Legal Officer

General Background and Position Description

USAID Power Distribution Program (PDP) is providing assistance to the government owned Power Distribution Companies of Pakistan (DISCOs), with the aim to curtail losses, enhance revenues and have a well regulated power distribution system in Pakistan.  PDP’s assistance, in its current phase, is geared towards Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) and Peshawar Electric Power Company (PESCO) and will end in Septmber 2015

The Commercial Team of the Power Distribution Programme (PDP) is setting up a Revenue Protection Cell at Peshawar Circle of PESCO. The Revenue Protection Cell is responsible for improving three key work streams i.e. a) Reduction in electricity theft b) Improvement in collection of arrears and c) Load shedding programme monitoring. At the front-end of the Revenue Protection Cell will be field teams that will perform surveys and surveillance activities in the field according to both planned schedules and random spot checks. The field teams at the back-end will be supported by personnel processing documentation to realize and recover revenue and provide legal support for prosecutable evidence where necessary. 

Relevant Experience: 

1. LLB or equivalent law degree;
2. Experience of working with Government Organizations;
3. Knowledge of Electricity Act 1910 and NEPRA rules;
4. Must be proficient is using MS-Excel application;
5. Strong communication and negotiation skills.
6. Candidates from Charsadda/Shabqadar are encouraged to apply.

Job Description:

Legal Officers are responsible for giving appropriate legal coverage to all theft and arrears cases. The will ensure that evidence based prosecutable cases are prepared and contested. Specific assignments of the position will be as under, 

1. Prepare a database of cases being forwarded for legal action;
2. Develop case checklist for field teams to ensure contestable cases are prepared;
3. Provide training to field teams on ‘evidence collection in the field’;
4. Lead field teams in the FIR registration process;
5. Prepare legal counsel for theft cases;
6. Coordinate on cases with Police station and Magistrate office;
7. Develop SOPs for cases with unique issues;
8. Other tasks as may be assigned by the Line Supervisor/Manager;

Note: Project end date is until Sept, 2015