Legal Specialist

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

DRC Jordan is looking for a qualified  individual to fill the role of Legal Specialist  to  provide technical support to all DRC Jordan legal activities, including legal assistance and legal counseling. The role provides support and/or technical guidance to all field staff working on projects with one or more legal components. Leads on the development of DRC’s Legal programme activities to take it to scale and ensure best practices are met throughout the country.

About the job

The individual will report directly to Protection Manager. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Technical Oversight of Legal Activities.
       • Technical assistance in all legal activities within the DRC Jordan Protection and Livelihoods programmes.

• Technical oversight of all legal activities conducted by DRC Jordan legal officers and partners.

      • Capacity building for all staff working on projects with a legal component, including the development of capacity building plans. 

• Develop and update DRC Jordan legal strategy, tools and changes in parallel with the Jordanian context and DRC global strategy and legal policies.
• Develop and update legal implementation activities quality and identify DRC Jordan legal partnership and monitor work quality.

      • Development of SOPs for all legal activities.

       • Establishment of legal help desks for DRC Jordan’s Community Centers and DRC partners. 

      • Development of outreach material with a legal focus.

• Develop, maintain, and intensify contacts with relevant government institutions and authorities, representatives of other NGOs, civil society organizations and resource persons to facilitate access to legal and regulatory information for NGOs

       • Provision of awareness raising activities.

      • Other tasks, as requested by the Protection Manager.

Monitoring, reporting and development
• Development of tools for monitoring of all legal activities, in collaboration with the Protection and M&E Managers.
• Quality control and site monitoring to ensure that legal activities are provided in line with minimum standards.
• Contributions to donor and management reports.
• Development of needs assessment tools to inform program design and strategic direction, in collaboration with the Protection and M&E Managers.

Support to government liaison and coordination

• Build and maintain strong relations with relevant focal points in the government to ensure efficient information flows and access to relevant senior government officials related to the legal activities.
• Provide strategic advice and to collect, consider and communicate key relevant information to relevant persons within DRC
• Link regularly with relevant focal points in the government to maintain constructive working relations
• Participate in relevant governmental meetings, as agreed with the Country Director.

External coordination and representation
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings, as agreed with the Protection Manager.

About you

• Degree in Law; Masters would be an asset.

         the candidate must be a bar-registered lawyer

Required / Desirable

• Minimum 7 years of experience working for an INGO in the protection sector, with a focus on legal programming. 
•  Experience working in an advisory role would be an advantage. 
• Experience providing training on legal topics
•  Experience working with national partners, local/and UN organizations
• Good knowledge and understanding of government settings/functions and specifically the Government of Jordan.
• Minimum four years’ experience in a similar role or working with the government highly preferred
• Good communication and negotiation skills required; diplomatic approach preferred.
•  Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Full professional proficiency in English and Arabic

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: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Designation of Duty Station: Amman

Start date: ASAP

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.

Closing date for applications: 15 April 2020

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.