Legal Officer

Legal Officer

 Duty Station [Tikrit Iraq]

Who are we?

Danish Refugee Council is a leading protection agency pursuing our mandate to protect and promote durable solutions to displacement-affected populations on the basis of humanitarian principles and human rights. In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), DRC apply a regional approach with operational presence in Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Iraq.     

Present in Iraq since 2003, DRC is today operational in the Kurdish governorates, in and around Baghdad and in several South-Central governorates. Focused both on the influx of Syrian refugees and the current IDP crisis, DRC is providing assistance in a range of sectors including Camp Coordination and Camp Management, Protection, Livelihoods, Emergency Response (including food security, cash, and NFIs), WASH, Shelter and Mine Action. The Iraq programme presently employs some 450-national staff and 45 international staff, and is growing to meet new, emerging needs associated with ongoing and recent conflict in multiple locations

About the job

The Protection Officer (Legal) is responsible for the provision of legal aid services - including legal information, counselling, assistance, and representation to beneficiaries in the communities where DRC works, in accordance with DRC’s organizational mandate, and priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Disseminate accurate and impartial information to the beneficiaries through individual counselling, collective/group events, advisories, and leaflets
• Undertake individual sessions providing legal information and legal counseling as per the established work plan
• Conduct legal representative services to qualifying individuals, including for civil documentation and housing, land, and property issues. Assess whether selected beneficiaries qualify for financial assistance under the legal aid program fund to cover costs related to resolving legal issues;
• Conduct legal protection discussions with varied target groups – using an age, gender, and diversity perspective;
• Conduct field visits to assess the legal protection needs and concerns of the target population, with attention to people with specific needs;
• Identify and refer Extremely Vulnerable Individuals and People with Specific Protection Needs for assistance according to DRC pre-defined criteria;
• Conduct field visits to identify local NGOs, charity associations, social centers, local institutions providing support to the local population to establish a mapping of existing services;
• Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of a referral pathway for protection and legal assistance, respectful of the confidentiality and consent principle and DRC Standard Operating Procedures;
• Contribute to capacity building of local organizations and community groups on legal matters relevant for beneficiaries;
• Review and update case files on individual developments prepared by legal assistant to ensure quality and accuracy of information, following DRC Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring beneficiary’s data are protected;
• Coordinate and maintain constructive relationships with municipalities, other local government institutions, local NGO partners, other international organizations, in coordination with the other team members;
• Representation of DRC and active participation in the local working groups and any other meetings as requested;
• Remain up-to-date on legal procedure and policy developments, update guideline documents as needed;
• Train and supervise the work of legal assistants, ensuring accuracy, quality, and timeliness;
• Advocate on behalf of clients, make direct interventions with other actors or other organizations, where appropriate;

   

  Grant implementation and reporting

   

• Produce monthly reports and support the Team Leader / Protection Project Manager in submitting internal reports as per schedule
• Bi-weekly monitoring of protection Legal database with adherence to data protection protocols
• Bi-weekly review of open cases using tools and case planning
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans in a timely manner
• Support the data analysis of legal case data in a safe and ethical manner
• Responsible for the creation and updating of monthly procurement plans for legal services, submit to Team Leader and Protection Manager on a monthly basis.

   

  Coordination and representation

   

• Develop and maintain effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including partner agencies, community leaders and service providers
• Advocate for the needs of vulnerable individuals both internally and through coordination mechanisms through evidence-based advocacy
• Maintain an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area

   

  Other

• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Line Manager
• Conduct duties in accordance with DRC Iraq program Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Conduct duties in strict accordance with DRC Code of Conduct and the principle of confidentiality
• Ensure transparency and DRC’s positive regard and reputation with communities
• Be available to travel between base/sub-offices/community centers/mobile centers

• Participate in community outreach

 

 

About you

To be successful in this role you must have:

• University degree in Law
• Report writing skills

• Relevant professional experience of three (3) years in the legal sector
• Prior experience or familiarity with DRC and/or persons of concern (including internally displaced persons, returnees and refugees. Proven leadership skills and experience in creating, establishing and negotiating relationships and building alliances and networks with various stakeholders at community and local and national levels.

Preferred experience:

• Education: Advanced University degree is asset
• Experience in social services or community activism.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and values.
• Understanding of gender, protection and human rights.
• Extensive knowledge of Iraqi displacement.
• Fluency in Arabic is required
• Ability to communicate and write clearly in English

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values. 

Moreover, we also expect the following:

• Excellent interpersonal and team skills.
• Commitment to humanitarian principles and values.
• Commitment to and understanding of DRC’s aims, values and principles

We offer

Contract length: 6 Months

Level: C1

Designation of Duty Station: Tikrit

Start date: 15 July, 2018

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates/ Nationals; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies.

Application process

Interested? Then apply for this position by clicking on the apply button.

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 09 July, 2018 on 16:00 PM

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/jobsupport.

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.

Need further information?

For more details on this position please contact job@drc.dk

Please note that applications sent directly to [job@drc.dk] will not be considered.