Job Title: Assistant Legal Officer

Organisation: Justice Defenders

Duty Station: Jinja, Uganda

About Organisation:

Justice Defenders is a registered UK charity and U.S. nonprofit working in prison communities across Africa. Through legal education, training, and practice, Justice Defenders equips prisoners and prison officers to facilitate legal processes.

Job Summary: The Assistant Legal Officer will provide day-to-day operational and administrative legal support to the Jinja-based Legal Officer. This role focuses on hands-on inmate interfacing, primary file tracking across local justice institutions, managing the daily operations of the prison paralegal network, and running primary preparation clinics for self-representation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Legal Officer Support:

Directly assist the Legal Officer in preparing case files, drafting preliminary legal documents (bail and other forms of applications, appeals mitigation statements), and scheduling court fixtures/appearances.

Self-Representation Support:

Lead Justice Defenders prison based legal offices and coach inmates on self-representation, guiding them through basic court etiquette, mock trial sessions, and building confidence.

Paralegal Network Oversight:

Serve as the primary, on-ground contact for prison-based paralegal networks (inmates and staff) in Jinja; coordinate their daily logs, handle basic legal queries, and track their performance.

File Tracing & Surety Verification:

Conduct field visits to local Jinja police stations, court registries, and state attorneys’ offices to trace missing files and locate sureties.

Rights Education Campaigns:

Organize regular on-site rights awareness sessions inside prisons and distribute simplified legal information materials.

Case Tracking & Data Management:

Maintain up-to-date, accurate, and highly confidential database logs of all inmate files, tracking system responses and identifying delayed cases.

Feedback Mechanism Coordination:

Assist in organizing structured feedback dialogues and accountability sessions between inmates and local duty bearers.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from a recognized university. A Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from LDC is an added advantage but not mandatory.

Experience

Minimum of 1–2 years of relevant experience working in legal aid delivery, within the prison community, paralegal management, or criminal law practice in Uganda.

Language Skills:

Professional mastery of English, alongside high working fluency in Luganda.

Strong interpersonal skills, passion for social justice, high empathy, and proficiency in basic data management tools (Excel, Word).

How to Apply:

Applicants should submit:

A current CV;

A cover letter clearly indicating the position and preferred duty station;

Copies of relevant academic and professional qualifications; and

Send your application details by email to;

Apply by Email

Deadline: 23rd August 2026

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.