for gathering monitoring information for the Project on the work of the advice centre, its associated outreach services and the work of the advocacy group and to forward this information to the British Council on a regular basis
Other duties associated with the management of the advice centre and the project that may be determined by the Project Manager and the Project Advisory Committee
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
A Bachelor’s degree in Law or a Diploma in Law with relevant work experience
Understanding and familiarity with the Malawian legal framework for citizens’ rights and its implications for the rural poor
Proven advocacy skills for the rights of vulnerable groups of society such as the poor, disabled, women, children, senior citizens, etc
Training skills or proven experience of ability to organize training
Excellent written and communication skills; ability to write concise and accurate reports, public speaking skills
Ability to motivate, manage and support a team of volunteer workers
Ability to work on own initiative and with team
Excellent interpersonal skills
Excellent project and people management skills
Computer skills – ability to use word processing, spreadsheet packages, internet and email
Proven ability to perform multiple duties in a focused approach
Willingness to work within the Project’s equality policy
DESIRABLE SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND ADDITIONAL QUALITIES:
Previous experience of working with paralegals
Previous experience of working with volunteers
Availability to start immediately
OTHER INFORMATION:
The project runs for three years starting from October 2010
REMUNERATION: MWK 1,489,440.00 annum
PROBATIONARY PERIOD: The post is subject to a probationary period of three months. On completion of a successful probationary period a contract will be issued which will be renewable on an annual basis until the end of the Project, subject to continued satisfactory performance. One month’s notice is required for either party to terminate the employment contract
HOW TO APPLY?
Read through the project outline document http://www.britishcouncil.org/africa-mw-advice-centre-manager-project-outline.doc
Please read all the documents carefully before you fill in the job application formhttp://www.britishcouncil.org/africa-mw-advice-centre-manager-application-form.doc Telephone applications or enquiries will not be considered. Only applications on the standard form will be accepted.
Your completed application form can be dropped of or posted to the address’ below or e-mailed to: info@britishcouncil.org.mw by 11 October 2010.
ADDRESS:
1. To: Project Manager, British Council Blantyre, Protea Ryalls Hotel, 2 Hannover Avenue, PO Box 30222, Blantyre, Malawi.
Or
2. To: Project Manager, British Council, PO Box 30222, Plot 13 / 20, Opposite National Library, next to TAMA House, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Only candidates shortlisted for interview will be contacted. We do not accept CV’s, handwritten applications or expressions of interest.
