Law Teacher -University of London (UOL) LLB Programme

Vacancy Name:  Law Teacher - University of London (UOL) LLB Programme

Region: Kenya (Kamiti Maximum & Langata Women Prisons)

Department: Legal Education

Work Location: Remote (with several onsite visits to Kenya, where applicable)

Reports to: Legal Education Lead, 

Key working relationships:  UOL LLB Students, Teaching Assistants & Key Stakeholders

Engagement Duration: 1 Year Volunteership  (Renewable upon review of performance & availability)

Hours: 12-15 hours over a 12-week semester per module, for two modules (typically to take place between 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM UK Time – to be agreed upon at the time of enlistment).

Mode of Delivery: Virtual classes (either via Zoom/Teams or pre-recorded sessions), with potential flexibility to conduct physical classes in prisons in Kenya, where agreed with Justice Defenders

Advert Opened on: 18th September 2025 (Midday), EAT

Application Deadline: 30th September 2025 (Midnight), EAT

ABOUT JUSTICE DEFENDERS

Picture this: an overcrowded and under-resourced prison full of men, women, or even children who have not been found guilty. This is the case for three million people around the world currently affected by the excessive use of pre-trial detention. In many countries, suspects are detained in prison almost automatically once they are arrested. Whatever the offence. Some, yes, are guilty. Many are poor and unjustly targeted. At Justice Defenders, we want to see justice served; it’s vital for all of us. What we don’t want to see is people filling our prisons simply because there was no one to equip them to fight for justice.

Justice Defenders is a registered UK charity and US nonprofit. Founded in 2007, we work across Africa, training incarcerated people and prison officers to become paralegals. Our prison-based legal offices in Uganda and Kenya are run by more than 280+ paralegals. By equipping justice defenders to facilitate a just legal process, we help ensure a fair hearing at the point of greatest need. Everyone deserves the right to tell their story.

Our partnership with prestigious universities, such as the University of London, enables us to provide support for legal education delivered primarily through online learning but, because of the challenges students face studying in prison, supplemented by our programme of learning and teaching support our classrooms are found in men's and women's prisons in Africa, where students are taught by qualified law teachers, visiting academics, and professionals.

Here are key achievements so far by our students studying the University of London (UOL) undergraduate law degree:

• 67 law graduates(including formerly and currently incarcerated individuals, and prison officers)


• 2 High Court Advocates who started as prisoners and now serve as pro bono advocates


• 280 paralegals who have helped 30,000+ clients, with half of the clients regaining freedom


• 14 years of transforming lives through legal education, training, and practice.

We believe we do not just teach law; we cultivate advocates who can transform justice systems from within.

JOB CONTEXT

Justice Defenders is seeking experienced Law Teachers to join our Legal Education programme Teaching Team and support the teaching of University of London LLB students at Kamiti Maximum Prison and Langata Women's Prison in Kenya, and facilitate the capacity development of formerly incarcerated Law Teaching Assistants who have since graduated with the UOL Law Degree. This is an unusual model in that not all of the teaching activities for the respective modules will necessarily be undertaken by the Law Teacher, but by the Teaching Assistant.

This is a voluntary position for one (1) academic year in the first instance, with the possibility to extend the Volunteership period subject to programme continuity and Law Teachers' commitments.

The four subject modules (teaching areas)we will be supporting in the coming academic year are: 

• Criminal Law,


• Contract Law,


• Legal Methods and Systems, and


• Public Law for first-year students. Law Teachers may offer one or more of these modules.

Law Teachers with a speciality in other UK Law LLB modules may also notify us of their interest, but we will not be able to consider these appointments until later in the year. 

Why Teach with Us?

You will be joining a community of unlikely allies that have the capacity to shape the future of delivering justice where it is often most needed. You will not receive monetary payment, but you will have the satisfaction of participating in a pioneering programme of legal education that, together with the Justice Defenders' paralegal programme, is already making a significant impact not only on the lives of prisoners but on the justice system itself.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Law Teacher will provide expert advice and leadership on the respective programme of study, using the University of London syllabus and the University's Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).


• The Law Teacher will be the overall structural advisor of the respective module(with a focus on particular aspects of the learning and teaching activities for that module); by regularly liaising with the law Teaching Assistant assigned to each module; producing the learning and teaching timetable for the module; and developing the formative assessment programme and instruments for the module and marking guidelines.


• Provide a schedule of the activities at the beginning of the study semester, clearly outlining the topics that will be supported and handled by the Law Teacher, who will focus their in-person (or virtual) teaching on: the Introduction of four modules, challenging topics (as identified by the Law Teacher), formative mid-term and pre-exam assessments, and the development of marking schemes.


• The Law Teacher will be expected to supplement the University of London distance learning materials where appropriate and support the capacity development of our Teaching Assistants.


• The Law Teacher will lead the setting/identifying of formative assessment and mock examination questions and their marking schemes. The exams will be administered and marked by the Teaching Assistants with guidance and oversight from the Law Teachers.


• The Law Teacher will also be expected to review and sign off on the lesson plans developed by Teaching Assistants to ensure alignment with the overall module study plan. This shall extend to identifying what learning and teaching activities are to be undertaken by the Teaching Assistants.

Typically, the online lectures will take place between 7:00 am and 12:00 pm UK Time, any day between Monday and Thursday, every week. The programme is designed flexibly to allow for a mix of 50% in-person and 50% virtual classes, taught by both Law Teachers and Teaching Assistants.

YOUR PROFILE

Qualifications, Experience

• A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) degree are highly preferred


• A Doctorate/ Professional Certification is a plus to succeed in the role.


• 5+ years of teaching experience in any Commonwealth Countries (University of London preferred)


• Academic and Research Skills: You'll need strong research skills and the ability to publish or contribute to legal scholarship.


• Teaching skills (Andragogy); you'll need the ability to conduct legal training effectively at a practical level


• Legal Practice experience; practical experience as a legal practitioner will be an added advantage.

Key Attributes, Competencies & Abilities 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work in difficult environments like prisons and lead a team for a positive learning experience.


• Planning and organising skills; you should have these skills in depth for excellent course & materials organisation.


• Passion for access to justice, education, and community service.
  


• Ability to think critically and creatively when making decisions


• Excellent ICT & Presentation skills; necessary for preparing and delivering concise reports and teaching materials.


• Cultural awareness and ability to adapt easily, with a willingness to teach virtually (and occasionally in-person) in prison settings.


• Commitment to Justice Defenders' mission and values.

Remuneration:

This is NOT a salaried position with Justice Defenders, and the engagement will be governed by our volunteer engagement policy detailing agreed responsibilities, time commitments, and academic expectations.

Safeguarding Commitment:

Justice Defenders is committed to the highest standards of safeguarding and professional conduct. Selected candidates will be required to undergo appropriate background checks and safeguarding training before beginning their engagement, and participate in a teaching staff Induction programme. All tutors are expected to maintain confidentiality and adhere to institutional and prison protocols at all times.

Essential reading before you apply to join Justice Defenders:

We are an unlikely community, doing things others would not think possible. For you – and us – to succeed together, we are looking for someone who can read this list of character traits and answer that is ready to join us.

How to Apply:

All interested and qualified teachers should apply by clicking the " Apply for this Job'' and upon completing the application form, submit the application. We will review your application and keep you posted accordingly.

We especially encourage applications from individuals who have experienced incarceration, received free school meals, or are the first in their family to attend university, as well as those from minority groups.