Protection Assistant (Legal)

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunities 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 fulfillment of the wish to return home. 

DRC is Denmark’s largest NGO. We are a leading international NGO – one of the few with specific expertise in forced displacement. In 40 countries across the world, our 7,500 employees work to protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.

In 2003, following the start of foreign military operations in Iraq, DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country and now operates in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Telafar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

Find more about DRC operations in Iraq here: Iraq tendersglobal.net DRC Danish Refugee Council

Reporting to:      Protection Team Leader

Employment Band:       (I)     Non Manager

Unit/department:     Protection

Location:    Salah Al Din / Balad – Aziz Balad.

Overall purpose of the role:

• Provision of legal aid services including legal information dissemination, counselling, assistance, and representation to beneficiaries in Salah Al Din. In the communities where DRC works, in accordance with DRC’s organizational mandate, and priorities.
• The Protection Assistant (legal) will also be responsible for maintaining their case data within relevant legal trackers and databases, following up on referrals, and contributing report inputs.
• Assist the Protection Officer in ensuring quality of the planning, implementation and follow up on legal services provided

Geographic scope: Salah Al Din / Balad – Aziz Balad (Iraq).

This role has a focus on Salah Al Din and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within DRC Iraq and the Salah Al Din area office. The role contributes to the implementation of protection strategies for Salah Al Din – Balad, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.

Main Responsibilities:

Provision of legal aid:

• Provide legal services, in line with DRC Iraq guidance and standard operating procedure (SOP) to community members of different ages (youth, adults and older persons), gender (men and women) and abilities (including people with disabilities).
• At all times, respect information management principles and guiding protection principles.
• Disseminate accurate and impartial information to the beneficiaries through individual counselling, collective/group events, advisories, and leaflets.
• Identification of people in need of individual legal aid (legal counseling or legal representation) and ensure timely response.
• Identification of vulnerable people in need of individual protection support (case management and/or individual protection assistance), ensure timely referral and coordinate on multidisciplinary response.
• Report urgent and high-risk cases to Protection Team Leader.
• 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.
• Conduct regular visits to targeted field locations.
• Participate in internal and external trainings, as requested by the Protection Team Leader.
• Support capacity building activities of community groups, civil society organizations and local NGOs.
• Remain up to date on legal procedure and policy developments, providing Legal officer with situation reports as needed.
• Provide inputs for an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area.

Administrative

• Ensure all legal aid activities are recorded and documented accurately and in a timely fashion on DRC Iraq’s IM system.
• Maintain legal aid case files up to date and ensure information management principles are respected at all times.
• Provide inputs to internal/external reports at the request of the Protection Team Leader and Project Manager – Protection.
• Support MEAL team with implementation of evaluations and surveys.
• Produce activity reports as required by Protection Team Leader.
• Support Protection Team Leader with administrative tasks including purchase requests to supply chain.

Other:

• Ensure compliance with DRC guidelines and policies on HR, admin, finance, and supply.
• Ensure adherence to DRC national staff policy guidelines and Code of Conduct.
• Ensure compliance with DRC AGD policy and AGD programmatic minimum standards.
• Ensuring compliance with the zero-tolerance to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policy.
• Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by the Protection Team Leader.

Required experience and competencies:

• Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience in the legal sector, with experience in INGOs/NGOs and Companies law, Labor law & workers’ rights. Internship/work experience accrued during legal studies is also accepted.
• Experience in facilitation of legal awareness session and the delivery of legal counseling to vulnerable groups is preferred.
• Understanding of protection principles, protection minimum standards
• Excellent IT skills (Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word and PowerPoint)
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and always prioritize the safety and dignity of beneficiaries.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Fluency in Arabic
• Ability to communicate and write in English.

Candidates with contextual understanding and legal experience will be given preference over English language requirements.

Required Education

University degree in Law.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment

WE OFFER

• Contract Length: 7 Months
• Salary Band: I
• Start Date: 01-April-2024
• Comprehensive health insurance for staff, spouse, and up to two children under 18.
• Personal Accident insurance coverage in the event of work-related accidents during working hours.
• Psychosocial support for staff and family members.
• Learning & Development opportunities for professional growth.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National Staff.

DRC as an employer
By working in DRC, you will be joining a global workforce of around 8000 employees in 40 countries. We pride ourselves on our:

• Professionalism, impact & expertise
• Humanitarian approach & the work we do
• Purpose, meaningfulness & own contribution
• Culture, values & strong leadership
• Fair compensation & continuous development

DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please visit drc.ngo/about-us/job-and-career/support-for-job-seekers.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer and we consider all applicants regardless of race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status. We have a strong ambition to further enhance the diversity of our workforce and our goal is to achieve 50% gender balance and at least 50% representation of national staff in management roles. We acknowledge the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive team to successfully achieve our organizational goals and positively impact the communities we serve.