Legal Manager

Background:

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home. 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 Lamwo, Arua, Kyegegwa, Moroto, and Yumbe. The current program portfolio includes health, protection and rule of law, women’s protection and empowerment, Education and economic recovery and development programming.

Scope of Work

The Legal Manager will be responsible for technical oversight and support to field level implementation of IRC legal services programming in West Nile.  Reporting to the Deputy PROL Coordinator, she\he will provide strategic management in the development of the access to justice programme, key amongst which will be the management of the designated legal representation partner, supervision of the Legal Officers and the provision of technical advice and support to field teams on access to justice issues.  They will also work closely with the Protection Manager, Protection &Rule of Law Coordinator and Technical Advisor (TA) in keeping the IRC’s access to justice programme relevant to the context and emerging issues impacting on refugees and other vulnerable individuals. 

Major Responsibilities· 

• · Manage IRC legal assistance program in line with research recommendations, existing strategy, proposals and donor requirements.
•      Build and maintain relationships with other actors
•      Manage the partnership for legal representation activities
•   Recruit and provide technical training to the field teams, providing extensive support to the Legal Officers.
•  Design context-specific guidance, standards and tools on different approaches and strategies on access to legal assistance in-line with IRC’s A2J guidance and best practices.
•    Work closely with the Legal Officers to support management of challenging cases.
•   Regularly update the paralegal guidance manual and information materials as needed to ensure accurate information dissemination based on ongoing context analysis of the current situation in the settlements and urban environment.
•   Track and regularly report on program deliverables and targets per donor requirements to the Deputy PROL Coordinator and Protection Coordinator.
•    Prepare regular written updates of work conducted and scheduled.

Program Development

• ·  Contribute to any business development required for the legal program, including drafting concept notes, proposals as required by the Deputy/Protection Coordinator.   

 Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• · Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
•   Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team.
•  Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
•    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.
•   Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and support probationary reviews.
•    Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
•   Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
•    As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
•    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.
•    Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
•     Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities.
•    Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

• ·   Develop and maintain an appropriate archiving system / database in order to track activity progress and quality;
•    Support the Deputy PROL Coordinator and the Protection Coordinator to develop and implement regular monitoring and evaluation activities for the legal program.

Coordination & Representation

• ·  Support the timely information sharing regarding challenges and needs at the field level
•   Represent IRC in internal and external forums as needed, including Protection working group meetings and sessions relevant to access to justice programming.
•    Assist in contributing to the development of referral mechanisms in collaboration with IRC coordinators, other NGOs and the Protection working group.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: Deputy PROL Coordinator       

Indirect/Technical Reporting:  Senior National PROL Manager, Protection Coordinator &PRoL Technical Advisor

Position directly Supervises: Legal Officers- West Nile

Key Internal Contacts:

·         Country Program: Other field site Protection Managers &Programme Manager, WPE  Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Program Coordinator, Field Coordinator

§  Region/Global: Protection Rule of Law Technical Advisor

Key External Contacts: 

·         UNHCR, OPM, Uganda Law Society management teams and any other emerging partners.

Standards of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Deadline for receiving applications is February 21st,2022

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.