Legal Officer

Nacosa; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 400 000 - 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused NGO is seeking a Legal Officer to oversee and strengthen the implementation of human rights frameworks. The role includes mentoring, providing legal advice, and ensuring compliance with laws. A successful candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in law and a minimum of 3 years of legal experience, particularly in human rights and civil law contexts. This position is pivotal in guiding both the organization and its partners toward alignment with legal standards.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years' experience in legal services or a similar role.
• Solid knowledge of human rights law and legal frameworks.
• Experience working with key populations and HIV/AIDS programmes.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Facilitate training on the Human Rights Toolkit.
• Conduct legal research and support case building.
• Document and submit reports on human rights violations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational abilities

Time-management

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Bachelor's degree in law (LLB) or equivalent

Job description

Overview

NACOSA is seeking a Legal Officer to oversee and strengthen the implementation of human rights frameworks across implementing partner organisations. The role includes mentoring and supporting human rights teams to review, refer, case manage, and report on violations, while ensuring that programmes align with human rights standards and obligations. In addition, the Legal Officer will provide legal support and guidance to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and contractual obligations. This will include managing legal risks, drafting and reviewing agreements, and safeguarding the rights and interests of both implementing partners and NACOSA.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and technical support to ensure organisational and implementing partner compliance with laws, regulations, and contractual requirements.
• Facilitate training and mentoring sessions on the Human Rights Toolkit to strengthen the capacity of implementing partners.
• Conduct gap analyses based on the needs of key populations to inform programme interventions.
• Perform legal research, fact‑check cases, and interview key population members and witnesses to support case building.
• Validate, interrogate, and document reported human rights violations for accuracy and credibility.
• Analyse reported cases to ensure appropriate referral pathways and follow‑up.
• Summarise testimonies and maintain accurate case records.
• Conduct case management, track statistics, and maintain databases of reported cases.
• Respond to referrals from implementing partners and Human Rights Ambassadors and coordinate interventions accordingly.
• Assist the Human Rights Programme team in drafting legal documents and applications for mass marches.
• Compile and submit monthly/quarterly narrative reports.
• Document and submit monthly human‑rights violations.
• Manage communication internally and externally with relevant Human Rights stakeholders.
• Organise documents in paper and computer filing systems.
• Communicate with victims of human rights violations, schedule meetings for feedback and follow‑up sessions on referred cases.

Qualifications and Experience

Requirements: Bachelor's degree in law (LLB) or equivalent. Minimum of 3 years' experience in legal services (including law firm experience as a candidate legal practitioner, completion of vocational training, and competency‑based examinations for admission as an attorney) or in a similar role. Solid knowledge of human rights law and legal frameworks. Strong understanding of legal research methods, with the ability to identify human rights and advocacy issues. Familiarity with social, behavioural, or health‑related topics such as gender‑based violence prevention and response strategies (highly advantageous).

Experience working with key populations, HIV/AIDS programmes, and monitoring and evaluation in the NGO sector is preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Strong interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management abilities.
• Capacity to work independently, manage heavy workloads, and meet tight deadlines.
• Effective planning and prioritisation skills.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity and respect for the dignity of all persons.
• Knowledge of provincial contexts and community resources nationally is advantageous.
• A valid driver's licence is required.
• Closing date for all applications: 13 September.

Application Process

• Application Process: Please submit your application via our career portal.

Emailed applications will not be considered; NB: This position is subject to donor approval. NACOSA reserves the right to close this job advert early if sufficient applications are received or a suitable candidate is identified. PLEASE NOTE: Preference will be given to suitably qualified applicants who are members of the designated groups in line with the employment equity plan and targets of NACOSA.

We also encourage people with disabilities to apply.

NACOSA is guided by the principles of Employment Equity.

Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply and an indication in this regard will be appreciated. In the event that you do not hear from us after 4 weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

NACOSA reserves the right to amend and / or withdraw adverts at any time without notification.

NACOSA respects the privacy of its stakeholders and will treat all personal information provided in line with its recruitment policy and in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act. As part of its hiring process, NACOSA will inquire during reference checks for information about job applicants' reference persons regarding any finding of sexual exploitation, abuse, and / or harassment as well as any other forms of misconduct.