Centre for Justice (CJ) is one of Ethiopia’s main independent civil society organizations working for systemic and service changes of the Ethiopian Criminal Justice System. Its establishment was spearheaded by individuals who sought to improve things they came across during their incarceration.

CJ blends practical interventions and advocacy campaigns to improve the criminal justice system in general and the condition of inmates in Ethiopia in particular. It stands for human rights and works for their protection and realization through a mix of practical interventions and advocacy works that improve conditions for inmates both at the systemic and service levels at the national and prison levels. Our fundamental task as an organization is to effect progressive change in the Ethiopian Criminal Justice System. We work for people who are serving prison terms in the Ethiopian prisons and people who go through the Ethiopian Criminal Justice System. We give a special attention for the most vulnerable people like women prisoners, children living with their incarcerated parents or primary care givers, persons with disabilities and juveniles. We are campaigners, change makers and practitioners. We are experts who influence policy and practice around the Ethiopian Criminal Justice System and implementers of interventions that improve conditions for inmates and people who go through the criminal justice system. We promote, publicize, and implement international human rights standards and rules that protect the rights of people who go through the Ethiopian Criminal Justice System.

THE VISION, MISSION& PROGRAMS  

Vision   

 To see safe society where criminal justice system upholds human rights for all and prison is used as a   last resort 

Mission:

To promote a progressive criminal justice system that upholds rule of law, human rights, gender equality, prioritizes alternatives to prison, champions’ crime prevention and prisoner rehabilitation and reintegration through research, service provision, community engagement, collaboration and innovation, capacity development and policy advocacy

Programs

CJ works under the following pillars of the Strategic Framework 2025-2029:

• Human Rights in Practice.
• Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Empowerment of Inmates.
• Non-custodial alternatives to imprisonment
• Capacity building for better management of prisons
• Gender equality in criminal justice institutions
• Networking, collaboration and partnership with a diverse range of stakeholders working in Criminal Justice System

Key Responsibilities include

• Leading the overall programme works of CJ
• Building and maintain relationships with program participants.
• Developing and manage peer convening to strengthen relationships, share insights, and explore strategic/generative topics;
• Providing additional opportunities for learning, network-building, and collaboration.
• Managing and responding to requests for technical assistance, resources, connections, and guidance.
• Engaging outside partners to assist in documenting and sharing learning from CJ initiatives; provide periodic updates to the funders.
• Participating in planning and budgeting process
• Providing additional training, program management, and support to CJ’s initiatives.
• Formulating, organizing and monitoring inter-connected projects
• Leading and evaluating project managers and other staffs
• Developing and controlling deadlines, and activities
• Provide close and appropriate technical and managerial support for Senior project officers and other programme team
• Responsible for providing strategic and technical guidance, providing guidance on program planning and implementation, ensuring effective implementation of all activities and being proactive to address challenges, monitor and analyse the program environment and progress, using applicable monitoring and evaluation and risk management tools and advise on timely adjustments and corrective measures as necessary
• Responsible for the strategic planning and overall management of the program and reports to the Executive Director
• Ensure monitoring systems are in place and that project progress reviews are carried out regularly.
• Facilitate regular consultation with the project staffs, partners, community and government with aim of developing strategic and immediate responses to issues that may affect the smooth and speedy delivery of the project.
• Organize conference, workshops, panel discussion, training and experience sharing visits inter and intra regions for staffs and network member associations directly involved in the implementation of the project; identify possible bottlenecks or shortcomings in the implementation of the project and propose remedies to overcome the problems.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of CJ’s program/project implementing, with regular field and desk monitoring of the program activities
• Produce and share a monthly, quarterly report, plus an annual report for Center for Justice, government and Donor of the program/project which highlighting key progress, achievements and challenges.
• Promote meaningful stakeholders participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, Monitoring and evaluation)
• Develop concept notes and proposals
• Provide direction and guidance to the program team(s)/responsible parties.
  Advise Executive Director on new proposal development
• Enhance and maintain donor relationship and ensure timely reporting on the agreed deliverables
• Engage in assessments, strategic plan and research activities.
• Perform any other task as assigned by the Executive Director

Salary:  Negotiable

About You

Education:  LLB/LLM in Law or other related Social Science fields with at least 6 years of experience in project management for NGOs.

Job Requirements

• Proficiency in written and spoken English required. Proficiency in other local languages is preferred.
• Willingness and ability to travel in Ethiopia.
• Ability to work under pressure and effectively manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Exhibits strong organizational skills.
• Communicates clearly, politely, and effectively
• Demonstrates excellent time-management skills