Witness Liaison Officer

Job Description

The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is an autonomous body established by the NPA Act No. 34 of 2010. Its mission is to “provide prosecution services to contribute to a crime free Zambia’. In its quest to improve service delivery, the Authority is hereby inviting applications from suitable candidates to fill the following position:
1. Witness Liaison Officer Permanent and Pensionable
Salary Scale: NPA/05
Number of Positions: One (1)
Reports to: State Advocate
Duty Station: Mansa

Job Purpose:
To ensure that all witnesses attending court hearings have a clear understanding of court processes and procedures and are provided sufficient support both beforehand and on the day of a hearing to enable them to present their evidence clearly and understandably.

Specific Duties and Requirements
• Interviews victims/witnesses and other persons or groups closely associated with victims/witnesses;
• Provides a single point of contact for witness information and organize/support pre-hearing visits for witnesses, including vulnerable and reluctant witnesses, where necessary;
• Provides crisis counselling and direct advocacy services to victims/witnesses by advocating for their rights and expressing their feelings and needs to judges, prosecutors and probation officers;
• Acts as a liaison between victims/witnesses and prosecutor, law enforcement, corrections, medical, social work and court personnel, to convey information and assist in resolving problems related to hostile/unwilling witnesses, specific treatment plans for offenders, violations of no-contact orders and court security;
• Educates victims/witnesses and their families about the Victim Rights Act and other aspects of the judicial system pertaining to their situation;

• Refers victims/witnesses and their families to respective community resources by assessing the needs, locating appropriate options and proposing available choices to the victims/witnesses to minimize the effects of victimization;
• Monitors the progress of each assigned case by attending hearings, trials and consulting with prosecutors; and
• Arranges for safe, private courthouse waiting areas, transportation and lodging of victims/witnesses as needed.

Qualifications and Work Experience

• Grade 12 School Certificate or equivalent;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or the behavioral sciences;
• Foreign qualifications should be interpreted/graded by Zambia Qualifications Authority;
• 2 years of experience in a counseling or advocacy capacity; and
• Excellent oral and written skills for purposes of advocacy and preparation of legal documents.

Skills and Other Attributes
• Experience working with witnesses or members of the public in a regulatory body or a similar organisation;
• Demonstrate excellent customer service delivery which can be adapted to sensitive and challenging situations;
• Excellent oral and written skills; and
• Highly organised, proactive individual who enjoys working in a complex, fast- paced environment.

METHOD OF APPLICATION
Application letters accompanied by certified copies of Academic Certificates, Curriculum Vitae, and the National Registration Card (NRC) should be addressed to the Acting Chief Administrator electronically ONLY to jobs@npa.gov.zm by close of business on 29th November, 2024 and should indicate which position is being sought or applied for and Province. You can also visit our website at www.npa.gov.zm.
NB: Please note that only Short-listed candidates shall be contacted. Indicate the position applied for in the subject line of the email, scan and send a handwritten application letter. Applications that do not have a handwritten letter and position indicated shall not be considered. Foreign qualifications should be interpreted/graded by Zambia Qualifications Authority.