Job Context: BLAST is looking for a Paralegal for the Gazipur Project Office. The project aims for paralegals to play a critical role in engaging with SHG members and trade unions, organizing awareness sessions, and facilitating communication with grassroots participants. With the support and guidance of the Senior Outreach Officer/Outreach Officer/Staff Lawyer, paralegals will ensure implementation of planned activities and project visibility in working areas, while connecting workers to legal and other services and providing legal information to ensure access to justice.
Job Responsibilities:
Form community-based self-help groups (SHGs) of garment workers/ leather goods workers in project areas; meet them on a regular basis to lead them towards sustainable informal groups.
Ensure and oversee group meetings of the SHGs. Make them capable of getting legal information using the Sromik Jigyasha app and sharing information among their co-workers.
Conduct awareness sessions among workers involving members of self-help groups.
Handle queries of the workers on workplace and GBV issues, use of the Sromik Jigyasha app, and provide solutions and legal advice to clients, communicating with the respective supervisor/lawyer.
Regular field visits and communication with SHG members, workers, trade union leaders, GO/NGO offices, and relevant stakeholders.
Arrange meetings as required and ensure project visibility in the project area.
Ensure implementation and reporting of project activities and achieve project objectives. Prepare monthly reports, event reports, and other data reports, as required.
Receive complaints and applications from clients in the project area.
Send a monthly progress report and attend NGO coordination meetings at the respective UNO/DC office.
Meet and network with business bodies, local authorities, service providers, and community leaders for wider outreach of the Sromik Jigyasha app and to enhance cross-referrals for comprehensive support to victims.
Make internal referrals to Dhaka Head Office, Legal Cell, for pursuing mediation and litigation in appropriate cases and accompany clients to the Head Office if necessary.
Make necessary referrals to other service-providing organizations for legal aid or other service seekers on workplace, family/land/health matters, or livelihood issues.
Liaise between lawyers and clients, other service providers, and community leaders for victim support and regular follow-up on cases.
Assist in advocacy activities at the local and national level aimed at better protection of workers’ rights.
Maintain and preserve necessary registers and files, including an applications register and a copy of each application form in the respective office.
Update CMS regularly and maintain office discipline.
Promote the Sromik Jigyasha app among workers to increase its use.
Carry out any other activities as and when required.
