Senior Programmes Lawyer (1 Post)
National Human Rights OrganisationVerified
- Harare, Zimbabwe
- Full time
- Closing soon · 20 Nov 2026
You will apply by e-mail with the issuer. UPNEXT does not receive or track applications.
Overview
A national human rights organisation is seeking an experienced and suitably qualified Senior Programmes Lawyer to coordinate the design and delivery of its legal programmes. The successful candidate will lead strategic litigation, respond to human rights emergencies, drive advocacy and legal researc
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.
• Review the legal work of colleagues to ensure quality and consistency.
• Provide rapid legal representation and emergency response for human rights defenders.
• Coordinate legal programmes and ensure outputs are delivered on time and within budget.
• Manage caseloads, maintain case records and databases, and ensure secure filing and diarising systems.
• Conduct advanced legal research and policy analysis.
• Prepare policy briefs and human rights publications.
• Build relationships with government, development partners, civil society and legal networks.
• Represent the organisation at high-level meetings and technical forums.
• Monitor grant implementation and prepare narrative reports.
• Provide technical input into funding proposals.
• Mentor and guide junior legal staff.
• Integrate gender justice, disability inclusion and intersectionality into human rights programmes.
Qualifications & experience
Essential Requirements:
• 5 O-Level subjects and 3 A-Level subjects.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree.
• Registration as a Legal Practitioner of the High Court of Zimbabwe.
• At least 6 years of post-admission legal practice in a reputable law firm or human rights organisation.
• Proven experience in constitutional, administrative and public interest litigation.
• Demonstrated experience managing rapid response interventions and legal emergencies.
• Strong familiarity with regional and international human rights mechanisms.
Added Advantage:
• 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 ability to meet tight deadlines.
• High ethical standards and professional integrity.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion.
Additional Requirements:
• Willingness to travel frequently within and outside Zimbabwe.
• Ability to appear before courts, tribunals and places of detention.
• Availability to work outside normal hours during emergencies.
• Full compliance with safeguarding policies.
How to apply
Interested applicants must submit their applications as a single PDF document containing:
- Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages) explaining suitability for the position.
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) with three contactable professional referees, including at least one current or recent supervisor.
Email applications to: recruitmentnew2026@gmail.com
Email Subject: Application: Senior Programmes Lawyer
Deadline: 20 November 2026 at 16:00 hours.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
IMPORTANT: No fees should be paid to any individual or organisation during the recruitment process.
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About this listing
- Published on UPNEXT
- 7 Nov 2026
- Verification
- Verified. This listing was marked verified before UPNEXT adopted its current verification standard and is being checked again. What the labels mean
Applications for this listing go to a gmail.com address, not to an address on the organisation's own website. Some genuine employers use free e-mail, but so do fake recruiters: confirm the vacancy with the organisation through a contact you find yourself before you send documents, and never pay to apply.
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