Summary
Overview
Education
Work History
Skills
Languages
Certification
Accomplishments
Timeline
PROJECTS
REFERENCES
Skills
PROJECTS
REFERENCES
Generic

JEFFREY ADERA ONYANGO

Summary

Human rights professional with 5+ years' experience in legal research, digital rights advocacy and data protection. Proven expertise in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, and program coordination. Passionate about advancing constitutional freedoms and social justice through data-driven research and inclusive approaches. Skilled in managing multi-stakeholder collaborations and producing high-quality reports for diverse audiences.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
3
3

Certificates

Education

Diploma in Law -

Kenya School of Law
Nairobi
11-2019

Bachelor of Laws -

Moi University
Eldoret
12-2017

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -

Maranda High School
11-2012

Work History

Programme Officer, Global Initiatives

Thomson Reuters
11.2023 - Current

Roles: Research and report writing, donor reporting, data protection, stakeholder engagements, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation.

Accomplishments:

  • Delivered capacity building workshops on digital rights, AI and data governance to CSOs, independent journalists and media outlets in partnerships with legal firms.
  • Devised strategic research strategies to gain actionable insights into area of interest.
  • Participated in evidence-based research projects to identify legal service delivery gaps within the pro bono ecosystem.
  • Developed tools to monitor global pro bono trends, helping firms track the latest legal sector developments and focus efforts on areas such as human rights, and climate change.
  • Led the design, implementation and data analysis for the Index of Pro Bono-producing actionable research outputs and advocacy tools.
  • Strengthened stakeholder engagement through collaboration with nonprofits and legal networks to support policy advocacy and fundraising.

Legal Associate

Onsongo & Company Advocates
05.2023 - 10.2023

Roles: Legal research, corporate management and drafting of court documents

Achievements:

  • Conducted legal research and case analysis to support rights-based litigation strategies and legal compliance.
  • Prepared and compiled briefs and reports for corporate governance and regulatory meetings with key stakeholders.
  • Advised clients on constitutional and legal remedies, aligning with human rights protection framework.

Program Assistant

Refugee Consortium of Kenya
02.2022 - 04.2023

Roles: Compliance management, legal advisory, procurement management, case assessment, legal representation, preparation of legal briefs and opinions, data protection, capacity building, donor reporting, grant fund and budget management, proposal writing, stakeholder engagements and administrative management.

Accomplishments:

  • Supported program coordination and operational logistics to enable smooth implementation of legal aid and human rights programs in refugee settings.
  • Facilitated effective donor fund management and compliance tracking through coordination with finance teams and partner institutions.
  • Organized multi-stakeholder dialogue forums and legal clinics focused on asylum seeker rights, ,legal representation and protection needs.
  • Maintained accurate case records and assisted with M&E documentation for donor and internal reporting.

Legal Researcher

International Commission of Jurists
09.2021 - 01.2022

Roles: Legal Support, Legal Research, Case Assessment, Social Support, Database Management, Reporting, Administrative Support, Community Engagement, and Capacity Building.

Achievements:

  • Led legal research on institutional accountability, using digital tools like SurveyGizmo to assess policy implementation gaps.
  • Conducted rights-holder interviews and stakeholder dialogues to support the development of evidence-based advocacy reports.
  • Analyzed judicial trends and human rights jurisprudence to inform strategic litigation and policy reform recommendations.

Legal Assistant

Owiti, Otieno & Ragot Advocates
01.2021 - 08.2021

Roles: Research, drafting pleadings; Filing cases: Case monitoring; and Client interviews

Achievements:

  • Compiled statutes, precedence, legal articles, law codes and documents to prepare legal team for trial.
  • Completed case research via KenyaLaw, LexisNexis and Westlaw databases.

Legal Consultant

Kenya Ethical Legal Issues Network
05.2020 - 12.2020

Roles: Legal Advisory, Donor Reporting, Budget Management, Project Management, Proposal Writing, Stakeholder engagement, Administrative Management and capacity building

Achievements:

  • Drafted and disseminated human rights monitoring reports to partners and donor agencies.
  • Documented project progress through preparation of legal briefs, stakeholder communiques and advocacy outputs.
  • Supported proposal writing and donor reporting on projects focused on access to justice and legal empowerment.

Legal Consultant

Transparency International
01.2020 - 04.2020

Roles: Legal support, Case Management, Administrative support, Community Engagements, Stakeholder engagement and project Management.

