ICLA Protection Focal Point Officer (National Position), Kirkuk Office

Rights Respected, People Protected

Background:

NRC is operating in Iraq since 2010 to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable people affected by on-going conflict in the region. It has its country office in Erbil, KR-I and has area offices in Baghdad, Dohuk, Erbil, Kirkuk and Hamam Al-Alil.  

NRC national program strategy for 2016 takes a whole of Iraq approach focusing on CCCM, WASH, Shelter, Education, Emergency Cash modalities, housing and land property (HLP) and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). In 2016, NRC will continue to consolidate operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I) by providing care and maintenance facilities in IDPs camps, strengthening the relevant government authorities and building systems more at community levels as opposed to household level for successful exit, while also considerably scaling up operations in the South-Central regions of Iraq (with focus on the Anbar and Baghdad Governorates). A further priority will be to reach populations in harder to access areas through working with implementing national partners, established community network contacts and UN-led Rapid Response Mechanisms (RRM). Target caseload will be people affected by displacement including IDPs in camps, IDPs outside of camps, host communities, returnees and refugees.

Overview:

The role of the Protection Focal Point Officer includes supporting ICLA teams to mainstream protection (integrating protection principles and Do No Harm into ICLA programming and promoting meaningful access, safety and dignity in the delivery of ICLA services). With the support of NRC’s Protection Advisor, the Protection Focal Point will support ICLA teams to develop referral pathways, to identify and refer protection cases and ensure that gender, age and diversity are mainstreamed throughout all programming. The Protection Focal Point will also work with the NRC Protection Advisor to build the capacity of ICLA staff to deliver programming in accordance with protection principles.

The position will be reporting to ICLA Coordinator

This position will be based in Kirkuk with some visits to NRC site operations.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

A University degree in law, and a license to practice law in Iraq.Minimum of 2 years’ experience with legal representation in civil law matters in Iraqi courts, including familiarity with RCD and/or HLP laws, procedures and practices operative in Iraq. Fluency in spoken & written English, Arabic and Kurdish Language. Knowledge of humanitarian principles and code of conduct.

Key Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need, and explore and asses new and better ways to assist
• Promote and share ideas for technical protection improvement
• Through group-based mobile information sessions and radio shows, raise awareness about registration/civil documentation (RCD) and housing, land and property rights (HLP) and procedures
• Support ICLA teams to Identify and refer protection cases (including child protection and GBV cases) safely to appropriate service providers
• Assist and lead, where appropriate, protection trainings for service providers, community members, and other relevant actors
• Assist the Protection Advisor, ICLA Specialist and ICLA Project Manager with the development of protection information dissemination, referral and training tools
• Ensure project activities are running according to donor requirements and meet project indicators
• Ensure case management information is up to date and assist with reporting, monitoring and evaluation activities
• Advocate for recognition of the Protection, including RCD & HLP rights, of IDPs and returnees when engaging with stakeholders, including building owners, local authorities and humanitarian partners
• Provide mobile legal assistance to beneficiaries to realize their RCD and HLP rights on their own, through legal representation in court, representation in administrative proceedings, or through Collaborative Dispute Resolution (CDR) methods e.g. negotiation on behalf of beneficiaries.

Qualifications:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical and negotiation skills
• Proven skills and experience in report writing, and representing an organization in public forums
• Ability to prioritise responsibilities, carry out multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines
• Demonstrable experience in negotiating with government authorities and/or building owners, and in advancing the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries before such stakeholders
• Proven skills and experience in case management and conflict resolution
• Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook
• Diplomatic
• Ability to work under pressure and with limited supervision in a challenging environment
• Pro-active, goal-oriented and results driven
• Flexible and creative

The post will be for one (1) year contract duration with possibility of extension- subject to funds.

Salary: 5/1 according to NRC-Iraq's salary scale

Benefits: Health insurance.

Duty Station: Kirkuk office with some visits to NRC field offices.

For more information, please find attached the job description.