Legal Technical Advisor

About SEED Foundation: SEED Foundation is a registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering high quality, holistic approaches, which combine international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan Region. SEED’s programming focuses on three key objectives: 1) the delivery of transformational, comprehensive services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities; 2) strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-development programs; and 3) promoting policy and social change to strengthen the rights of, and protections for, vulnerable groups and individuals through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy.

Role of the Legal Technical Advisor:

The Legal Technical Advisor is a seasoned legal professional and current/former practicing lawyer and will have various responsibilities within SEED’s system strengthening, policy, advocacy, and technical assistance efforts, with a primary focus on combating human trafficking. These responsibilities include advocacy – continues engagement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and other actors on critical human rights, particularly trafficking issues; technical assistance – provision of guidance and expertise to KRG officials in developing tools, standard operating procedures (SOP), drafting regulations, and implementing procedures related to anti-trafficking measures; ensuring access of legal frameworks to the SEED anti-TIP legal team; support in assisting with the design and execution of SEED’s technical initiatives, policy, advocacy, and awareness-raising campaigns aimed at promoting the rights and protections of victims of trafficking and individuals at risk.

The Legal Technical Advisor will be based in SEED’s Sulaimani office, with frequent travel to Erbil, Duhok, and other locations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Additionally, the Legal Technical Advisor will serve as a vital liaison between SEED, other organizations, and the KRG. They will also implement technical assistance and training activities and provide guidance on complex legal cases as required.

This position reports to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Program Manager and collaborates closely with the broader anti-TIP program team, SEED’s senior management, and the technical department. The Legal Technical Advisor is expected to align with SEED’s mission, objectives, core values, and guiding principles.

Specific Tasks:

Program Implementation and Technical Leadership (50%)

• Plan and implement interventions for SEED’s Human Right and Anti-TIP technical assistance programming including analyzing and drafting legislation, regulations, and policies related to the Anti-trafficking, labor/migrant workers rights, and immigration.
• Provide technical assistance and advice to the KRG, which supports the implementation of the Anti-TIP legislation, through the assessment and development of relevant tools, regulations, and/or procedures.
• In collaboration with the Anti-TIP Program Manager, develop and update relevant training modules and deliver capacity-building workshops and training to identified KRG partners.
• In coordination with the Anti-TIP Program Manager serve as a SEED representative for anti-trafficking efforts, ensuring strong collaboration and coordination on policy and advocacy efforts, as well as strengthening the identification of and responses to potential cases of TIP.
• In coordination with the Anti-TIP Program Manager and the Communications team, support the design and development of relevant awareness-raising initiatives that seek to educate the public on issues of TIP and provide opportunities for survivors to understand their rights and access support.  
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and understanding of human trafficking legislation, policy, regulations, and local trafficking issues, and coordinate with SEED’s Legal Coordinator and Legal and Advocacy Advisor to provide recommendations to SEED’s anti-TIP interventions.
• Make direct interventions with local authorities, and other organizations (UN, NGOs, embassies) on behalf of clients, if the service delivery team needs support and where appropriate. 
• Cooperate with SEED’s Service Delivery Department Manager, Protection and Service Delivery Manager (PSDM), and Service Delivery Coordinator (SDCs) on individual complex cases through coordination with the Legal Coordinator and anti-TIP PSDM to create a plan to manage those cases.
• Contribute to building the technical capacity of SEED staff through the delivery of technical training in coordination with the Legal Coordinator. 
• Provide technical assistance (guidance and coaching) to legal teams, project officers, and project managers, in collaboration with the Legal Coordinator and the Program Manager.
• Ensure activities are implemented in a timely manner, in line with donor regulations,  organizational policies, and international best practice standards, in shared accountability with the Anti-TIP Program Manager.
• Assist the Anti-TIP Program Manager with planning and implementation of SEED’s wider Anti-TIP programming.
• Conduct legal analyses and research as necessary.
• Provide legal and technical assistance to support and enhance the legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks for SEED Foundation. 
• Develop clear protocols, guidelines, and standards consistent with international best practices on the delivery of anti-TIP training and provision of technical advice.
• Draft briefs, by-laws, policies, regulations, and SOPs, based on the Program Manager’s request.
• Assist in the preparation of human trafficking briefing sessions as per needs.
• Perform other relevant duties based on request.

Strategic Coordination and Organizational Representation (40%)

• Foster and enhance partnerships and collaboration among anti-trafficking stakeholders, including the KRG, UN Agencies, and NGOs. Focus on procedure development, capacity-building priorities, and the sharing of information and lessons learned.
• Work alongside related stakeholders and influencers to formulate strategic policy recommendations to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts and improve protections for TIP survivors and vulnerable individuals within the KRG.
• Negotiate and liaise with various parties, including employers, recruitment agencies, Governmental Directorates, Consulates, and Embassies representing TIP clients, as necessary.
• Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with key KRG anti-trafficking stakeholders, particularly government program partners such as Directorate of Combating Organized Crimes (DCOC), Residency Directorates, Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA), and DCVAW, including engagement with high-ranking government officials and the Judiciary.
• Maintain and develop working relationships and strategic partnerships with additional KRG actors who play a role in combating human trafficking in the KRI, including regular Police, Regional Human Rights Commission Offices, Asayish, Governors, Governmental Shelters, Detention Facilities, and MOLSA Labor Directorates.
• Act as a SEED representative in interactions with UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant entities as required.
• Attend meetings and represent SEED Foundation as necessary while adhering to all SEED Foundation policies, procedures, and protocols.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (10%)

• Work with the MEAL team to ensure policy, advocacy, training, technical assistance, and public awareness activities are properly monitored, documented, and evaluated.
• Produce quality program reporting for SEED monthly, quarterly, annual, and lessons learned reports and contribute to monitoring and evaluation systems, in close collaboration with the MEAL team.
• Make recommendations for program development and course corrections
• Contribute to new program design and donor proposals.

• Bachelor Degree in Law. A Master’s Degree in Law, private or international law, international human rights law, international criminal law, or other related fields is a plus.  
• At least Five years experience working with NGOs as a lawyer.
• Experience working as practicing lawyers at national courts specifically experience working on criminal cases and lawsuits.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and public speaking skills. 
• Strong understanding of protection and human rights issues.
• Strong belief in human rights for all and gender equality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to gain trust and build relationships. 
• Excellent diplomatic and persuasion skills. 
• Strong ability to work independently and work as a team member.
• Fluency in English, Kurdish, and Arabic speaking and writing are required.
• Good computer skills, including the use of email and Microsoft Word, Excel and online data collection systems.
• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this LINK.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 
• Only complete applications will be reviewed. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.