Protection Assistant – Legal X2 (171841)

Protection Assistant Legal – Anbar Fallujah

In 2003, DRC became one of the first organisations to provide humanitarian assistance in the country. Today, DRC continues to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable displacement-affected families, including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in Basra, Baqubah, Jalawla, Gatoon, Baghdad, Muqdadiya, Balad, Aziz Balad, Samarra, Mosul, Duhok, Tel Afar, Baa’j, Sinjar, and Erbil.

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

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified candidate with the relevant experience and skills for the Protection Team Leader role in Iraq.

Overall purpose of the role:

• Under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader (Legal), the Protection Assistant (Legal) will be responsible for providing legal aid services, including legal information dissemination, counseling, assistance, and representation to beneficiaries in Anbar – Fallujah.
• Additionally, the Protection Assistant (Legal) will maintain case data within relevant legal trackers and databases, follow up on referrals, and contribute to report inputs. The role also involves assisting the Protection Officer (Legal) in ensuring the quality of planning, implementation, and follow-up on legal services provided.

Responsibilities: 

• 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), sex (men and women) and abilities (including people with disabilities).
• At all times, respect information management principles and guiding protection principles to ensure the confidentiality and quality of services provided.
• Disseminate accurate and impartial information to the beneficiaries through individual counselling, group sessions, advisories, and leaflets.
• Identification of people in need of individual legal aid (legal counseling or legal representation) and ensure timely response, through static and mobile activities (as relevant).
• 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 Officer (legal) and Protection Team Leader (legal)
• Undertake individual sessions providing legal information and legal counseling as per the established work plan.
• Provide legal representation services to qualifying individuals, including for civil documentation and housing, land, and property issues. When appropriate and agreed upon with the Team Leader, support local advocacy and mediation to mutually resolve legal cases (e.g., eviction threats, property disputes).
• Assess whether selected beneficiaries qualify for financial assistance under the legal aid program fund to cover costs related to resolving legal issues.
• Update and maintain legal case files on individual developments, ensuring the timely entry of accurate data, following DRC Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring clients’ data and confidentiality are protected.
• Conduct regular visits to targeted field location and provide inputs for an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area.
• Participate in ADR (alternative dispute resolution) activities in line with DRC ADR SOPs and as requested by the protection legal team leader based on project workplans and support the community mediator for implementing ADR activities.
• Follow up with community mediators to keep track of ADR sessions and provide them with regular technical support.
• Participate in internal and external trainings, as requested by the Protection Officer (legal aid) and Protection Team Leader.
• Support capacity building activities of community groups, civil society organizations and local NGOs.
• Assist Protection Team Leader and Officer in maintaining constructive relationships with relevant legal entities (CAD, courts, etc.), local government institutions, and other local service providers, in coordination with the other team members; report any changes to these relationships/policies to Team Leaders.
• Remain up-to-date on legal procedure and policy developments, providing Legal officer with situation reports as needed.

Administration:

• Ensure all legal aid activities are recorded and documented accurately and in a timely fashion on DRC Iraq’s Information management 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, or to support evidence-based advocacy initiatives.
• Support MEAL team with implementation of evaluations and surveys.
• Produce activity reports as required by protection team leader-Legal.
• Support Protection Officer (legal aid) 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 policy and 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 Officer (legal) and Protection Team Leader.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 1 year of relevant work experience in the legal sector, with experience in, Personal status Law, Labor law & workers’ rights. Internship/work experience accrued during legal studies is also accepted.
• Experience in working with NGOs is preferred.
• 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 is favorable.
• Candidates with contextual understanding and legal experience will be given preference over English language requirements.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• University Degree in Law and member of Iraqi bar association

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Arabic
• English is preferred

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• DRC staff
• Persons of concerns.
• Other actors working staff.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ 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: Until 30 April 2025
• Salary Band: I
• Start Date: 1 November 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. Please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. 

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV by using link to Apply (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 31 August 2024

: Females are strongly encouraged to apply

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.