Opportunity for Law Graduates:- Associate-Research (Legal Aid) at NLU Delhi Project 39A: Apply by Mar 31

About Project 39A:
Project 39A (hereinafter ‘P39A’) draws inspiration from Article 39-A in the Indian Constitution on
equal justice and signals the broadening of our work on the criminal justice system in India. We
undertake litigation, research and outreach relating to forensics, torture, legal aid, mental health
and criminal justice, and death penalty

About the role:

• Access to effective legal aid is an integral element of securing procedural guarantees for individuals within the criminal justice system and protecting vulnerable communities from the excesses of the system. However, the quality of legal representation and support to persons in custody in the current system of state sponsored legal aid leaves much to be desired.
• The legal aid team at Project 39A seeks to combine in-depth empirical research with on ground interventions to strengthen access to and quality of legal aid as an element of the right to fair trial. Interventions are grounded in rigorous empirical analysis of the functioning of the system, with regular assessment to ensure their continued efficacy.
• The team also engages in training and capacity building of lawyers and para legal volunteers towards securing widespread and effective reform of the system.

Towards this goal the Associate will be expected to undertake the following responsibilities:

1. Contribute to developing and implementing research projects that align with P39A’s
   strategic goals;
2. Undertake fieldwork for the purposes of the project, including interviewing prisoners,
   police personnel and functionaries in various State and District Legal Services Authorities;
3. Collate, analyse and publish findings of the fieldwork and interventions;
4. Contributing to assessments of on ground interventions towards evaluating their efficacy
   and engaging with the quantitative and qualitative data emerging from such interventions;
5. Undertake high quality academic writing on relevant themes;
6. Designing and implementing training curriculum for various stakeholders;
7. Engaging with functionaries of state legal aid institutions on strategic reform efforts;
8. Present the work of P39A at appropriate forums;
9. Participate in and contribute to the overall research efforts at P39A;
10. Undertake administrative or any other work that may be necessary to further the aims of
    P39A.
    Qualifications:
    A. Graduate with an LLB degree.
    B. Candidates with a LL.M and a demonstrable interest in access to justice issues will be
    preferred.
    C. Basic knowledge about the Indian criminal justice system would be desirable.
    D. This is a full-time position based in Delhi.
    Compensation: The compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.
    Application Process: Interested persons may send their resume and a statement of purpose,
    explaining their interest in working on issues of legal aid in the criminal justice system and the
    contribution that they see themselves making through this position. The statement of purpose must
    not exceed 750 words.
    
    Note:
11. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted via email. If you do not hear from us within
    two (2) weeks after the deadline, please assume that your application has not succeeded.
    Unfortunately, we cannot reply to individual queries about the status of applications.
12. National Law University, Delhi is an equal opportunity employer and P39A ensures access
    to legal representation for prisoners regardless of the offence.
13. National Law University, Delhi reserves the right to not fill the position or vary the number
    of positions vacant for this call. Also, we shall be unable to cover the costs of attending
    interviews.
14. National Law University, Delhi reserves the right to conduct additional rounds of
    interviews or written tests.
15. The position shall be paid under the grants received by P39A, National Law University,
    Delhi.

Relevant Link

Official Notification