Job Description

Work Description
The Legal Officer is responsible to receive, document and investigate reported Human Right Violations (HRVs) from key and vulnerable populations including MSM, TGW and PWID. Conduct follow-up on all HRV cases and maintain updated case management records for tracking, resolution and reporting. Provide guidance and basic legal support to complainants, programme staff and Human Rights Ambassadors. Refer unresolved or qualifying cases to higher-level legal services (legal clinics, attorneys, legal aid etc) Assists beneficiaries in drafting letters of complaint and other necessary legal correspondence.
Legal Literacy, Training & Capacity Building

• Conduct Human Rights Toolkit trainings, including stigma and discrimination, "Know Your Rights," HIV/TB/IPV legal issues, and related sessions.
• Deliver ongoing coaching, mentoring, and capacity strengthening to implementing partners to improve legal literacy and rights-based practices.
• Support the development of Human Rights-related IEC materials for implementing partners and key populations.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Coordinate and facilitate Human Rights meetings with Sub-Recipients (SRs), programme partners, and district/provincial stakeholders.
• Work closely with implementing partners, programme teams, and community Human Rights Ambassadors to identify, respond to, and prevent HRVs.
• Provide support to SRs and Principal Recipient (PR) teams on advocacy and rights-based programming.

Advocacy, Research & Structural Reform

• Conduct gap analyses to identify legal, structural, and healthcare system barriers affecting key and vulnerable populations, and recommend improvements.
• Review trends emerging from HRV referrals and contribute to advocacy campaigns aimed at addressing systemic and structural challenges.
• Research and prepare legal opinions to support HRV resolutions and broader policy or law reform efforts.
• Assist programme teams with drafting and submitting legal documents, including applications for marches or public demonstrations.
• Obtain expert legal advice when necessary to support programme activities.

Reporting, Documentation & Knowledge Management

• Compile and maintain well-organized paper and digital filing systems for all cases and legal documentation.
• Produce summaries, case studies, and quarterly reports highlighting HRV trends, outcomes, and programme insights.
• Contribute to routine programme reporting by providing accurate legal and HRV data to SR and PR teams.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Compile and submit monthly and quarterly narrative reports.
• Document and submit monthly Human Rights Violations reports and case management trackers.
• Attend relevant internal M&E meetings.

Networking, Advocacy, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage communication internally and externally with relevant Human Rights stakeholders.
• Attend quarterly district and provincial meetings and engage with external stakeholders on Human Rights Advocacy issues.
• Build positive relationships with external stakeholders, implementing partners, governments officials and SAPS.
• Identify and build relationships with potential legal service providers.

Ad hoc Tasks
Perform activities as stand-in for colleague or line manager as required from time to time.
Education
Bachelor's degree in law (LLB) or equivalent
Advantageous

• English and one other South African language (spoken in programme area)
• Valid Driver's license (Code B) with no endorsements

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years working experience in legal services in law firms including as candidate legal practitioners, practical vocational training, and competency-based examinations for admissions as an attorney or in a similar role
• Sound working knowledge on legal principles and laws related to human rights.
• Experience in documenting and addressing human rights violations.
• Experience in working with local, district and provincial stakeholders.
• Experience in conducting legal research and identifying human rights and advocacy issues is advantageous.
• A sound understanding of social / behavioural or health-related topics is highly advantageous.
• Experience within the HIV/AIDS, TB and GBV sector and working with key and vulnerable populations is highly advantageous

Attributes

• Good Computer Skills (MS Suite)
• Good Communication Skills
• Good Reporting writing Skills
• Achievement/Action orientation
• Attention to Detail
• Analytical Thinking
• Information seeking
• Judgement
• Assertiveness and use of positional power
• Customer Service Orientation
• Interpersonal understanding
• Relationship Building

Kindly provide current and relevant references for background checks
All appointments are subject to the preferred candidates obtaining the necessary security clearance, reference checking, and competency assessment. We embrace employment equity and are committed to the achievement of fair and equal representation of our workforce. Preference will be given to internal applicants and candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Aurum welcomes applications from all persons with disabilities
Whilst all applications will be carefully considered, only short-listed applicants will be interviewed. If you do not hear from us within 21 days of the closing date, this will mean that your application has been unsuccessful. All interviewed applicants will receive feedback as part of our continued drive towards people development.
This project is funded by an external donor and its continuity is depended on the external funding
Kindl

Skills Required