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Initiative for Legal Aid (ILA)

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Career Volunteer Opportunities

Breaking Barriers. Building Justice. ILA is inviting qualified, committed and values-driven individuals to join its team as Career Volunteers in Protection and Safeguarding.

About the opportunity

About ILA

Initiative for Legal Aid (ILA) is a South Sudanese civil society organization committed to promoting access to justice, legal empowerment, human rights, protection, safeguarding, good governance and the rule of law.

Through legal aid, pro-bono consultations and representation, community outreach, protection interventions, legal awareness, advocacy, referrals and capacity building, ILA works to ensure that vulnerable and underserved individuals and communities can access justice and protection.

As ILA continues to strengthen its programmes and organizational systems, the organization is inviting qualified, committed and values-driven individuals to join its team as Career Volunteers, particularly in the areas of Protection and Safeguarding.

Protection CoordinatorSafeguarding OfficerHow to apply

At a glance

Duty station
Juba, South Sudan
Organization
Initiative for Legal Aid (ILA)
Engagement
Volunteer / Career Development Opportunity
Duration
To be agreed upon
Reporting to
Programme Manager / Executive Director
Application
Open to qualified and motivated applicants

Open positions

Two Career Volunteer positions

Both positions are based in Juba and form part of ILA's Protection and Safeguarding work.

Protection Coordinator — Career Volunteer

Reports directly to the Programme Manager or designated senior programme officer.

The Protection Coordinator Volunteer will support ILA in designing, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and reporting protection-related activities aimed at preventing and responding to protection risks affecting vulnerable individuals and communities.

The position provides an opportunity for a motivated professional to gain practical experience in protection programming, case management support, community engagement, referral systems, protection monitoring and humanitarian standards.

Key responsibilities

  1. Support the development and implementation of ILA's protection activities and workplans.
  2. Conduct or support community-based protection assessments and identification of protection risks.
  3. Support protection monitoring and documentation of emerging protection concerns.
  4. Assist in identifying vulnerable individuals and groups requiring protection assistance.
  5. Support appropriate referrals to legal, psychosocial, medical, humanitarian and other specialized services.
  6. Assist with community awareness sessions on protection, human rights, legal rights and available services.
  7. Support safe and confidential handling of protection-related information.
  8. Help develop protection-related training and awareness materials.
  9. Support coordination with community leaders, local authorities, service providers and relevant partners.
  10. Participate in field visits, community consultations and protection outreach activities.
  11. Maintain appropriate protection activity records and documentation.
  12. Support the development of protection reports, case summaries, activity reports and programme updates.
  13. Identify protection gaps and provide recommendations to programme management.
  14. Support mainstreaming of protection principles across ILA programmes.
  15. Promote the principles of Do No Harm, confidentiality, non-discrimination, dignity, informed consent and survivor-centred approaches.
  16. Support the establishment and strengthening of community-based referral mechanisms.
  17. Participate in programme monitoring, evaluation and learning activities.
  18. Undertake any other protection-related duties assigned by the supervisor.

Safeguarding Officer — Career Volunteer

Reports to the Programme Manager or designated Safeguarding Focal Point, while maintaining appropriate independence and confidentiality when handling safeguarding concerns.

The Safeguarding Officer Volunteer will support ILA in promoting a safe, respectful and accountable environment for beneficiaries, staff, volunteers, partners and communities.

The role will focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), safeguarding, prevention of sexual harassment, child safeguarding, complaints and feedback mechanisms, safeguarding awareness and organizational compliance.

