Advocate

Job Vacancy Announcement

Position: Advocate (Contract - Full-Time)
Number of Positions: 4 (One for each district)
Location: Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Kapilbastu Districts & other PDS-N district offices as required
Duration: 1 Year (Renewable upon availability of funds and performance review)

The Public Defender Society of Nepal (PDS-Nepal), a non-governmental, non-profit organization, emerged from ILF-Nepal, a project of The International Legal Foundation. PDS-Nepal upholds the human right to a fair trial and defends the life and liberty of poor, marginalized, and vulnerable individuals accused of criminal offenses, irrespective of age, gender, or ethnicity. The organization collaborates with the government to build its capacity to fulfill its legal obligations, ensuring all accused persons have access to competent defense lawyers. Its mission is to ensure fair and effective access to justice by developing and strengthening a sustainable public defender system in Nepal, focusing on quality legal representation for indigent accused in judicial and quasi-judicial tribunals.

As part of its mission, PDS-Nepal invites applications from qualified, dynamic, and results-oriented Nepalese citizens for four (4) Advocate positions under the USAID Community Justice Project. This project, funded by the American people, aims to enhance access to equitable justice for communities in Nepal, with a focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups in selected municipalities within Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces. The project emphasizes strengthening the justice system and services through effective policy frameworks and coordination among local, provincial, and federal levels.

Key Goals of the Project:

1. Strengthen local institutional capacity and enhance justice sector coordination to improve access to justice and legal services for marginalized groups.

2. Build the capacity of civil society to promote community legal literacy, ensure accountability within the local justice system, and expand access to legal aid.

Primary Responsibilities

Successful candidates will:

• Represent accused individuals (men, women, LGBTQI+ or children) from arrest through trial and appeals.

• Advocate for clients before police, prosecutors, Chief District Officers, and courts, including submitting applications, letters, and presenting arguments as required.

• Interview detainees at detention centers.

• Conduct defense investigations (e.g., crime scene visits, witness interviews, evidence collection).

• Utilize innovative procedures to safeguard the constitutional and legal rights of clients.

• Provide meaningful and cost-free legal defense to accused individuals.

• Participate in training programs for other advocates in advanced criminal defense practices.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

• Be available to work in any PDS-Nepal project district as needed.

Additional Notes:

• Advocates with at least one year of experience with ILF-Nepal or PDS-Nepal will be prioritized and exempted from written examinations.

• Successful candidates are prohibited from private legal practice for personal financial gain without prior written approval from the Executive Director.

• Selected candidates must complete a minimum of three months practical training under the supervision of the Executive Director and Senior Attorney-in-Charge.

Minimum Qualifications

• Law degree (BL/LLB or LLM) with a valid advocate’s license.

• Commitment to providing free legal assistance to poor individuals accused of crimes.

• Dedication to offering meaningful defense from the moment of arrest.

• Proficiency in basic computer skills, including English and Nepali typing.

• Preference will be given to local candidates or those from neighboring districts.

Salary

Applicants must specify their desired monthly salary (inclusive of applicable taxes) in their application. Proposed salaries aligning closely with the approved budget will be considered for shortlisting.

Application Process

Interested candidates are requested to send their CV, including a contact telephone number, along with a cover letter to the address below by 21 January 2025:

HR Department
Public Defender Society of Nepal
Surya Marg, House # 19, Uma Bhawan
Babarmahal, Kathmandu
Email: vacancy@pds-n.org

Important Notes:

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a written examination and interview.

• Phone inquiries or canvassing will result in disqualification.

• Selected candidates are expected to commence work on 15 February 2025.

Equal Opportunity Employer: PDS-Nepal encourages applications from women and individuals from disadvantaged or minority groups. We are committed to non-discrimination based on race, caste, gender, ethnicity, or other factors.

Subject Line/Envelope: Please mention "Application for Advocate - [District Name]" when submitting your application.