Legal Officer

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 25 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. 

The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting IDPs, refugees and local communities. IRC Uganda has it country office in Kampala and regional offices in Kitgum Moroto, and Yumbe. The current program portfolio includes health, protection and rule of law, women’s protection and empowerment, and economic recovery and development programming

SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the supervision of Senior Legal Officer, she/he will identify legal needs in the field; provide counseling, information and legal options. The Legal Officer will be responsible for conducting legal information sessions on rights and obligations of refuges and key Uganda laws, legal case management and follow ups, detention facility visits and support reintegration of refugees released from detention. She/he will work with communities particularly Community Based Paralegals to ensure access to legal assistance is accessible by all.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitor and support Community Paralegals in alternative dispute resolution activities and receive weekly reports for filing and documentation.
• Undertake regular monitoring and visits of Police and Prisons detention facilities
• Provide legal counseling, information and available legal options to refugees and other persons of concern.
• Conduct legal information sessions on rights and obligations of refugees, human rights and key Laws of Uganda under guidance of Senior Legal Officer.
• Conduct case management and follow up on legal cases with relevant authorities and ensures all individual files are well documented and fully updated.
• Coordinate with Senior Legal Officer to conduct client satisfaction survey for closed cases
• Closely work with Police to provide necessary assistance to survivors and witnesses.
• Submit weekly reports and activity reports as required by the supervisor.
• Participate in legal trainings for state and none state actors as directed by the Senior Legal Officer.Support Senior Legal Officer to analyze data, highlight trends and legal protection needs of refugees and other persons of concern through the monthly statistics of cases recorded in the legal data base.
• Work on budgets and raise PRs to support procurement processes.
• Ensure CommCare is used efficiently
•  Participate in external meetings aimed at promoting access to justice for refugees and legal assistance such as district coordination committee meetings, Zonal meetings involving UNHCR, OPM and partners.
• Responsible for organizing all activities taking place in the Zone allocated
• Work closely with the Protection Officers to ensure linkages and referrals are done in a safe, effective and timely manner.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Deadline for receiving applications is February 9th,2021