Paralegal / Legal Officer

Job Description

Organization: FAITH (Astha)
Project: Strengthening Inclusive Civic Participation of Marginalized Women in Nepal
Duty Station: Kathmandu Valley
Employment Type: Project-based
Project Duration: Up to 31 August 2027, subject to project requirements
Number of Positions: As per project requirements
Application Deadline: November 13, 2026

About FAITH

FAITH (Astha) is a women-led national organization working to advance the health and human rights of marginalized and vulnerable communities, including female sex workers, women living with HIV, and other key affected populations.

Through the project Strengthening Inclusive Civic Participation of Marginalized Women in Nepal, FAITH aims to increase the knowledge, confidence, and civic participation of female and transgender women sex workers by addressing barriers to legal identity documentation, voter registration, and access to public services.

Position: Paralegal/Legal Officer

Position Overview

FAITH (Astha) is seeking a qualified and experienced Legal Officer or Paralegal to support beneficiaries in obtaining citizenship certificates, National Identity Cards, and voter registration documents under the project. The position will provide legal guidance, documentation assistance, case management, civic education, and coordination with relevant government authorities to address legal and administrative barriers faced by female and transgender women sex workers and other marginalized communities.

The position title and level of responsibility will be determined based on the candidate’s qualifications, professional license, and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal guidance on citizenship, National Identity Cards, voter registration, and civic rights.
• Identify and address beneficiaries’ documentation barriers and legal challenges.
• Assist with applications, referrals, and follow-ups with relevant authorities.
• Assess complex cases and provide legal advice or referrals within professional scope.
• Coordinate with government offices, legal service providers, and project staff.
• Conduct legal awareness and non-partisan civic education sessions.
• Train and guide peer civic leaders and project staff on legal and administrative procedures.
• Identify systemic barriers and support advocacy and policy recommendations.
• Maintain confidential case records, track progress, and prepare reports.
• Ensure informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, and data protection.
• Support project monitoring, evaluation, learning, and other assigned duties.

Job Specification

Required Qualifications and Experience

If Legal Officer:

• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B.) from a recognized institution.
• Valid Nepal Bar Council license and eligibility to practice law, where required for assigned duties.
• Relevant experience in legal aid, human rights, citizenship documentation, voter registration, or access to justice is preferred.
• Strong legal research, case assessment, advisory, communication, documentation, and reporting skills.

If Paralegal:

• Certificate of Paralegal Studies, or a related field; relevant legal training is an advantage.
• At least five years of relevant work experience in paralegal services, community-based legal support, human rights, legal awareness, case management, or supporting marginalized communities.
• Practical knowledge of citizenship, National Identity Card, voter registration, and relevant administrative procedures in Nepal.
• Experience assisting beneficiaries with documentation, government procedures, referrals, and case follow-up.

Additional Requirements:

• Commitment to human rights, gender equality, inclusion, and non-discrimination.
• Experience working with marginalized women, transgender communities, sex workers, or other vulnerable groups is an advantage.
• Strong communication, coordination, problem-solving, interpersonal, and report-writing skills.
• Proficiency in Nepali; knowledge of English and relevant local languages is an advantage.
• Basic computer skills and ability to maintain accurate, confidential digital records.
• Empathy, professionalism, and a beneficiary-centred approach.
• Willingness to travel to project locations and relevant government offices as required.

Reporting and Supervision

• The Paralegal / Legal Officer will report to the designated Project Officer and / Executive Director and work closely with the wider project team.

Safeguarding and Confidentiality : The successful candidate must uphold FAITH’s safeguarding, confidentiality, non-discrimination, and data protection requirements. Legal support must be provided impartially, with respect for beneficiaries’ informed choices, dignity, and privacy.

Required Skills

• Documentation
• Legal
• Legal Research
• MS Word
• MS Excel

About the Company

FAITH (Friends Affected & Infected Together in Hand) is a not for profit, non-governmental organisation working on behalf of socially marginalized and vulnerable populations. It is a national level women-led organization i.e., women are in decision making positions like on the executive board, as general members, in its secretariat.

Our Journey

FAITH emerged in response to a national movement advocating for health rights for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and people who use drugs (PWUD). In the early 2000s, many faced severe illnesses and succumbed to AIDS due to inadequate medical care, pervasive stigma, and government indifference. Communities began forming support networks, aided by international partners’ technical and financial support, leading to the establishment of nationwide organizations often led by those directly affected.

In 2005, FAITH was founded with a mission to create a supportive community for those infected and affected by HIV. From the outset, the organization prioritized advocacy for favorable policies, empowerment, and the transformation of social norms over direct service delivery. The combined efforts of FAITH and similar organizations significantly expanded HIV services, providing hope for productive and fulfilling lives for those living with HIV.

Recognizing the heightened vulnerability of people living with HIV to Tuberculosis (TB), FAITH pioneered programs for TB screening and treatment, now a life-saving standard protocol. This achievement underscored the need to address broader challenges. Adolescents and women living with HIV, female sex workers, and women who use drugs continue to face barriers to accessing health and human rights, prompting FAITH to broaden its scope.

In 2015, FAITH declared itself a women-led organization, marking a pivotal moment in its evolution. The organization expanded its initiatives to include advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), prevention of gender-based violence, economic empowerment, gender equality, and social equity. Today, FAITH empowers and supports female and trans sex workers, women who use drugs, women living with HIV, girls and women from indigenous and Dalit communities, individuals with disabilities, and those marginalized by geographic isolation, political exclusion, or economic hardships.

Collaborating with beneficiary-led Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), FAITH continues to address crucial issues and foster positive change. Our journey has been a profound learning experience, offering insights into our community and strategies to make governance more responsive and accountable. We are committed to leveraging these lessons to drive innovation and create a society that embraces dignity and equality for vulnerable and marginalized populations.