Program Manager – Legal Aid, Judicial Training Project, Sri Lanka

Management Systems International (MSI) is a global international development firm based in Washington, D.C. providing specialized short- and long-term technical assistance. MSI is part of Coffey International Development, a global international development consulting firm. Together with Coffey ID, MSI now has more than 1,500 development professionals worldwide, a corporate presence in 11 countries and manages more than 200 projects worldwide. It currently manages more than 20 long-term projects in countries, including Iraq, Sudan, Colombia and Russia. Broadly, MSI implements a range of analytical and field projects in its core technical areas, including democracy and governance, strategic management and performance improvement, organizational capacity building, human development and natural resource management. For more information on MSI, please visit our website at www.msiworldwide.com.

Project/Proposal Summary:
This 2.5 year, USAID-funded project will assist the Government of Sri Lanka, the Judicial Services Commission and the judiciary to improve the management and efficacy of the Sri Lanka legal system, and improve access to justice to conflict affected and marginalized communities. The program will support the institutional capacity development of the Ministry of Justice, the Judges Training Institute and the Judicial Services Commission.

Please Note: This is a local position. Only Sri Lankan citizens are eligible to apply

Position Summary: MSI is seeking an experienced Program Manager to be responsible for the overall development and implementation of the legal aid components of this project. Under the overall management of the Chief of Party and direct supervision of the Senior Program Manager – Civil Society and Stakeholder Outreach, the Program Manager – Legal Aid will be responsible for assisting in the design and implementation of a sub-grants project that would improve access to justice for marginalized communities in conflict-affected areas through increased legal aid assistance.

Responsibilities: • Under the direct supervision of the Senior Program Manager – Civil Society and Stakeholder Outreach, lead development and implementation of the legal aid component of this project. • Assist in the selection and management of sub-grants to NGOs and legal aid service providers for the provision of pro bono legal services and implementation of civil society advocacy campaigns. • Assist in the selection and management of sub-grants to NGOs and legal aid service providers for the provision of pro bono legal aid services. • Work closely with the Legal Aid Commission and its branch offices to provide capacity-building and organizational development assistance to legal aid NGOs to improve the provision of legal aid assistance, particularly in conflict-affected regions. • Coordinate with the Legal Aid Commission and other technical assistance projects, as well as local NGOs working with these technical assistance projects, to provide legal aid, in order to ensure a comprehensive and effective network of legal aid services.

Qualifications: • Degree in law is required. • Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with the Legal Aid Commission, mobile legal aid clinics, or NGO legal aid service providers required, particularly in the North and East regions. • Demonstrated experience in the design and implementation of legal aid programs by civil society organizations is essential. • Previous experience managing and implementing projects with sub-grants is ideal. • Background in developing and maintaining civil society or legal aid networks is beneficial. • Fluency in English and Tamil is required.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

How to apply:

To apply, please visit our website: www.msiworldwide.com.