Paralegal and Database Coordinator – The International Legal Foundation عودة إلى الفرص

ABOUT THE ILF:

The International Legal Foundation (the ILF), an international not-for-profit organization was created in 2001, for the purpose of assisting post-conflict and transitional countries in developing effective legal aid systems (www.theilf.org). Driven by the belief that every person accused of a crime, no matter their ability to pay, deserves to be represented by a well-trained lawyer the ILF has legal aid programs in Afghanistan, Nepal, Tunisia, Palestineand Myanmar. In addition to its ground up work establishing the right to defense, the ILF also performs high-level world-wide advocacy, pushing countries, international institutions, and donors to prioritize legal aid as a fundamental human right.

The goal of the ILF’s program in Tunisia is to mentor Tunisian lawyers to provide quality, effective criminal defense services to poor people charged with crimes. The ILF is looking for a student interested in an unpaid internship that will provide them with experience translating legal and other documents between English, Arabic and French.

Job Description

The Paralegal and Database Coordinator works with ILF lawyers, New York staff, and volunteer international lawyers to keep well-organized case files, directly assist with client representation by interacting with court personnel and individuals involved with the justice system, collect and enter data into the ILF’s case database, and conduct quantitative analysis for donor reports and project monitoring, evaluation, and learning. This position may require interviewing witnesses in a criminal case and occasional travel to Kasserine. 

This position reports to the Legal Director (for in-country paralegal duties) and the Program Director (for all other duties). There is opportunity for growth and development, and candidates early in their career are encouraged to apply.

The essential responsibilities for this position are:

Paralegal

• Organize legal case files in an electronic system.
• Enter case and client data in a reliable and timely fashion.
• Work with lawyers to determine when cases are scheduled for hearing.
• Appear in court to notify officials when lawyers are unable to be present.
• Coordinate supporting logistics and documents around trainings, events or meetings, including minutes, participant lists, and capturing photos.
• Participate in outreach to community based programs.
• Interview witnesses in a criminal case.
• Locate people who may have information that will assist in a criminal defense.
• Work effectively with ILF-Tunisia international staff, experts and fellows.
• Travel around greater Tunis and to other regions within the country, if needed.

Database Coordinator

• Maintain a simple database of client information and criminal case data, including entering, cleaning, validating, and verifying data. 
• Make necessary updates to the database that are agreed upon with the appropriate program team staff, and proactively advise on improvements needed to better track quality legal services and their impact.
• Coordinate with program staff to update intake and monitoring and evaluation processes to ensure the necessary data is collected for entry into the database.
• Provide reports and quantitative analysis to demonstrate impact for donors in accordance with project and grant requirements, and for monitoring, evaluation, and learning in the context of ILF projects and programming.
• Work with the Program Team to improve data processes to maximize efficiency.