Call for Applications | Project Manager | Project on Women’s Leadership in Law! NLSIU!

NLSIU is looking to hire a Project Manager for a project on ‘Women’s Leadership in Law’. This is a full-time position for a year from the start of the contract and may be extended subject to extension of project funds.

Location: Bengaluru, India

About the project

This project aims to embed gender justice in the legal profession. Through research-driven policy interventions, empowerment initiatives and capacity building, it seeks to examine structural barriers hindering women’s growth within the legal profession, facilitate conditions for change-making efforts by women lawyers, and promote the rise of women to leadership positions within the profession. Its key components include research, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness.

NLS faculty Dr Aparna Chandra and Dr Atreyee Majumder are the Principal Investigators on the project.

Role description

The Project Manager will work under the supervision of the Principal Investigators and will have the following responsibilities:

Input into the research design, strategy and planning through different stages of the project.
Contribute to preparing the project strategy documents under the guidance of the faculty team.
Develop background notes, short briefs, and/or papers as required through the project.
Coordinate the implementation of activities including liaising with stakeholders, organizing consultations, scheduling meetings, documenting minutes and coordinating follow-up as necessary.
Closely monitor and provide guidance regarding project budget, spending and costs
Maintain monthly progress reports on the activities and budget
Manage internal administrative coordination for the project including ensuring timely internal approvals for all activities, compliance with procurement policies, coordinating all travel bookings, raising invoices and submission of accounts, and ensuring completion of reporting requirements.
Ensure systematic documentation of project activities and maintain records through suitable digital platforms.
Oversee and guide the work of the research assistants under the project.
Ensure timely reporting to the funders as per the agreed schedule and formats.
Assist in any other tasks as required.

Qualifications and skills

The ideal candidate must have the following skills and qualifications:

Essential
● Postgraduate degree
● 5-8 years of work experience in research and advocacy on legal and related issues (access to justice, human rights, legal reform)
● Experience engaging with civil society, government and/or the judiciary
● Proven research and writing record
● Proven coordination skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and stakeholders concurrently and effectively
● Willing and able to discuss, brainstorm, and ideate with a range of different stakeholders across government, civil society, and academic institutions

Desirable
● Bachelor’s Degree in Law
● Practice as a litigating lawyer preferably in the district/trial courts
● Ability to be solution-oriented and get a lot done quickly
● Capacity to think strategically and weigh in on conceptual and organizational challenges on topics that might not be familiar to you
● Proven project management experience including managing budgets, preparing progress reports and liaising with funders
● High level of independence and attention to detail

How to apply

Please fill this application form and include the following documents:
● An updated CV
● A short statement outlining your interest in working with us and why you would be a good fit for the role (not more than 500 words)
● A sole-authored writing sample.
● Details of two referees with contact details.

Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview round. Due to time constraints, we can unfortunately only contact shortlisted candidates; if you do not hear from us within 15 days, please assume your application was not taken forward.