OVERVIEW

The Women Lawyers Association (WLA) is an independent non-profit organization that is made up of women lawyers from: the public sector; private practice; commercial and nongovernmental organizations; law students; paralegals, professional and lay magistrates and some honorary male lawyers mandated to empower women and girls and promote gender and human rights in Malawi.

WLA utilizes the law as a tool for promoting, protecting and enforcing the rights of women and children by advocating for legal and systemic changes that address violence and discrimination against women and children in Malawi. In order to fulfil its mandate, WLA invites applications from qualified candidates to fill the position of Executive Director tenable at their office in Lilongwe:

Executive Director

Contract Duration: 2 Years. Renewable subject to performance.

Contract Type: Full-time

Job Description

The successful candidate shall be reporting to WLA’s Executive Committee (Exco). The Executive Director (ED) shall supervise the development and implementation of WLA’s Strategic Plan in line with WLA’s mandate. The ED shall have the following responsibilities:

• Supervising the daily operations of WLA and ensuring that WLA’s mandate is achieved.
• Preparing comprehensive reports on WLA’s activities for the Exco, Board of Trustees, donors and general membership on WLA’s activities.
• Developing and implementing relevant policies and standard operating procedures for WLA.
• Fostering WLA’s relationships with its partners and stakeholders.
• Supervising and conducting litigation and advocacy related to women and girls’ rights.
• Ensuring proper management of WLA’s Safe House.
• Implementing and supervising WLA’s active case management system.
• Organizing capacity building trainings and conferences for the Secretariat and WLA members.
• Carrying out any other duties as assigned from time to time by the Exco.

Requirements

• A minimum of a Master’s Degree obtained from a recognizable institution.
• Admitted to practice law in Malawi and currently holding a valid practicing licence.
• A minimum of six (6) years post-admission experience.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing sustainable strategies and plans in the protection of the rights of women and children in Malawi.
• Strong understanding of the legal regulatory standards and frameworks governing the rights of women and children in Malawi.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership with an in-depth knowledge of corporate governance.
• Those with experience in governance of similar organizations will have an added advantage.

• Supervising the daily operations of WLA and ensuring that WLA’s mandate is achieved.
• Preparing comprehensive reports on WLA’s activities for the Exco, Board of Trustees, donors and general membership on WLA’s activities.
• Developing and implementing relevant policies and standard operating procedures for WLA.
• Fostering WLA’s relationships with its partners and stakeholders.
• Supervising and conducting litigation and advocacy related to women and girls’ rights.
• Ensuring proper management of WLA’s Safe House.
• Implementing and supervising WLA’s active case management system.
• Organizing capacity building trainings and conferences for the Secretariat and WLA members.
• Carrying out any other duties as assigned from time to time by the Exco.

• Leadership
• Corporate governance
• Litigation
• Advocacy
• Case management
• Policy development
• Strategic planning
• Stakeholder management
• Report writing
• Training and conference organization

• Master’s Degree from a recognizable institution.
• Admitted to practice law in Malawi with a valid practicing licence.
• Minimum of six (6) years post-admission experience.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing sustainable strategies and plans in the protection of the rights of women and children in Malawi.
• Strong understanding of the legal regulatory standards and frameworks governing the rights of women and children in Malawi.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership with an in-depth knowledge of corporate governance.
• Experience in governance of similar organizations is an added advantage.