Team Leader - Protection (Legal)

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.

All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

DRC has been operating in Iraq since 2003 and in Northern Iraq since 2010. It is currently implementing a broad range of activities relevant to conflict affected communities and persons. The activities are categorized in ten sectors: Shelter and Non-food Items, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Livelihoods, Protection, Mine Risk Education, Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM). 

About the job

The Team Leader – Protection (Legal) is responsible for managing the overall work and activities of Legal Officers in their area of operation - including legal information, counselling, assistance, and representation to beneficiaries in the communities where DRC works, in accordance with DRC’s organizational mandate, and priorities.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

       General Management

• Under the supervision of the Team Leader Protection, line manage the Protection Officers delivering Legal services, with overall responsibility for any Legal Assistants and Community Volunteers in area of operation.
• Ensure the quality delivery of legal services and act as team focal-point for legal related services, coordination with legal partners and referrals, and the capacity building activities, including service provider trainings, community groups establishment, etc.
• Ensure high quality activities implementation in accordance with donor and DRC regulations.
• In collaboration with the Team Leader Protection, the Team Leader Legal will support with project planning including work plans, procurement and budget management for the activities under his/her supervisions.
• Maintain oversight of physical DRC Legal spaces.
• Development of weekly and monthly work plans with teams.
• Regular review, oversight, and quality assurance of Legal Officer case plans.
• Responsibility for ensuring high quality and correct data and beneficiary reporting.

• Technical Support: 

• Stay abreast of any and all changes to legislation and administrative processes affected displaced people.
• In collaboration with their supervisor, provide technical support, supervision and guidance to the Legal Officer team, and ensure that staff adhere to best-practices and professional standards and principles through capacity-building and on the-job coaching.
• Identify technical Legal gaps in the activities and identify/implement solutions to address these gaps.
• Where needed, provide technical review and support to Case Management teams for legal issues in their cases.
• Develop and maintain oversight of a legal services referral directory, or update a general referral directory with legal available services, as needed.

  Service Provision:

• 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 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 centres, local institutions providing support to the local population to establish a mapping of existing services;
• Contribute to capacity building of local organizations and community groups on legal matters relevant for beneficiaries;
• 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;

  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 we expect you to have the following:

• 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.
• University degree in Law
• Report writing skills
• Previous experience in international organizations and humanitarian settings
• Previous experience providing legal services
• 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 DRC’s vision and values. 

We offer

Contract length: 9 months

Level: G.1

Start date: As soon as possible.

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

Application process

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.

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

Closing date for applications: 31^st March, 2019.  Due to the urgency of the position DRC reserves the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.

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