Key responsibilities

  1. Support implementation of ILA's safeguarding policies and procedures.
  2. Support implementation and awareness of ILA's PSEA Policy.
  3. Promote a culture of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment and other forms of misconduct.
  4. Support safeguarding risk assessments across ILA programmes and activities.
  5. Assist in identifying safeguarding risks and recommending appropriate mitigation measures.
  6. Support safeguarding induction and training for staff, volunteers and partners.
  7. Assist in developing safeguarding awareness materials for communities and programme participants.
  8. Promote safe and accessible complaints and feedback mechanisms.
  9. Support the establishment of confidential reporting channels.
  10. Ensure that safeguarding concerns are handled with confidentiality and appropriate referral.
  11. Support the documentation and maintenance of safeguarding records in accordance with organizational procedures.
  12. Promote child safeguarding principles where programmes involve children or young people.
  13. Support prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in ILA operations.
  14. Assist with safeguarding due diligence for volunteers, staff, consultants and partners.
  15. Support the integration of safeguarding into programme design and implementation.
  16. Participate in safeguarding monitoring visits and compliance reviews.
  17. Prepare safeguarding activity reports and contribute to management reports.
  18. Support organizational awareness campaigns on safeguarding, PSEA and code of conduct.
  19. Immediately escalate serious safeguarding concerns through the appropriate internal reporting mechanism.
  20. Perform other safeguarding-related responsibilities assigned by management.

Structure

Reporting line

  1. Executive Director
  2. Programme Manager / Head of Programmes
  3. Protection Coordinator / Safeguarding Officer
  4. Career Volunteer

Serious safeguarding, PSEA, abuse or misconduct concerns must be escalated immediately through ILA's approved safeguarding reporting mechanism.

Ethical & safeguarding requirements

All ILA Career Volunteers will be expected to comply with the organization's:

  • Code of Conduct
  • Safeguarding Policy
  • PSEA Policy
  • Child Safeguarding requirements
  • Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption standards
  • Confidentiality requirements
  • Conflict of Interest provisions
  • Data protection and information-management procedures
  • Non-discrimination principles
  • Do No Harm principles

Volunteers must never exploit their position or relationship with beneficiaries, communities or colleagues.

Any allegation or concern involving sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, child abuse, serious misconduct or other safeguarding violations must be reported through the designated ILA reporting mechanism.

What we are looking for

Qualifications and skills

Qualifications & education

Applicants should possess a relevant academic or professional background. Preferred fields include:

  • Law
  • Human Rights
  • International Law
  • International Relations
  • Development Studies
  • Social Work
  • Gender Studies
  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Humanitarian Studies
  • Public Administration
  • Community Development
  • Peace and Conflict Studies
  • Protection Studies
  • Other related disciplines

A university degree, diploma or relevant professional qualification is desirable.

Relevant practical experience may be considered alongside academic qualifications.

Professional skills

  • Protection and safeguarding knowledge
  • Human rights knowledge
  • Legal and policy research skills
  • Case documentation skills
  • Report writing
  • Community engagement
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Data collection and documentation
  • Referral and coordination skills
  • Risk identification and mitigation
  • Confidential information management
  • Monitoring and reporting
  • Training and facilitation
  • Basic programme management
  • Microsoft Office and digital literacy

Additional valuable skills

  • PSEA knowledge
  • Child safeguarding knowledge
  • Gender-based violence awareness
  • Conflict sensitivity
  • Do No Harm principles
  • Survivor-centred approaches
  • Community-based protection
  • Complaints and feedback mechanisms
  • Humanitarian principles
  • Knowledge of South Sudan's legal and institutional environment

Personal qualities

The people ILA is looking for

  • Integrity

    Honest, ethical and trustworthy in professional conduct.

  • Confidentiality

    Able to protect sensitive information and respect privacy.

  • Empathy

    Able to interact respectfully with survivors, vulnerable persons and communities.

  • Professionalism

    Demonstrates discipline, reliability and respect.

  • Accountability

    Takes responsibility for assigned duties and results.

  • Respect

    Treats all individuals equally and without discrimination.

  • Commitment to Justice

    Genuine interest in human rights, legal empowerment and access to justice.

  • Teamwork

    Able to work effectively with colleagues, partners and communities.

  • Initiative

    Willing to identify problems and propose practical solutions.

