Job Description
SENIOR PROGRAMMES LAWYER
Closing date:Friday, 20 November 2026 at 1600 hours
About the Organisation
A national human rights organisation seeks an experienced and committed lawyer to fill the position of Senior Programmes Lawyer in its Litigation Department. The organisation uses strategic and public interest litigation, advocacy and research to defend constitutional rights and safeguard civic space in Zimbabwe.
The Role
The Senior Programmes Lawyer is a senior technical specialist who will coordinate the design and delivery of the organisation's legal programmes. The postholder will lead strategic litigation, respond to human rights emergencies, drive advocacy and legal research, and engage stakeholders at national, regional and international level. The role carries direct responsibility for programme quality and for integrating gender justice, disability inclusion and intersectionality into all the organisation's human rights work.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
• Lead strategic and public interest litigation and contribute to the organisation's institutional litigation strategy.
• Prepare and review legal opinions, pleadings, contracts and related documents, and vet the legal work of colleagues for quality and consistency.
• Provide rapid legal representation and emergency response for human rights defenders.
• Coordinate the implementation of legal programmes and ensure that outputs are delivered on time and within budget.
• Manage the caseload effectively, keep case records and databases current, and maintain secure filing and diarising systems.
• Conduct advanced legal research and policy analysis and author policy briefs or human rights publications.
• Build relationships with government, development partners, civil society and legal networks, and represent the organisation at high-level meetings and technical forums.
• Monitor implementation against grant agreements, prepare narrative reports and provide technical input to funding proposals.
• Mentor and guide junior legal staff.
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
• 5 O Level and 3 A Level subjects.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
• Registration as a Legal Practitioner of the High Court of Zimbabwe.
• A minimum of 6 years of post-admission legal practice in a reputable law firm or human rights organisation.
• A proven track record in constitutional, administrative and public interest litigation.
• Demonstrated experience managing rapid response interventions and legal emergencies in fluid operating conditions.
• Deep familiarity with regional and international human rights mechanisms.
Added advantage
• A Master's degree in Human Rights, Law, Governance, Public Policy or a related field.
Skills and Attributes
• Excellent oral advocacy, legal drafting and written presentation skills.
• Strong judgement under pressure and the ability to meet tight deadlines.
• High ethical standards, professional integrity and a demonstrated commitment to inclusion.
Working Conditions
This is a demanding position. The successful candidate must be prepared to travel frequently within and outside Zimbabwe, sometimes at short notice; to appear regularly before courts, tribunals and at places of detention; and to work outside normal hours when emergencies arise. The role requires full compliance with safeguarding policies.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following, combined into a single PDF file:
• A cover letter of not more than 2 pages setting out their suitability for the position.
• A detailed curriculum vitae with 3 contactable professional referees, at least 1 of whom should be a current or recent supervisor.
Applications should be emailed to recruitmentnew2026@gmail.com with the subject line Application: Senior Programmes Lawyer by 1600 hours on Friday, 20 November 2026.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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