Lawyer (Sulaimani)

About SEED: SEED is a women-led, local NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, dedicated to creating a thriving society by advancing social protection and human development. We support individuals, empower communities, and strengthen systems to drive lasting change and equal opportunity. With a focus on collaboration, we promote gender equality, protect children, combat human trafficking, and improve mental health and well-being. SEED’s holistic, locally-driven approach integrates transformational services, community development, training and education, and advocacy to create sustainable impact. SEED is committed to creating a just, equitable society where everyone’s rights are protected, with healthy families and strong communities, and a future where everyone can thrive.

Role of the Lawyer: 

The purpose of the lawyer position is to provide legal information, counseling and representation to survivors of GBV and/or human trafficking and those at risk of violence. The lawyer reports to the Protection and Service Delivery Manager (PSDM).

Specific Tasks: 

Legal Service Delivery – 80%

• Provide legal information, counseling and representation (court and administrative) services in regard to gender-based violence, human trafficking and other protection violations.
• Conduct legal awareness sessions and help individuals realize and claim their rights.
• Advocate on behalf of individual clients with relevant stakeholders including courts and the governmental offices to ensure that rights are upheld and protected.
• Ensure that internal and external referrals are well received and followed up in a timely manner.
• Prepare and proceed all paperwork for legal fees and transportation allowances in line with SEED policies.
• Identify case management and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs of clients and refer them. This requires close work with case managers-CMs and psychologists to ensure that clients’ needs are met.
• Adhere to all SEED policies including the policies for the legal services policies and SOPs and human resources, finance, security and procurement and logistic policies and procedures.
• At the request of the PSDM/ line manager, attend and represent SEED at meetings and working groups, and ensure coordination with stakeholders and the communities.
• Any other relevant task as assigned by the line manager.

 Documentation and Reporting – 15%

• Maintain electronic and physical archiving of legal cases as per the SEED SOPs.
• Provide regular monthly reports on legal activities, cases and challenges to the line manager.
• Identify legal and protection trends and properly document and report them to the legal Coordinator.
• Develop individual weekly and monthly work plans and share them with the line manager.
• Provide legal analysis and input on the existing laws and policies in KRI at the request of the line manager.
• Prepare monthly case presentations to the line Manager.

Monitoring and Evaluation – 5% 

• Assist in the supervision and monitoring of legal services, as well as maintaining accurate records in accordance with MEAL’s data gathering.
• Follow SEED’s data collection approaches and ensure systematic gathering and accuracy of legal data.

• A bachelor or advanced degree in law
• Membership of Kurdistan Bar Association (Iraqi Bar Association if confirmed s/he is allowed to practice law in KRI).
• More than 3 years of experience working as a lawyer in the KRI and/or Iraq. NGO work experience is desirable, and work experience at the camps.
• Language requirements: Kurdish (Fluent) and Arabic (Advanced). A working knowledge of English is required for the TIP program and desirable for other programs.

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via this LINK no later than December 10, 2025.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Safeguarding Statement 

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct and Policies. SEED is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members as part of our commitment to a safe and harmonious work environment.