  • Adaptability

    Able to work effectively in challenging and changing environments.

  • Cultural Sensitivity

    Respects community structures, cultures and different perspectives.

  • Learning Mindset

    Willing to learn, receive feedback and develop professionally.

Expected contribution

Key deliverables

  • Protection workplans and activity schedules
  • Protection monitoring reports
  • Community awareness activities
  • Referral directories and mechanisms
  • Protection risk assessments
  • Safeguarding risk assessments
  • PSEA awareness sessions
  • Safeguarding training and induction
  • Complaints and feedback mechanisms
  • Protection and safeguarding documentation
  • Monthly or periodic programme reports
  • Programme monitoring and evaluation
  • Lessons learned and recommendations
  • Development of protection and safeguarding materials

Records

Reporting & documentation

Career Volunteers will be expected to maintain professional documentation of their work. Depending on the assignment, this may include:

  • Daily activity notes
  • Weekly activity updates
  • Monthly volunteer reports
  • Field visit reports
  • Community engagement reports
  • Training reports
  • Referral records
  • Programme monitoring information
  • Lessons learned
  • Challenges and recommendations

No confidential beneficiary information should be included in ordinary reports unless specifically authorized and handled in accordance with ILA's data protection and safeguarding procedures.

What ILA offers

A career development opportunity

The Career Volunteer Programme is designed to provide practical professional development opportunities. Successful volunteers may receive:

  • Practical experience

    Hands-on exposure to protection, safeguarding, legal aid and community-based programming.

  • Professional mentorship

    Guidance from experienced legal, programme and development professionals.

  • Training opportunities

    Participation in relevant internal training, workshops and capacity-building activities where available.

  • Professional development

    Opportunities to strengthen report writing, programme coordination, fieldwork, safeguarding and stakeholder engagement skills.

  • Career exposure

    Practical experience that can strengthen future applications for NGO, humanitarian, legal and development-sector positions.

  • Certificate of Volunteer Service

    Volunteers who successfully complete the agreed period and requirements may receive an ILA Certificate of Volunteer Service/Professional Experience, subject to organizational policy.

  • Professional reference

    Where appropriate, volunteers who demonstrate satisfactory performance may be considered for a professional reference upon completion of their assignment.

Eligibility

Who should apply?

This opportunity is particularly suitable for:

  • Law graduates and law students
  • Human rights professionals
  • Social workers
  • Protection practitioners
  • Safeguarding practitioners
  • Development professionals
  • Gender and GBV practitioners
  • International relations graduates
  • Community development practitioners
  • Young professionals seeking NGO experience
  • Experienced professionals seeking to contribute their skills on a voluntary basis

ILA particularly welcomes applicants who demonstrate a genuine commitment to justice, human rights, protection, safeguarding and community service.

Applications

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit:

  1. Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Copies of relevant academic/professional certificates where applicable
  4. Contact details of two professional referees
  5. Brief statement explaining their interest in volunteering with ILA

Applications should clearly indicate the position being applied for:

  • “CAREER VOLUNTEER – PROTECTION COORDINATOR”
  • “CAREER VOLUNTEER – SAFEGUARDING OFFICER”

Applications and enquiries may be sent to legalaid4southsudan@gmail.com, or submitted through the contact page. No closing date has been set — applications are considered as they are received.

Important notice

This is a career volunteer opportunity and should not be understood as an automatic offer of paid employment.

Volunteer assignments, responsibilities, duration, working arrangements and any applicable support will be determined in accordance with ILA's organizational policies and available resources.

Selection will be based on qualification, demonstrated skills, integrity, commitment, availability and suitability for the role.

Join the movement

Breaking Barriers. Building Justice.

If you are passionate about justice, human rights, protection, safeguarding and serving communities, ILA invites you to become part of a growing team committed to making justice and protection more accessible. Empowering communities. Protecting rights. Expanding access to justice.

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