Our valued client, The Gender & Justice Unit, a mission-driven organization, is looking to engage a dedicated and high-performing professional to support its growing portfolio of work. The position offers an opportunity to work in a purpose-led environment where innovation, accountability, and impact are highly valued.

Job Details

Position LEGAL COORDINATOR

Reports To Deputy Director & Programs Manager

Direct Reports Project Lawyers, Legal Research Officer, Legal Research Librarian, Paralegal Officers

Location Lilongwe, Malawi (regular travel to districts and courts)

Contract Type Consultancy – Retainer

Strategic Pillars Pillar 1 (Legal Empowerment), Pillar 2 (Partnerships), Pillar 3 (Community Engagement)

Position Summary

The Legal Coordinator oversees all legal services, research, and clinical activities at GJU, integrating MalawiLII operations, EmpowerLine legal content development, WOJAM mobile court coordination, Legal Aid Bureau collaboration, paralegal network supervision, and strategic litigation. This role ensures quality legal assistance reaches women survivors of GBV while building justice sector partnerships. The position requires seamless coordination across multiple projects and the ability to deploy legal team resources flexibly in line with programme needs and funding priorities.

Key Responsibilities

Integrated Legal Services Delivery

• Coordinate legal clinics, mobile courts, community dialogues, and EmpowerLine-supported case follow-up across 11+ locations
• Ensure trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches in all legal service delivery
• Manage GBV hotline integration, walk-in services, and referral pathways to Legal Aid Bureau offices
• Lead quarterly WOJAM mobile court sessions with enhanced case preparation from EmpowerLine users

MalawiLII Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Oversee MalawiLII content curation, platform development, and integration with EmpowerLine
• Build relationships with the Law Society of Malawi, the Judiciary, legal practitioners, and academic institutions as MalawiLII users and contributors
• Coordinate outreach and training sessions promoting MalawiLII usage among justice sector stakeholders

Paralegal Network & Strategic Litigation

• Provide legal mentorship to 45+ community paralegals across Northern, Central, and Southern regions
• Identify test cases for strategic litigation advancing women’s rights; coordinate with MHRC and treaty bodies
• Facilitate refresher trainings on legal updates, MalawiLII usage, and EmpowerLine technology integration

Required Qualifications & Experience

• LLB degree; admission to practice law in Malawi required; Malawi Law Society membership
• Minimum 5 years’ post-admission experience in gender justice, family law, human rights, or access to justice
• Experience providing legal services to vulnerable populations, especially GBV survivors
• Strong knowledge of the Gender Equality Act, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, and the Marriage/Divorce Act
• Experience in paralegal training, supervision, and legal empowerment models preferred.
• Trauma-informed care training preferred; fluency in English and Chichewa

• Coordinate legal clinics, mobile courts, community dialogues, and EmpowerLine-supported case follow-up across 11+ locations
• Ensure trauma-informed, survivor-centred approaches in all legal service delivery
• Manage GBV hotline integration, walk-in services, and referral pathways to Legal Aid Bureau offices
• Lead quarterly WOJAM mobile court sessions with enhanced case preparation from EmpowerLine users
• Oversee MalawiLII content curation, platform development, and integration with EmpowerLine
• Build relationships with the Law Society of Malawi, the Judiciary, legal practitioners, and academic institutions as MalawiLII users and contributors
• Coordinate outreach and training sessions promoting MalawiLII usage among justice sector stakeholders
• Provide legal mentorship to 45+ community paralegals across Northern, Central, and Southern regions
• Identify test cases for strategic litigation advancing women’s rights; coordinate with MHRC and treaty bodies
• Facilitate refresher trainings on legal updates, MalawiLII usage, and EmpowerLine technology integration

• Fluency in English and Chichewa
• Trauma-informed care

• LLB degree
• Admission to practice law in Malawi required
• Malawi Law Society membership
• Minimum 5 years’ post-admission experience in gender justice, family law, human rights, or access to justice
• Experience providing legal services to vulnerable populations, especially GBV survivors
• Strong knowledge of the Gender Equality Act, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, and the Marriage/Divorce Act
• Experience in paralegal training, supervision, and legal empowerment models preferred.