Irish Rule of Law International Programme Lawyer [Judiciary], Malawi
- Organisation: Irish Rule of Law International
Posted: 26 May 2026 | Closing Date: 12 June 2026
Position: IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary), Malawi
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Work Schedule: Full-time
Salary: €40,000 - €45,000 (commensurate with experience), plus benefits.
Reports To: Malawi Country Director
Organisation Overview
Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is a civil society organisation supported by legal professions across Ireland. We are dedicated to strengthening justice systems and upholding human rights in various jurisdictions. Our current programmes focus on improving access to justice in Malawi, advancing survivor-centred justice in Tanzania, and supporting anti-corruption initiatives in Zambia. We also undertake smaller projects in partnership with pro bono, civil society, and human rights organizations. Established in 2007 by the Law Society of Ireland and the Bar Council of Ireland, IRLI expanded its partnerships in 2015 to include the Law Society of Northern Ireland and the Bar of Northern Ireland. Funding is provided by the Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Ireland, and the European Union.
Our operations are based in Dublin, Ireland, and Lilongwe, Malawi, with a staff member also located in Lusaka, Zambia. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, ensuring our work is locally driven, responsive to stakeholder priorities, and executed through strong partnerships with local organizations and communities. Our history is marked by collaboration with academics, judges, legal practitioners, policymakers, and civil society to deepen the collective understanding of the rule of law, democracy, sustainable development, and human rights.
Organisation Values
- Participation: We are rooted in partnership and collaboration, built on shared learning and mutual respect. We listen to and are guided by partner needs and priorities.
- Humility: We approach our work with openness and respect, aware that our role is to support, and learn from those closest to the issues.
- Compassion: We are committed to strengthening justice systems where all people are treated with dignity, where they can place their trust and feel protected.
- Integrity: We act with honesty, transparency and fairness, holding ourselves and our partners to the highest ethical standards.
- Justice: Justice and equality guide everything we do, ensuring fairness for people is not just an aim but a standard.
Position Summary
IRLI has grown significantly over the years, expanding its programme scope and network of collaborations. The organisation is currently in an exciting phase, having completed its 2026–2030 strategic plan, secured multi-annual funding from the European Union, and is developing a renewed five-year proposal for the Embassy of Ireland in Malawi. The IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary) will play a key role in shaping IRLI's future engagement with the Judiciary of Malawi and other criminal justice sector stakeholders. Our established programmes cover access to justice, institutional capacity building, and legal education.
This Programme Lawyer role, established in 2015, provides essential technical support to the Malawi Judiciary. Working under a Memorandum of Understanding, the position involves close collaboration with 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. The successful candidate will offer technical assistance in areas such as capacity building, internal coordination, judicial visits, and court user committee meetings.
The role is directly supervised by the Country Director in Malawi and the Director of Programmes, who is based in Ireland.
Online Information Session
An online information session will be held on Wednesday, 3 June, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm (GMT). Members of the IRLI executive team will provide an overview of the organisation’s work, its value and impact, and the countries in which it operates. This session is an opportunity to address any questions you may have.
Join the session via the following Teams link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/351556833871959?p=m8AWVvEHLFKjMRLorC
Role and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary) will undertake the following responsibilities:
- Maintain regular communication 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's strategy implementation.
- Provide technical assistance to the Judiciary as needed.
- Support the institutionalisation and sustainability of Judiciary training programmes and various capacity-building initiatives.
- Assist the Judiciary with materials, logistics, and technical support for capacity-strengthening activities.
- Contribute to policy reform and advocacy efforts aimed at strengthening fair trial rights, alternatives to detention, access to justice, and reducing prison congestion.
- Represent IRLI at relevant justice sector coordination meetings, technical working groups, stakeholder forums, and donor engagements, as delegated. Collaborate with the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager to ensure all MEAL requirements for donor reports are met.
- Monitor developments in Malawi's criminal justice, human rights, and judicial reform sectors, offering 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.
- Manage the budget for allocated activities.
- Assist the broader IRLI team in the organisation and implementation of general programme activities as required.
- Engage in fundraising, donor relations, grant/proposal writing, and report writing for IRLI activities.
These responsibilities provide a framework for the role and are not exhaustive.
Qualifications
Essential
- A qualified solicitor, barrister, lawyer, or attorney with a minimum of 2 years of post-qualification experience in criminal law or human rights law, and a strong, demonstrable understanding of justice reform and legal development processes.
- Individuals who are not qualified lawyers but hold a master's degree or higher in law or human rights will be considered eligible if they possess extensive experience in a legal, development, or human rights context.
Desirable
- Experience in programme management and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E).
Person Specification
Essential Requirements
- Excellent diplomacy and negotiation skills.
- Strong ability to motivate others.
- Capacity to adapt quickly to new cultural environments.
- Exceptional time management and problem-solving skills.
- A team-oriented mindset, flexibility, commitment to IRLI’s values and human rights, and initiative and creativity to further develop IRLI’s programmes and activities.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Excellent managerial and organisational capabilities.
- Superior communication skills, both written and oral.
- Fluency in written and spoken English.
- Excellent computer and data analysis skills (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).
- A valid Full Driving Licence.
- Commitment to the programme for a minimum of one year (subject to the probationary period).
Desirable Requirements
- Experience in preparing, working with, and managing budgets.
- Experience in proposal/report writing.
- Experience working in the Global South.
- Fluency in Chichewa.
Terms and Conditions
- Work Hours: Full-time, 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break daily.
- Annual Leave: 25 days per year. Staff may be eligible for 2 Mental Health days annually upon written request to the Country Director. The Malawi office observes one half-day closure per month.
- Company Days: In addition to statutory public holidays in Malawi, IRLI observes 3 company days annually during the Christmas and New Year period.
- Travel Allowance: Non-Malawi national staff are entitled to up to 4 travel days per year for travel to their home country.
- Flight Allowance: One return flight to their home country is provided annually for non-Malawi national staff.
- Medical Insurance: Provided.
- Professional Development: Opportunities include up to 5 days of study leave per annum and an annual contribution of up to €1,700 towards work-related professional development fees, subject to Country Director approval.
- Relocation Support: If international travel to Malawi is required, a contribution will be made towards reasonable pre-departure costs, along with payment for a flight to Malawi to commence work and a flight home upon completion of the role.
- Visa Costs: All necessary visas to work in Malawi will be covered.
- Pension: The stated salary includes mandatory pension contributions for Malawian national staff.
How to Apply
The application deadline is Friday, 12 June 2026, by 17:00 GMT.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Friday, 19 June 2026, by 17:00 GMT to arrange an interview time.
Interviews are scheduled for Wednesday, 8 July. Second interviews, if required, will take place during the week commencing 13 July, between 09:00 and 17:00 GMT (either in person or online, depending on the candidate's location).
Please Submit
- Curriculum Vitae (CV):
- Maximum three pages.
- Font size no smaller than 11pt.
- Include the names and contact details of two referees (who will not be contacted without prior permission).
- Cover Letter:
- Maximum two pages.
- Font size no smaller than 11pt.
- Clearly articulate your interest in the position, summarise your relevant experience, and explain your suitability for the role.
Failure to adhere to the specified length and font size requirements may result in disqualification.
- Only applications received via careers@irishruleoflaw.ie will be considered.
- All applications must include the email subject line: “IRLI Programme Lawyer (Judiciary), Malawi”.
- Applications that do not meet the stipulated requirements will not be processed.