ICLA Officer - Legal Assistance (National Position), Dohuk - Iraq

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:

ICLA officer Legal Assistance is responsible for day to day implementation of the ICLA programme and also to promote and share ideas for technical improvement, the officer will primarily be ensuring adherence to NRC policies, handbook, guidelines. The officer will be responsible to ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need, and explore and assess new and better ways to assist

ICLA officer will report to the project coordinator and will be responsible to Implement delegated ICLA program activities according to plan of action.

The position will be based in Dohuk Area office with frequent visits to camp and urban locations where beneficiaries reside daily.

Ideal Candidate Profile:

A university graduate in Law and a license to practice law with experience from working as a Project Officer in humanitarian and recover/context. The candidate ideally should have previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts. The candidate should have the ability to prioritise responsibilities, carry out multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines. Fluency in spoken written English, Arabic, and Kurdish. Knowledge of humanitarian principles and code of conduct.

Key Job Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Provide mobile legal assistance to beneficiaries who are unable to claim or realize their Registration and Civil Documentation (RCD) or Housing, land and property (HLP) rights on their own (i.e. irregular cases or those with particular vulnerabilities).
• Assess the need for provision of financial assistance to vulnerable IDPs to cover administrative or legal fees, or transportation allowance to attend administrative or court proceedings;
• Input and update beneficiary data into ICLA’s case management tools, and periodically disaggregate and analyze data gathered during legal assistance activities in order to identify trends;
• Compile up-to-date information on relevant Registration and Civil Documentation (RCD) & Housing, land, and property (HLP) laws, procedures, and practices
• Advocate for recognition of the Registration and Civil Documentation (RCD) & Housing, Land and property (HLP) rights of displaced persons when engaging with stakeholders, including building owners, local authorities and humanitarian partners
• Undertake regular monitoring & evaluation of ICLA activities, and contribute to monthly progress reports on activities, highlighting any technical or operational successes.

Qualification:

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience with legal representation in civil law matters in Iraqi courts, including familiarity with Registration and Civil Documentation (RCD) &/or Housing, land and property (HLP) laws, procedures and practices operative in Iraq.
• Demonstrable experience in negotiating with government authorities and/or building owners, and in advancing the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries before such stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience in negotiating with government authorities and/or building owners, and in advancing the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries before such stakeholders.
• Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook

The post will be for 3 Months duration with possibility of extension subject to funds

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

Benefits: Health insurance.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Due to the urgency of this position, the shortlisting may be done on a rolling basis. 

Duty Station: Dohuk Area Office with frequent visits to camp and urban locations where beneficiaries reside daily.

For more information, please find attached the job description