Program Officer, Community Land Protection

Imagine a place where your skills, talent and expertise can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Working at Namati Kenya is a uniquely rewarding experience in which our teams work together as vital parts of a much larger mission of leveraging the power of people and the power of the law for Land and Environmental Justice.

Our Community Land Protection program is innovative, mission-focused, diverse, collaborative and values-driven. We work proactively to strengthen communities’ ability to protect, document, and defend their customary and indigenous land rights. Drawing on years of fieldwork and research, we work with local partner organizations to support communities to complete a powerful five-part process for protecting community lands and natural resources in Kenya. Our integrated approach combines legal and technical documentation and good governance work to resolve land conflicts, ensure intra-community equity, and strengthen mechanisms for accountable and participatory sustainable management of land and natural resources. Our work is anchored on the Community Land Act, with a quest to strengthen land tenure security, strengthen local land governance, enhance women’s land rights, and support communities to more sustainably manage land and natural resources while advocating for timely and effective implementation of the law and shifting power to indigenous and local communities.

To effectively do this, we are looking for a sharp, organized, and self-driven advocate of the high court who has experience in community land and environmental laws, policies, and cases. We’re looking for someone that can serve as a trusted partner and advisor to national partner organizations and communities when navigating legal complexities around community land and environmental issues -- including building up the capacity of the Namati team, our partners, and paralegals on the same. In addition, we’re looking for someone who is ambitious to support Namati and our partners to advance policy changes and advocacy strategies related to community land and environmental justice.

Overall, the Program Officer will be be responsible for the following:

Legal support

Provide legal advice to the programme, partners, and communities we work with and for

Conduct research on legal issues and policy frameworks related to land, natural resources, and environmental justice

Support communities as they navigate complex justice systems - including community land registration, negotiation with external parties, and other legal processes

Develop and implement rights awareness and education efforts for the Namati team, our partners, and the communities we work with.

Support communities to comprehensively review community land contracts with investors to enhance win-win situations for communities.

Work with relevant government agencies and departments such as the judiciary, Ministry of Lands, National Land Commission among others to ensure that the CLA is implemented to the latter

Program Development and Fundraising

Contribute to the creation and curation of a variety of tools, publications and other resources designed to support community land protection efforts.

Support the Program Manager and Director to plan and carry out impact assessments and other research initiatives.

Create a range of documents, including articles, issue briefs, reports, internal memoranda, OpEds, blog posts, and other written and electronic content to deepen the discourse on Community Land rights.

Represent Namati’s Community Land protection program in meetings and conferences while strengthening strategic partnerships

Support development and fundraising efforts for the Community Land Protection program: research prospective donors and other strategic opportunities for revenue generation, draft proposals and reports to donors, and track reporting requirements and deadlines.

Organize and support logistics of calls, meetings, and workshops (travel arrangements, materials, minutes, coordination with conference organizers), as required

Occasionally travel to the field to support Namati’s county-based community land protection efforts.

Actively participate in Namati-wide initiatives and projects.

Here are some of the tasks you might tackle in a typical week:

Prepared a training session for an upcoming paralegal training by engaging with other Namati teams to collect ideas for how to build related skills and knowledge.

Conducted data analysis of paralegal case information and, based on the findings, wrote a first draft of recommended changes to relevant land laws and policies

Provided advice by phone to paralegals and partner staff who have questions on implementation of the Community Land Act.

Attended coordination meetings with other land organizations, provided a short update on Namati’s work, made new contacts, and reported back on highlights and outcomes of engagements.

Provided input to refine and finalize program goals and work plans.

About You

Organized and meticulous approach to your work: You genuinely enjoy completing detail-oriented tasks. You are dedicated to letting no ball drop, deftly juggle multiple tasks, and feel happiest at work when you have all your tasks in order.

Flexible: You know that providing quality support always begins with careful planning and execution. Yet in the face of unexpected challenges you are known for maintaining a positive attitude, quickly and adeptly reorienting yourself to find a new solution.

Resourceful problem-solver: You know how to find answers and can figure out how to solve problems when they arise. You possess the personal initiative needed to improve processes without prompting. You feel comfortable working independently.

Exceptional communication skills: Your written and verbal communications evidence clarity in both thought and analysis.

Mission orientation and drive: You’re deeply committed to Namati’s mission and driven to make an impact. It’s in your nature to work tirelessly on a problem until you’ve seen the solution through to your complete satisfaction. At the same you approach your work with individuals and communities in a way that minimizes the power dynamics that are created through legal institutions.

Data oriented: You have a demonstrated fluency with data management, quality control, and analysis, as well as the ability to utilize data to inform program planning.

Growth mindset: You’re always seeking to better yourself and your work, and you will push yourself to the peak of performance to help fulfill our mission. In service of that growth, you welcome and delight in feedback from supervisors, peers, reports, and anyone else.

Education and Experience

You have a Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized institution, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from Kenya School of Law, and a valid practicing certificate

You have at least 5 years of experience as a valid member of the Law Society of Kenya. In particular, you’ve worked in litigation and dispute resolution on land and environmental related cases for at least 4 years post admission

Location

Nairobi, Kenya. Please note you must already be eligible to work in Kenya to be considered for this position.

Compensation & benefits

The offer range for this position is an annual compensation of 2, 200,000 - 2,750,000 KES. Final compensation will be commensurate with the depth of experience that the selected candidate brings. Namati also offers excellent benefits, which include health coverage, generous paid time off, retirement or old-age plan contributions, sick leave, and parental leave. All staff also have access to funds for professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

You can apply through our website. Please submit a CV, two writing samples (including a previous litigation case), and thoughtfully answer the application question. Women and people from indigenous communities are strongly encouraged to apply. We'll accept applications through September 14th, 2022.

Namati is an Equal Opportunity Employer.