Legal Assistant

Requisition ID: req51605

Job Title: Legal Assistant

Sector: Legal

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Tal Al Samen Camp, Syria

Work Arrangement: In-person

Deadline: 6-May-2024

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:  

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

This position will be based in Raqqa – Tal Al-Samen camp – and will focus on supporting the implementation of Protection of the Rule of Law (PRoL) programs in northeastern Syria. The International Rescue Committee is expanding its PRoL portfolio in northeastern Syria programs including adding legal aid activities. The Legal Community Mobilizer (LA) will play a key role in supporting and expanding the legal component of IRC’s protection programs. They are expected to provide direct support to refugees, internally displaced people and host community members to access their legal rights through awareness sessions, individual counseling and legal assistance. The LA- will report to the Chief Legal Officer (LO) based in Raqqa.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct a survey on access to justice, protection awareness and rights in the community and camps, likely focusing on access to civil status documents and access to justice in northeastern Syria.
• Provide information sessions on protection, rights and entitlements, legal status, and other issues as required. Providing the necessary legal advice for individual cases.
• Providing individual legal consultations in Tal Al-Sameen camp.
• The legal assistant will be responsible for collecting data for Tal Al-Sameen camp. And send it to the legal official.
• Receive and attend referrals from local NGOs, community members, and international NGOs.
• Develop and update a map of legal services/administrative bodies in the region.
• Support returnees regarding legal issues (possession of documents – risks of lack of civil documents – how to renew them, etc.).
• Other duties assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law or relevant professional training.
• Lawyer and member of the Syrian Bar Association.
• At least two years of experience in the legal field.
• Efficiency in writing weekly and monthly reports.
• Ability to keep records and write simple, basic reports of activities will be an added advantage.
• Ability to discuss sensitive issues with respect and empathy.
• Basic computer skills and familiarity with Word/Excel.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Commitment to the IRC’s mission, vision, values and approach – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Written, presentation and verbal communication skills. Ability to convey information effectively and strong experience in providing training and staff development
• A demonstrated sense of professional commitment, integrity, and the ability to deal with complex situations diplomatically and find effective solutions.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a strong ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a multicultural context.
• Verify the ability to plan long-term, organize priorities, and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detailed direction and professional patience.
• Very helpful and resourceful. Ability to establish positive working relationships with senior management and all other partners to maximize collaboration and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to constantly learn and develop and a good morale are a must.
• Analytical ability to find effective solutions to complex issues while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

Language – Arabic is required.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Legal officer
Position directly supervises: —-

Indirect Reporting (If applicable): —–
Key Internal Contacts: ——

Key External Contacts:  ——

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.