Protection Assistant (Legal)-Ba'aj/Ninawa X2

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 the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Algeria, Libya/Tunisia, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman. DRC has 17 offices and approximately one thousand staff members across the MENA region. Following an internal HQ restructuring, from 1st January 2018 the region is focusing on the Middle East, hence Algeria, Tunisia and Libya will transition to a new region during the course of 2018, while Yemen will join the Middle East region.

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 an

Responsibilities:

Service Provision:

• Disseminate accurate and impartial information to the beneficiaries through individual counselling, collective/group events, advisories, and leaflets.
• Undertake individual sessions providing legal information and legal counseling as per the established work plan.
• Provide 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.
• Update and maintain legal case files on individual developments, following DRC Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring clients’ data and confidentiality are protected.
• Conduct legal protection discussions with varied target groups – using an age, gender, and diversity perspective.
• Conduct field visits to assess the legal protection needs and concerns of the target population, with attention to people with specific needs – and submit reports to the Protection Officer (legal).
• Identify and refer Extremely Vulnerable Individuals and People with Specific Protection Needs for assistance according to DRC pre-defined criteria; conduct referral follow-up. Liaise with the mobile protection team on referrals of identified individuals in need of legal assistance, provide preliminary legal counselling and flag cases in need of additional support to Officers and Team leader.
• Conduct field visits to identify local NGOs, charity associations, social centers, 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.
• Assist Protection Team Leader and Officer in maintaining constructive relationships with municipalities, other local government institutions, local NGO partners, other international organizations, in coordination with the other team members; report any changes to these relationships/policies to Team Leaders.
• Representation of DRC and active participation in the local working groups and any other meetings as requested.
• Remain up-to-date on legal procedure and policy developments, providing Legal officer with situation reports as needed.
• Promptly report urgent protection cases to line manager.

Grant implementation and reporting

• Provide inputs to internal/external reports at the request of the Team Leader / Protection Project Manager.
• Ensure timely, consistent and reliable entry of data into the protection Legal database with adherence to data protection protocols.
• Bi-weekly review of open cases using tools and case planning.
• Support the data analysis of legal case data in a safe and ethical manner.
• Responsible for the creation and updating of monthly procurement plans for legal services, submit to Team Leader on a monthly basis.

Coordination and representation

• Assist Officer and Team Leader in maintaining 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.
• Provide inputs for 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; Ensuring compliance with the zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy.
• 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.

Experience and technical competencies:

• Relevant professional experience of one (1) year in the legal sector, with experience in Companies law, Labor law & workers' rights. Internship/work experience accrued during legal studies is also acceptable.
• Preferred: candidates with prior experience or familiarity with DRC and/or persons of concern (including internally displaced persons, returnees and refugees), including through community volunteer work.
• Preferred: candidates with a contextual understanding of the Location of deployment. Candidates with contextual understanding and legal experience will be given preference over English language requirements.

Education:

Essential qualification

• University degree in Law.
• Report writing skills.

Desirable qualifications:

• Previous experience in international organizations and humanitarian settings.
• Previous experience providing legal services.
• Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Languages:

• Fluency in Arabic is required.
• Ability to communicate in English is preferred

We offer
Contract length: 6 months (with the possibility of extension)
Salary Band: I
Start date: May  15th, 2021.
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 on the apply button.
Closing date for applications:  05-10-2021 
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.ng