Legal Specialist

Job Description

Title: Legal Specialist

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

Vacancy: 1

Age: At least 26 years

Job Location: Dhaka

Salary: Tk. 90000 - 100000 (Monthly)

Experience:

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO, Development Agency

• Master of Law (LLM)

• At least 7 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO, Development Agency

• Age At least 26 years

• Being enrolled as an Advocate with the Bangladesh Bar Council is preferred.
• In-depth understanding of Bangladesh’s legal and regulatory framework governing media, ICT, and human rights.
• Demonstrated experience providing legal aid/advice and managing rights-based helpdesks or legal clinics.
• Strong facilitation, training, and report-writing skills (in English and Bangla).Proven ability to work collaboratively with CSOs, government bodies, and international organisations.

The FREED project, co-implemented by BBC Media Action and BLAST, funded by European Commission, aims to safeguard freedom of expression in Bangladesh by empowering civil society organisations (CSOs), human rights defenders (HRDs), and independent media practitioners to promote and protect this fundamental right. The project addresses barriers to freedom of expression, particularly within the digital space, while fostering inclusive debate and discussion with policymakers on rights-based issues.

BLAST, as co-applicant, takes the lead on legal analysis, rights protection, and policy advocacy components, including the establishment of a Legal Helpdesk, training on laws related to freedom of expression, and engagement with policymakers on legal and regulatory reforms.

2. Purpose of the Position

The Legal Specialist will provide technical expertise on legal and policy issues related to freedom of expression, media freedom, and digital rights. The role includes leading legal research, advising project partners and beneficiaries on relevant laws and rights protection, managing the legal helpdesk, and supporting advocacy and policy engagement activities. The Legal Specialist will also manage and coordinate five networks across five districts, facilitating their active engagement, responsiveness, and timely identification and reporting of emerging issues related to freedom of expression.

Key Responsibilities:

A. Legal Analysis and Research

• Conduct legal and policy analysis on laws, regulations, and judicial practices affecting freedom of expression and media freedom in Bangladesh (e.g., , Draft data Protection Ordinance, 2025, Draft National Media Commission Ordinance, 2025, Draft Journalists Protection Ordinance, 2025, Cyber Protection Act, 2026, Telecommunications Networks and Licensing Policy, 2025   Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, and Right to Information Act, 2009).

• Support the development of a Freedom of Expression Legal Framework Handbook and contribute to policy briefs and research publications.

• Monitor ongoing legal and policy developments relevant to digital rights, freedom of expression, and civic space and proactively initiate and submit recommendations and statements on such developments.

B. Legal Helpdesk Management

• Establish and manage the project’s Legal Helpdesk to provide legal advice, guidance, and referrals to CSOs, HRDs, journalists, and marginalised communities facing restrictions, threats or violations related to expression and information rights.

• Maintain documentation of cases, inquiries, and legal support provided, ensuring confidentiality and ethical compliance.

• Coordinate with BLAST’s existing legal aid services and referral networks for case follow-up.

C. Capacity Strengthening and Mentorship

• Design and deliver training sessions and mentoring for CSOs, HRDs, media practitioners, and youth fellows on:

  • Rights-based approaches to freedom of expression and information;

  • Legal and policy frameworks affecting media and digital rights;

  • Safe and responsible communication in restrictive environments.

• Contribute to training materials and resource development in collaboration with project partners.

D. Policy Engagement and Advocacy Support

• Provide legal expertise to support the establishment of multi-stakeholder policy dialogue groups and Civic Voice and Rights Protection Networks and monitor the networks quarterly meetings’ discussions.

• the activation and sustained engagement of district-level networks by strengthening their knowledge and understanding of freedom of expression (FoE), relevant legal and policy frameworks, and emerging issues, enabling them to effectively respond to and engage in advocacy on FoE-related concerns.

• Support the development of policy recommendations and advocacy briefs for reforms to promote an enabling legal environment for freedom of expression.

• Engage with government and policymaking bodies (e.g., Ministry of Law, National Human Rights Commission, Media Houses,  ICT Division and  Law Commission) to share findings and promote constructive dialogue.

E. Coordination and Reporting

• Coordinate closely with the BLAST project team, BBC Media Action technical specialists, and other consortium partners.

• Contribute to project planning, monitoring, and reporting, ensuring integration of legal perspectives in project activities and outputs.

• Participate in stakeholder consultations, workshops, and evaluation missions.

• Weekly 2 holidays,Mobile bill
• Lunch Facilities: Partially Subsidize
• Festival Bonus: 2