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Protection Legal Counselor based in Gaziantep

Gaziantep

  • Organization: GOAL
  • Location: Gaziantep
  • Grade: Mid level - Mid level
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

About GOAL

GOAL is an international emergency and development NGO dedicated to alleviating the suffering of the poorest and most vulnerable. GOAL was established in 1977 and is currently operational in 13 countries world-wide. GOAL has been working in northern Syria since 2013, responding to the acute needs of conflict-affected communities both through direct implementation and through partners, delivering food, non-food programming, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services. GOAL has been contributing to the urban refugee responses in Turkey since 2016 with a focus on enabling access to health service and protection services for vulnerable and marginalized asylum seekers in Turkey.

Overview of the Link Program

GOAL seeks a Field Operations Assistant for its ECHO-funded LINK program. The program aims to connect vulnerable and marginalized communities to available state and non-state services in Ankara, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa and Adana using the outreach, advocacy and Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) approaches. Link will address and mitigate protection concerns of the vulnerable/marginalized refugees through provision of critical information and raising their awareness on their rights, obligations and services available in Turkey, by sensitization/advocacy (targeting key stakeholders and service providers, etc.) activities and Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) services to assist vulnerable individuals to access to basic, social and protective services available under the provisions of Temporary and International Protection regulations in Turkey.

Job purpose:

The position will be based in Gaziantep and under the supervision of the Protection and Inclusion Coordinator, the Legal Counsellor will be responsible to ensure quality implementation of legal protection activities in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa through individual legal counselling and group legal awareness and information sessions.

General Functions of the role:

  • Actively introduce and promote the LINK protection services with service users, colleagues and others within and outside the organization.
  • Work co-operatively with other agencies and stakeholders in respective Link program locations particularly with the legal BAR Associations and statutory service providers including PDs of MoFLSS and PDMMs for the most vulnerable cases with critical needs.
  • Contribute to local forums and coordination mechanisms, as agreed upon with the line manager, to develop and nurture fruitful local partnerships.
  • Be up-to-date on his/her knowledge of relevant policies, laws, legal services and assistances for appropriate referrals and lead on collating provincial information regarding service gaps, law and policy changes, etc. to inform LINK activities and service development.
  • At all times, be vigilant of potential child/adult protection issues and report any suspicions to the supervisor and/or to IPA teams.
  • Work in a professional manner with clients, families and relatives to establish mutual trust and understanding, and to ensure services provided address identified needs and issues.
  • Understand the processes of discrimination and oppression at individual, cultural and structural levels and challenge them appropriately.
  • Promote the most effective and efficient use of GOAL’s material, human and financial resources.
  • Within the bounds of confidentiality and appropriate consent, communicate effectively with individuals and agencies using a variety of methods to keep them appropriately informed and involved in service processes.
  • Maintain and update referral documentations/information and ensure that progress is logged in the legal referral trackers, files and database.
  • Bring the relationship with a client to a professional conclusion.
  • Prepare and submit weekly, biweekly and monthly progress reports to supervisor as requested.
  • Work with the MEAL team to ensure that appropriate monitoring activities are undertaken to a high standard to capture lesson learned and best practices.
  • Ensure adherence with GOAL’s code of conducts and other internal policies i.e. on confidentiality, safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion including the GOAL's commitments to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
  • Work with supervisors and peers in harmony to achieve Link service plans, objectives/targets.
  • Participate in one to one performance development reviews/appraisals and contribute to the identification of own development needs.
  • Ensure full compliance with the GOAL’s health and safety policy and all locally agreed safe methods of work.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

  • Provide appropriate legal information to clients, professionals, colleagues and others in order to maximize good decision-making processes.
  • Interpret and explain legislation, official documents and letters, etc. to beneficiaries.
  • Assess legal issues/needs of individuals and identify possible courses of action together with the clients.
  • Develop materials/modules for and deliver group legal awareness and information sessions.
  • Provide technical supports for program’s IEC materials i.e. information leaflets and booklets, etc.
  • Provide training and technical support to LINK protection teams concerning legal rights and obligation of people living in Turkey under temporary and international protection regulations.
  • Ensure that legal counselling and referral activities are compliant with GOAL IPA SOPs, GOAL’s accountability principles and internationally recognized protection principles, including with international and local legislative requirements.
  • Liaise with other internal departments and external organizations on behalf of beneficiaries and provide legal referral and accompaniment services to clients with a range of legal issues, working together and empowering them, to address their legal needs/challenges and reduce their protection concerns/risks.
  • Develop and use a range of interpersonal, communication and interviewing skills to carry out different level of assessments of legal risks and needs of individuals and ensure that at all times beneficiaries are aware of what options are available to them and that they are supported to pursue chosen options and assisted to access legal services and resources.

Requirements (essential)

  • Turkish Citizenship
  • University in Law degree; ability to practice law in Turkey, active member of Turkish Bar Association.
  • Strong communication skills, both verbal and written in English and Turkish. Arabic is an asset.
  • Experience of community-based programs, social work and/or field case management experience,
  • 1-3 years’ work experience in NGO (in paid or voluntary capacity) preferably experience in Southeast of Turkey and/or with semi-nomadic groups is an asset.
  • Understands rights and protection issues of refugee mean, women and children.
  • Proven communication, interpersonal and representation skills.
  • Working knowledge of and experiences with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. required.

Interested? Then apply for this position via clicking on the "apply now" button and fill out the application form. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application deadline is 18 December 2019.

General terms and conditions

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults a must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

  • Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, Code of Conduct, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
  • Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
  • Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to submit an application as early as possible.

Thank you.

Interested? Then apply for this position via clicking on the "apply now" button and fill out the application form. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application deadline is 18 December 2019.

This vacancy is now closed.
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