District Project Officer-DPO (FREED project)

Job Description

Title: District Project Officer-DPO (FREED project)

Company Name: Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST)

Vacancy: 1

Age: At most 45 years

Job Location: Dhaka

Salary: Negotiable

Experience:

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Bachelor of Law (LLB)
• Master of Law (LLM)

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Age At most 45 years

• Must have at least 5 years of professional/practical work experience as a Dhaka District Bar Association member.

• Enrolled with the Bangladesh Bar Council as an Advocate with at least 5 years’ experience for male candidates and 3 years’ experience for female candidates, including legal profession in Dhaka District and the Sessions Judge Court.

• Preference will be given to permanent residents of the Dhaka District.      

• Minimum 3 years of work experience in project management, human rights, good governance, or media-related work.      

• Experience working with government officials, CSOs, HRD, journalists, and marginalized communities.      

• Strong knowledge and experience in civil, criminal, and family laws.      

• Preference will be given to candidates with experience in legal aid services.      

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse colleagues.      

• Proficient in communication skills, with drafting and report writing capabilities in Bangla and English.

• Knowledgeable in computer operations, particularly in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, as well as email communication.

• Women are encouraged to apply.

Job Context: BLAST is one of the leading legal services organizations in Bangladesh and the only one that provides access to legal aid across the spectrum, from the frontlines of the formal justice system to the apex court. It prioritizes support to women, men, and children living in poverty or facing disadvantage or discrimination. It also provides legal aid, advice, and representation across a range of areas, including civil, criminal, family, labor, and land law, as well as on constitutional rights and remedies, providing access to judicial remedies alongside alternative dispute resolution wherever appropriate. Alongside individual legal aid, BLAST undertakes strategic litigation, or public interest litigation, as a key part of its advocacy for law and policy reforms to ensure effective legal protection of rights. Currently operating in 23 districts across the country, BLAST works through its staff lawyers (and paralegals) at headquarters and in each district office/unit office, in collaboration with its enlisted panel of about 2600 lawyers across the country who provide legal redress to clients on a pro bono basis, with a nominal honorarium.

Position Description: It is a mid-level position based at the Dhaka Unit Office. Under the supervision and instructions of the BLAST Dhaka Unit Coordinator. The District Project Officer will lead the implementation of the FREED project in Dhaka by acting as the primary focal point for BLAST in the district, coordinating with government institutions, Civil Society Organization-CSOs, Human Rights Defenders-HRDs, independent media practitioners, and community groups, ensuring meaningful engagement of stakeholders in project activities, supporting capacity-building, awareness-raising, and policy dialogue initiatives at the local level, monitoring and reporting on project implementation in line with project requirements.

Job Responsibilities:

A. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Maintain regular communication with key district-level stakeholders, including the Deputy Commissioner, Regional Councillor, Information Officer, local government offices, CSOs, HRDs, lawyers, media practitioners, and community leaders.

• Facilitate the participation of youth, minorities, and marginalized groups in project activities.

• Represent BLAST at district-level forums, consultations, and policy dialogues relevant to the project.

B. Project Implementation:

• Lead and coordinate all project activities in Dhaka, including trainings, workshops, orientation sessions, community outreach, and awareness campaigns.

• Provide logistical and technical support to local CSO partners in conducting capacity-building activities.

• Support the establishment and functioning of Civic Voice and Rights Protection Networks in Dhaka.

• Coordinate with BLAST Head Office and the Broadcast Journalism Centre (BJC) on policy dialogue and advocacy activities.

C. Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning:

• Maintain up-to-date records of all project activities, participants, and outcomes in Dhaka.

• Prepare and submit periodic activity and progress reports to the Project Coordinator (BLAST Head Office) through the BLAST Dhaka Unit Coordinator.

• Support research, monitoring, and evaluation activities, including data collection, stakeholder feedback, and documentation of good practices and lessons learned.

D. Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Provide on-site mentoring and support to CSOs, HRDs, and media practitioners to improve digital and media literacy (DML), safe communication, and effective use of digital platforms.

• Assist in organizing fellowships, training workshops, and legal support services for targeted groups.

• Ensure that project interventions address the needs of youth, minorities, and marginalized communities in Dhaka.

E. Advocacy and Policy Engagement:

• Facilitate stakeholder participation in district-level consultations and ensure linkages with national-level policy dialogues.

• Support the dissemination of project outputs (e.g., policy briefs, handbooks, and media guidelines) among local stakeholders.

• Promote and advocate for freedom of expression, access to quality information, and inclusive media practices in the district.

F. Legal Aid Activities:

• Provide legal aid services, including client interviews, mediation, litigation support, and case management.

• Scrutinize cases as per BLAST’s Litigation Policy and conduct mediation according to BLAST’s Mediation Guidelines.

• Represent BLAST in court proceedings and coordinate with Panel Lawyers.

• Maintain and update case records and the Case Management System (CMS) regularly.

• Perform all other duties as and when required by the authority.

• Mobile bill,Weekly 2 holidays,Tour allowance,T/A
• Salary Review: Yearly
• Festival Bonus: 2