Board Advisor, Legal
Evelyn Echodu
Professional Profile
Evelyn Echodu is a legal professional, human rights advocate, social services practitioner and project management professional with experience in law, refugee protection, human rights, social justice, community development and client-centred services. She is an Advocate of the High Courts of Uganda and Kenya, holding an LLB from Uganda Christian University, Diplomas in Legal Practice from the Kenya School of Law and Law Development Centre, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Planning and Management from Uganda Management Institute.
Evelyn’s work focuses on advocacy, access to justice and the protection of vulnerable populations, including refugees, asylum seekers, women, children, survivors of gender-based violence and persons affected by social and structural vulnerabilities. She has provided legal advice, counselling, referrals, protection support and legal aid while collaborating with government, international and civil society organizations.
She currently works as a Social Worker with the City of Toronto, supporting individuals and families through assessment, case management, referrals, advocacy and systems navigation. She also serves as a Legal Advisor with Transnova, providing legal guidance and organizational support. Her combined legal and social services experience enables her to approach complex issues from both legal and human-centred perspectives.
Legal, Human Rights and Refugee Protection Experience
Evelyn has extensive experience in refugee law, forced migration, protection, gender-based violence, child protection and access to justice. As a Resettlement Associate with UNHCR, she assessed and processed resettlement cases, prepared submissions, coordinated with stakeholders and maintained case records while applying an Age, Gender and Diversity perspective.
As Project Manager and Consultant with HRAPF, she coordinated projects, managed work plans and budgets, supervised staff, prepared legal opinions and reports, and led advocacy and community initiatives addressing gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and access to justice.
As a Legal Officer with Alight, she supported refugees and asylum seekers through legal counselling, court follow-up, protection interventions, referrals, Best Interest Assessments and training on refugee rights. As an Assistant Legal Officer with the Refugee Law Project, she provided legal advice and representation, conducted legal aid clinics, supported alternative dispute resolution, facilitated community dialogues and trained justice-sector stakeholders.
These roles established her as a practitioner working effectively at the intersection of law, protection, social support and community engagement.
Project Management, Advocacy and Community Engagement
Evelyn has strong skills in project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, research, training and stakeholder coordination. She has developed work plans and budgets, monitored performance, prepared donor reports, conducted needs analyses, coordinated partners and supported funding initiatives.
She has worked with government agencies, UN bodies, civil society organizations, community leaders and justice-sector institutions, delivering training on human rights, refugee rights, gender-based violence, protection and community engagement. Her work translates law and policy into practical interventions that improve access to services, protection and justice.
Research, Writing and Professional Contributions
Evelyn brings strong research, analysis, communication and report-writing skills. Her work includes legal and program research, case analysis, policy documentation and technical and donor reporting.
She has contributed to publications on unsafe abortion, child marriage, gender-based violence, human rights defenders and access to education for persons with disabilities. Her multidisciplinary background allows her to address social issues through legal, human rights, social services, community development and program management perspectives.
Professional Strengths
- Legal research, advice and advocacy
- Human rights and refugee protection
- Social work and client-centred support
- Case management and systems navigation
- Access to justice and legal aid
- Gender-based violence and child protection
- Project planning and management
- Community engagement and stakeholder coordination
- Training and facilitation
- Research, analysis and report writing
- Partnership development and advocacy
Evelyn’s career reflects a commitment to justice, human dignity, social inclusion and the empowerment of vulnerable populations. Her combined legal, human rights, project management and Canadian social services experience positions her to contribute effectively to legal, humanitarian, community and public-sector initiatives.