Legal Consultant, Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM)

Legal Aid Society is seeking an experienced Legal Consultant to lead the legal services component of a province-wide Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) focused on persons with disabilities. The Consultant will manage grievance resolution, provide legal advice, coordinate referrals, facilitate administrative processes, oversee litigation, and implement strategic legal interventions. This role involves close collaboration with government counterparts and relevant institutions to support the enforcement of the Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018, ensuring that persons with disabilities can fully access their legal rights and protections. The Consultant will report to the Litigation Manager and work alongside LAS teams, maintaining all case records and legal documents within LAS’s case-management system with strict confidentiality and safeguarding protocols.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the legal services aspect of the GRM by preparing an annual legal workplan within the first month and monthly workplans thereafter. Manage case progression from intake through resolution, ensuring timely follow-up on delayed matters.
- Apply the Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018, and related laws to address individual grievances and systemic issues such as employment quotas, discrimination, reasonable accommodation, education, healthcare, accessibility, documentation, social protection, and denial of rights.
- Develop and implement legal policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and standards within six weeks. These should cover eligibility, intake, assessment, referrals, escalation, representation, accessibility, safeguarding, confidentiality, and case closure, including criteria for administrative versus formal legal interventions.
- Act as the primary legal liaison with government officials and institutions, facilitating case reviews, legal interpretations, and administrative follow-ups.
- Provide timely legal advice, maintain referral networks, draft complaints, applications, legal notices, and related documents, and ensure follow-up on referred cases until resolution.
- Manage significant litigation and supervise GRM-related cases, reviewing pleadings and legal opinions, while identifying opportunities for strategic or public interest litigation.
- Supervise GRM lawyers by allocating cases, conducting case reviews, maintaining legal quality, and implementing capacity-building initiatives focused on disability legislation, employment rights, constitutional and administrative remedies, accessibility, and strategic litigation.
- Maintain accurate case records and submit monthly legal progress reports to LAS. Provide quarterly updates to government counterparts, analyzing trends and recommending administrative, legal, or policy responses.

Required Qualifications

- LLB degree from a recognized university.
- Enrolment as an Advocate of the High Court.
- 3 to 5 years of relevant legal and litigation experience, including leadership or supervisory roles.
- Demonstrated expertise in labour and employment law, particularly employment rights and discrimination.
- Strong knowledge of disability rights and the Sindh Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2018.
- Experience in constitutional, public interest, or strategic litigation.
- Background in grievance redressal, legal aid, administrative matters, or rights-based casework.
- Proven ability to coordinate with government officials and public institutions.
- Excellent legal drafting, case analysis, and advocacy skills.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English and Urdu; knowledge of Sindhi is an advantage.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience working with persons with disabilities or on disability rights programs is highly desirable.
- An LLM in a relevant field or Bar-at-Law qualification is preferred.

The Consultant will report directly to the Litigation Manager and is expected to deliver an annual legal workplan within four weeks of joining, legal policies and SOPs within six weeks, ongoing case management and litigation supervision, capacity-building plans for the legal team, monthly progress reports, and quarterly updates for government counterparts.

Applicants should submit an updated CV, copies of academic qualifications, proof of enrolment as an Advocate of the High Court, and relevant experience documents. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a portfolio review or clarification meeting before final selection.