Position Summary

IRLI has progressively grown through the years, expanding both its programme portfolio and stakeholder partnerships. The organisation is now at an exciting stage having recently completed its 2026 – 2030 strategic plan, secured multi-annual funding from the European Union, and is developing its renewed five-year proposal to the Embassy of Ireland, Malawi. The IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary) will be expected to contribute to the development of this proposal, providing the successful candidate with an opportunity to help shape IRLI’s future work with the Judiciary of Malawi and other criminal justice sector stakeholders. A broad programme base has been established, ranging from access to justice, institutional capacity strengthening, and legal education.

The role of IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary) was developed in 2015 to offer technical support to the Malawi Judiciary. The role entails working closely alongside the Malawi Judiciary under a Memorandum of Understanding, and with three stakeholders in particular: the Chief Registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court of Malawi, the Head of the Malawi Judiciary Development Programme, and the Chair of the Malawi Judiciary Training Committee. Working alongside all three, the successful candidate will offer technical support to the Judiciary in areas such as: capacity strengthening, internal coordination, judicial visits, court user committee meetings.

The role is under the direct supervision of the Country Director in Malawi, and the Director of Programmes, based in Ireland.

Role and responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary) will have the following tasks and responsibilities:

Liaise regularly with the Chief Registrar of the High Court and Supreme Court, the Head of the Malawi Judiciary Development Programme, and the Chair of the Malawi Judiciary Training Committee to support the Judiciary in strategy implementation.
Provide technical support to the Judiciary as required.
Support institutionalisation and sustainability of Judiciary training programmes and various capacity strengthening initiatives.
Support the Judiciary with materials, logistics, and technical support with regards to capacity strengthening initiatives and activities.
Support policy reform and advocacy initiatives aimed at strengthening fair trial rights, alternatives to detention, access to justice, and reduction of prison congestion.
Represent IRLI in relevant justice sector coordination meetings, technical working groups, stakeholder forums, and donor engagements as delegated. Work with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Manager to ensure all required MEAL is reported for donor reports.
Monitor developments in criminal justice, human rights, and judicial reform in Malawi and provide strategic recommendations to IRLI management.
Support data quality assurance, analysis, learning, and utilisation for adaptive programme management and donor reporting.
Contribute to programme evaluations, impact assessments, and evidence generation for donor and other reports.
Oversee budget on allocated activities.
Assist the IRLI team in general in the organisation and implementation of general programme activities where the need arises.
Fundraising, donor engagement, Grant/proposal writing and report writing for IRLI activities.
These roles and responsibilities provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list.

Qualifications

Essential

Qualified solicitor/barrister/lawyer/attorney with at least 2 years’ post-qualification experience in criminal law or human rights law and with a strong, demonstrable understanding of justice reform and legal development processes.

Persons who are not qualified lawyers, but who hold a master’s degree or higher in law or human rights will be considered eligible for the role if they demonstrate extensive experience working in a legal/development/human rights context.

Desirable

Programme management and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) experience
Person Specification

Essential Requirements

Excellent diplomacy and negotiation skills.
Strong ability to motivate others.
Ability to adapt quickly to a new cultural environment.
Exceptional time management and problem-solving skills.
Team spirit, flexibility, commitment to IRLI’s values and human rights, initiative and creativity to further develop IRLI’s programme and activities.
Ability to work independently but also as part of a team.
Excellent managerial and organisational skills.
Excellent communication skills, written and oral.
Fluency in written and spoken English.
Excellent computer and data analysis skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.).
Full Driving Licence.
Commitment to the programme for a minimum of one year [subject to the probationary period].
Desirable Requirements

Experience preparing, working with, and managing budgets.
Experience in proposal/report writing.
Experience working in the Global South.
Fluency in Chichewa.

Please submit:

A curriculum vitae.
The CV must be no more than three pages in length and use font size no smaller than 11.

It should include the names and contact details of two referees (who will not be contacted without seeking permission).

A cover letter.
The letter must be no more than two pages in length and use font size no smaller than 11.

Please describe why you are interested in the position and summarise your relevant experience and suitability for the post.

All applications must be submitted with the email subject line “IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary), Malawi”