Job Title: Legal Assistant
Reports To: Manager Legal and Advisory Services and Manager Compliance & Enforcement
Department: Legal, Advisory, and Compliance
Job Summary: The Legal Assistant will play a vital role in managing legal documents, conducting legal research, and ensuring the compliance of all mass enrollment and renewal processes with the law.
About NIRA:
The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) was established by the Registration of Persons Act (ROPA), 2015 and is mandated to establish and maintain the National Identification Register (NIR). The Authority is also charged with, among other things, the registration of citizens and legally resident aliens; assigning National Identification / Alien Identification Numbers (NINs/AINs) to qualifying persons and issuing Identification Cards to those 16 years and above; registration of births, deaths, and adoption orders and issuance of the relevant certificates.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conducting thorough legal research and preparing legal documents, emails, and opinions.
- Providing administrative support to the legal directorate for inquiries during mass enrollment and renewal exercises.
- Researching and analyzing legal sources to draft briefs or arguments for review by Advocates.
- Assisting in organizing meetings and taking meeting minutes for the Directorate of Legal Affairs.
- Supporting the legal team in processing citizen identification and verification complaints.
- Managing the filing of legal documents and correspondence related to Mass Enrollment and Renewal Exercises.
- Assisting in investigations, prosecutions, and report preparation.
- Supporting training and awareness programs on legal provisions and requirements regarding citizenship, identification, and registration.
- Ensuring strict compliance with the Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019.
- Performing any other duties assigned by Supervisors.
Qualifications / Education:
- Bachelor’s degree with Honours in Law (LLB) from a recognized University.
- Completion of the bar course from the Law Development Centre is mandatory.
- Enrollment as an Advocate is an added advantage.
Experience and Skills:
- Knowledge of relevant laws, particularly those concerning citizenship, is advantageous.
- Prior legal practice experience is preferred.
- Experience in litigation and/or prosecution is beneficial.
- Proficiency in IT and computer skills.
- Ability to work independently and under pressure, including night shifts and weekends.
- Excellent communication, writing, and comprehension skills.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
- Team player with empathy and good listening skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of laws related to person registration.
- Experience in citizenship verification is a plus.
- Previous legal practice experience in a busy law firm, parastatal, or organization is advantageous.
