Intern – Legal, Policy & Advocacy (F4B)
Job Description
ABOUT THE ROLE
- In Kenya, Future4Binti will be implemented in Garissa, Kajiado, Mandera, Marsabit, Migori, Narok, Samburu, Tana River, Wajir, and West Pokot regions. These ten counties were selected based on their high rates of HP and persistent challenges in addressing them. Recognising the porous borders and cross-border mobility of the target populations, Future4Binti will also work in border regions, including parts of Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. Additionally, to transform pregnancy outcomes for hard-to-reach young women, we will accelerate the rollout of the Dutch Combination Strategy (Combi Track) by partnering with Kisumu and Homa Bay counties.
- Under the supervision of the Technical Officer, the Legal & Policy Intern will support the implementation of Pathway 4, which focuses on legal, policy, and social accountability mechanisms. The intern will provide technical legal support to strengthen the capacity of duty bearers, community champions, and local partners to advocate for and enforce laws countering harmful practices.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Policy and Advocacy Support
- Work closely with the Anti-FGM Board to ensure the active participation of target counties and partners in the public participation process for the draft anti-FGM policy, which serves as a revision of the current Prohibition of FGM Act (2011).
- Assist in conducting evidence-based policy analysis to identify gaps in the implementation of national laws such as the Prohibition of FGM Act (2011) and the Children Act (2022).
- Support the development of policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy materials to influence sub-national, national and regional legal frameworks.
- Participate in national and regional task force meetings to support the harmonization of cross-border anti-FGM/C laws and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
Legal Capacity Strengthening & Training
- Assist in the training and engagement of duty bearers including law enforcement, administrative authorities, and judicial officers on human rights and the enforcement of anti-HP laws.
- Help develop simplified legal toolkits and “Know Your Rights” materials for community engagement and in-school manuals.
- Support the training of local CSOs, community champions, and school educators on the legal and policy aspects of countering harmful practices.
Accountability and Reporting
- Assist the team in compiling and drafting weekly and monthly activity reports to track the progress of legal and advocacy interventions.
- Assist in tracking and reporting on the performance of judicial services
- Help document success stories, legal case studies, and the outcomes of advocacy meetings to show the impact of the programme.
- Actively participate in meetings to discuss program data, share learnings from the field, and support adaptive management to improve programme outcomes.
Networking, Collaboration and Resource Leveraging
- Assist in representing the programme in relevant national-level and county-level technical working groups and legal/gender platforms, ensuring that participation adds value to the programme’s policy and advocacy goals.
- Assist in identifying opportunities to integrate anti-harmful practice (FGM/CEFMU) legal awareness into other development sectors at the sub-national level, such as education and health.
Adherence to Principles of Safeguarding and Do no harm
- Ensure adherence at all times to safeguarding and do no harm policies and guidelines
- Report any safeguarding concerns as appropriate
- Practice confidentiality in handling delicate matters
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from a recognized university.
- Demonstrated interest in human rights, gender-based violence, or child protection law.
- Prior experience in community outreach, advocacy, or legal aid is an added advantage.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
- Strong understanding of Kenyan legal frameworks, particularly the Prohibition of FGM Act (2011) and the Children Act (2022).
- Exceptional Writing and analytical skills.
- Ability to simplify complex legal concepts for non-legal audiences.
- Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills, with the ability to navigate complex cultural dynamics.