Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Vacancy - Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs

Deputy Director, Community Services

Position Overview

The role involves overseeing the assessment, placement, and supervision of offenders performing community service to ensure lawful and effective execution of court orders. It provides strategic guidance on policy development, research, and program improvement. The position manages national compliance, supports judicial decision-making, and coordinates stakeholder engagement and awareness campaigns. It also ensures accurate data management and capacity-building through training of justice sector personnel.

Responsibilities

Co-ordinate assessment processes to guarantee appropriate placement of offenders into institutions for community service following court sentencing
review assessment reports on the social and economic circumstances of offenders to determine suitability for community service
co-ordinate preparation and approval of documentation required for lawful placement of offenders on community service
integrate institutional work assignments to ensure compliance with community service orders
consolidate reports to courts on the outcomes of placements, ensuring breaches are addressed and directing probationers to appropriate counseling or rehabilitation services
guide research on community service practices to inform policy development and continuous improvement
manage resolution of challenges encountered by supervisors and offenders, providing policy guidance and recommendations to the Director Community Services
monitor field inspections at placement institutions to enforce compliance with community service court orders
co-ordinate public awareness campaigns on community service at district, provincial, and national levels
validate data collection for integration into the Community Service Information Management System
provide strategic direction on the preparation of pre-sentence enquiry reports to support judicial decision-making
supervise national compliance with community service orders, ensuring uniform standards across regions
design training programmes for Magistrates, Prosecutors, Community Service Officers, and Heads of Institutions to strengthen institutional capacity and promote best practice.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Law, Criminology, or related field
a relevant Master’s degree is an added advantage
at least six (6) years of experience in the Officer or equivalent grade in the Public Service
advanced knowledge of criminal justice delivery systems and laws as contained in the Codified Legislation and other offence-creation legislation.

Skills

In-depth understanding, interpretation and application of the Criminal Procedure Laws, Processes and Sentencing Guidelines as contained in the Sentencing Law
ability to conduct legal research through navigating Criminal Justice Case Law for purposes of applying it to community service court order enforcement and non-serious offender rehabilitation
in-depth knowledge of Community Service laws and Guidelines and their application by the lower and higher courts in judicial processes including trials, reviews, scrutiny and appeals
extensive knowledge and application of law reform and strategic program design principles for continuous program growth and development
proficiency in program development, management, evaluation, risk identification and assessment, law reform, legislative drafting, complex data/information management, analytics and application, problem solving, conflict resolution, policy formulation and strategy development and application
negotiation and stakeholder engagement abilities
oral and written communication skills
research skills
public relations skills
ability to handle confidential information
ability to employ ICTs in the management of offenders on community service.

Benefits

Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
Health insurance coverage.
Flexible work hours.
Professional development opportunities.
Fun team outings and events.