Senior Executive Legal Officer at Women's Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) Nigeria

Role Summary

• The Senior Executive Legal Officer shall provide strategic legal and institutional oversight to WRAPA Legal Department by ensuring that the department operations, programmes, and partnerships comply with applicable legal and regulatory frameworks vis a vis WRAPA overall operational legal frameworks.
• The role will lead the legal aid service delivery, legal advocacy initiatives, stakeholder engagement, policy influence, contract management, and institutional legal risk management.
• The Senior Executive Officer will also contribute to strengthening access to justice mechanisms for women, girls and vulnerable groups while supporting WRAPA broader mission of advancing gender equity and social justice.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead on Legal Advisory and Institutional Compliance
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), partnership agreements, and other legal instruments to safeguard WRAPA interest.
• Represent WRAPA in legal proceedings, mediations, negotiations, dispute resolution and ensuring a robust defence in advocacy for women’s right.
• Conduct legal training sessions for staff to ensure they understand relevant laws, rights and obligations.
• Monitor legislative and policy developments affecting women’s rights, civic space, and social justice.
• Facilitate WRAPA external stakeholder engagements, workshop, public forums and legal awareness initiatives
• Implement WRAPA legal advocacy initiatives aimed at legal reforms to protect and empower women
• Engage government institutions, justice sector actors, civil society organizations, and relevant stakeholders on legal and policy matters.
• Coordinate the development and maintenance of information system relating to judicial actors, legal institutions, case management and justice sector stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from a recognized institution, Master of Laws (LL.M.) or relevant postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.
• Membership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) is mandatory.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years post-call legal practice experience.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate effectively with WRAPA Teams and stakeholders.
• Experience working with NGOs, development organizations, advocacy groups, or public interest law institutions is highly required.
• Experience in women’s rights, gender justice, human rights, or social justice programming is an added advantage.
• Strong knowledge of the Nigerian legal system, particularly family law, human rights law, gender legislation, and NGO regulatory frameworks
• Certification in Human Rights Law, Gender Studies, ADR, Compliance, or related fields will be an advantage.
• Proven experience in handling litigation, contract law and regulatory compliance matters is mandatory.
• Excellent legal drafting, interpretation and contract negotiation skills.
• Strong commitment to advancing gender equity and social justice
• Ability to provide sound legal advice, that can guide WRAPA on all legal intricates on decision making, leadership capabilities and legal cases.

Physical Requirements:

• The position is primary sedentary, involving extensive desk work, computer use and document review vis a vis extended period of sitting during meetings, court appearances or consultations.

Working Conditions

• The senior Executive Legal Officer will work Four (4) days on-site and one day remotely (however work exigencies and prompt agencies may require full physical presence at the office or designated location).
• Must be available for all engagement (both physically & virtual) and proactive in responding to emails and all official correspondence.
• Work location and hours are primary office-based with standard working hours, peculiar changes would be subject to work exigencies, nature of case or project demands.
• Client Interaction: Frequent engagement with vulnerable groups, including women seeking legal protection, which involve handing sensitive and emotionally challenging cases.
• Collaborative Environment: Requires working closely with WRAPA advocacy, program, and management team as well as external counsel and partners.
• The role may involve working under pressure with tight deadlines, especially during legal proceeding or urgent advocacy campaigns.

Direct Reports:
The Senior Executive Legal Officer supervises the following positions;

• Executive Legal Officers
• Legal Assistant
• Paralegals
• Interns or Legal Volunteers (as assigned).