Achievements:

  • Supported anti-corruption legal campaigns by conducting interviews and compiling data on rights violations and discriminatory cases.
  • Researched legal precedents to assist in strategic litigation and advocacy casework.
  • Documented human right abuse patters for use in institutional advocacy reports.

Legal Intern

Kisumu Law Courts
01.2016 - 04.2016

Roles: Legal Research, Drafting Pleadings, Court Organization and Case Management

Achievements:

  • Reviewed statutes and regulations finding precedents for cases for judges and magistrates to review.
  • Reviewed case files and case progression, keeping proceedings compliant with legislation.

Skills

  • Effective decision-making in challenging environments
  • Unfailing flexibility and adaptability to constantly changing circumstances
  • Team-oriented with respect for diverse contributions
  • Excellent attention to policies and practical details

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Swahili
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Elementary (A2)

Certification

  • Project Management- SkillUp
  • Digital Marketing- Google
  • Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Cybersecurity -OPSWAT Academy

Accomplishments

  • The legal team and other internal and external stakeholders' efficiency was increased by 85% through the use of software and technology such as pneumatic workflow tool.
  • Successfully ensured the data security of refugees and asylum seekers and also informed them on data subject rights including data privacy rights.
  • Streamlined workflow by combining time-consuming procedures and unnecessary paperwork, which led to quicker project completion and a 70% increase in efficiency.

Timeline

Programme Officer, Global Initiatives

Thomson Reuters
11.2023 - Current

Legal Associate

Onsongo & Company Advocates
05.2023 - 10.2023

Program Assistant

Refugee Consortium of Kenya
02.2022 - 04.2023

Legal Researcher

International Commission of Jurists
09.2021 - 01.2022

Legal Assistant

Owiti, Otieno & Ragot Advocates
01.2021 - 08.2021

Legal Consultant

Kenya Ethical Legal Issues Network
05.2020 - 12.2020

Legal Consultant

Transparency International
01.2020 - 04.2020

Legal Intern

Kisumu Law Courts
01.2016 - 04.2016

Diploma in Law -

Kenya School of Law

Bachelor of Laws -

Moi University

Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -

Maranda High School

PROJECTS

  • Developed and launched a comprehensive 2024 Index of Pro Bono report, highlighting trends and best practices in the pro bono sector.
  • Reviewing the legal and policy frameworks on the right to health in Kenya.
  • Reviewing the invisible reality of women sentenced to death and in contact with the law [Efficacy of the death penalty in Kenya] in partneship with UN Women.
  • Call for the protection of vulnerable children who are in conflict and in contact with the law.
  • Re-examining gender identity and inclusion in Kenya in partnership with Equality Now.

REFERENCES

  • Mrs. Agnes Wairegi Regeru- Senior Researcher- Africa Research Center at Havard Business School-+254722602529- buiwairegi@gmail.com
  • Mr. Mutasa Ronald- Global Legal Manger- Thomson Reuters- +263713653983 -Ronald.Mutasa@thomsonreuters.com
  • Ms. Miriam K. Onsongo -Partner- Onsongo & Company Advocates -+2547409811- onsomiriam@gmail.com

Skills

  • Human Rights Research & Advocacy.
  • Legal Writing & Policy Analysis.
  • Data Protection & Digital Rights
  • Project Management & Donor Reporting.
  • Program coordination
  • Capacity Building & Training
  • Stakeholder Engagement.

PROJECTS

  • Developed and launched a comprehensive 2024 Index of Pro Bono report, highlighting trends and best practices in the pro bono sector.
  • Reviewing the legal and policy frameworks on the right to health in Kenya.
  • Reviewing the invisible reality of women sentenced to death and in contact with the law [Efficacy of the death penalty in Kenya] in partnership with UN Women.
  • Call for the protection of vulnerable children who are in conflict and in contact with the law.
  • Re-examining gender identity and inclusion in Kenya in partnership with Equality Now.

REFERENCES

  • Mrs. Agnes Wairegi Regeru- Senior Researcher- Africa Research Center at Havard Business School-+254722602529- buiwairegi@gmail.com
  • Mr. Mutasa Ronald- Global Legal Manger- Thomson Reuters- +263713653983 -Ronald.Mutasa@thomsonreuters.com
  • Ms. Miriam K. Onsongo -Partner- Onsongo & Company Advocates -+2547409811- onsomiriam@gmail.com
JEFFREY ADERA ONYANGO