Legal Manager

Major Responsibilities:Major responsibilities of the Legal Manager (not exhaustive) are listed below:

Technical Guidance:

•  Review donors’ and legal reports produced related to the provision of legal services to ensure technical accuracy achievement of indicators and legal analysis/trends;
• Provide technical support to Snr Protection Managers to ensure quality of services delivered;
• Undergo regular visits to the field offices to provide technical support to the teams and ensure adherence to standards;
• Leads the development of legal information training materials for Refugee Outreach Volunteers, and provides follow up support and guidance to ROVs engaged with IRC on protection activities.
• Develop effective training materials in line with IRC technical best practice and standards.
• In cooperation with the Protection Coordinator, devises broader legal services programming strategy.
• In cooperation with the Protection Coordinator ensure mainstreaming of legal information across sectors within the IRC program and support integration of programming.
• Leads on the development of documents informing of latest legal development and impact at the national level to streamline access to justice services.
• Provide technical support to Legal Team Leaders for complex cases.
• Maintain up-to-date familiarity with all relevant provisions of Lebanese laws and regulations.
• Clearly define the training needs of the legal team and ensure they are able to access training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions including staff development plans.

Representation, coordination and advocacy

•  Forge connections with counterparts including INGO, Local NGO, governmental and other non-governmental stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Protection Coordinator and Advocacy advisor to identify and coordinate advocacy plans and initiatives on legal issues of importance and concern.
• Collaborate closely with other program departments in order to ensure that linkages between programs are made and programs gain from training best practice.
• All other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:Protection and Rule of Law Coordinator
Position directly supervises:None

Indirect Reporting (Technical): Legal Team Leaders across the country

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Snr Protection Managers across the country, Security Focal Points, Protection Data information manager, Snr M&E Officer, Snr ICT4P Officer, Advocacy advisor

External: National and regional legal Partners Coordination Groups and other external meetings organized related to the legal sector

Work Experience:

•  At least three years of prior professional experience as a practicing lawyer or in a position where legal advice, counseling and assistance was frequently provided to vulnerable clients. 
• Strong knowledge in International Law (Refugee law, Human Rights, IHL)
• Experience working for an international organization is preferred.
• Experience providing legal counseling and assistance on issues including HLP, employment law, civil status and criminal issues.
• Experience interacting with judicial, security and administrative authorities.
• Good protection background and knowledge of refugee context, as well as demonstrated ability to identify and refer vulnerable cases, is desirable.
• Experience in external representation and coordination.
• Experience in delivering trainings and capacity building.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

•  Strong management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
• Excellent ability to interpret, analyze and synthesize information in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent knowledge of the Lebanese legal system, its stakeholders and processes is strongly preferred.
• Excellent organizational skills, timeliness, ability to determine priorities and great attention to detail.
• Proactive, flexible, team spirited and willing to learn.
• Good computer skills including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Language Skills: 

•  Excellent drafting and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic.