Location: Maharashtra
Apply by: 10 Jul 2023
Aajeevika Bureau
Position: Coordinator (Legal Aid - Urban)
Email for sending applications: jobs@aajeevika.org with a copy to nisarg.joshi@aajeevika.org
Aajeevika Bureau, headquartered in Udaipur, is a non-profit organization with a vision to ensure security and dignity for communities dependent on labour and migration. Aajeevika Bureau runs a network of facilitation centres for workers and offers services and solutions to seasonal migrants and their families. These centres are based at source (in Rajasthan) and in urban destinations (in Gujarat and Maharashtra). Aajeevika has received wide acclaim for its pioneering work in organising migrant workers and creating a strong right based model for workers’ empowerment and access. Please visit www.aajeevika.org for more details.
The Legal Aid, Education and Advocacy (LEAD) Cell is a specialized entity within Aajeevika Bureau that offers legal counseling and support to workers facing disputes in obtaining their rightful wages and compensation in case of workplace accidents and injuries. This is done through mediation and litigation assistance in courts especially where workers are unable to competently represent themselves. The LEAD Cell also undertakes extensive legal literacy to help workers become aware of their rights and entitlements. It is widely known for running the first ever phone-based helpline for workers in distress and it has responded to thousands of cases intervening successfully on behalf of workers.
Aajeevika Bureau is seeking to fill the position of Coordinator (Legal Aid - Urban) for in-depth legal aid and education work with migrant groups in Pune. This full-time position is located in Pune where Aajeevika currently works with migrant workers involved in construction industry, medium & small manufacturing units, and other vulnerable groups, for instance, women workers. We are looking for a young and dynamic lawyer who is able to take the lead in building a legal strategy and undertaking case work to assist workers facing wage disputes or denial of justice in case of serious accidents and injury at work place.
Specifically, the position requires the following:
Undertaking mediation in legal cases at all 3 Pune centres along with issuing legal notices. Rigorous participation in follow-ups and mediation, more particularly during legal days (held one day in a week)
Litigation support for workers, raising disputes and follow-up in labour courts and local government department for labour
Networking with police and state legal aid services, referral and follow-up of cases to police station and concerned authorities
Developing legal strategy for long term improvement of workplace conditions and labour practices in industry and other workplace sites of workers
Designing, implementing and active engagement in disseminating workers’ education modules and programmes to build and strengthen their legal literacy and access. Substantive field work to workers workplace and residential areas for capacity building sessions on legal education
Undertaking partnership with lawyers, lawyer networks, unions, activists and non-profits to expand legal aid and literacy work with migrant workers in Pune
We are looking for a young and dynamic lawyer with experience in undertaking legal aid, public interest litigation and advocacy for social justice. Specialization and experience in labour law and its application would be a strong advantage. Experience of representation in courts in Pune or Mumbai is highly desirable. We are looking for candidates with excellent communication and conceptual skills who will be able to provide strategic guidance to legal aid interventions and have the experience to directly facilitate justice for workers. The position is based in Pune, however the role will occasionally require travel to Aajeevika’s centres in Mumbai as well.
Aajeevika Bureau is a mid-sized, field oriented non-profit organization with reasonably attractive compensation for young professionals. The salary for this position will be based on a combination of criteria including qualification, relevant experience and demonstrated competence.
We encourage interested candidates to apply for the position by July 10th, 2023 to jobs@aajeevika.org with a copy to nisarg.joshi@aajeevika.org by sending us an updated resume.
For any queries, please write to nisarg.joshi@aajeevika.org.