Protection Officer ( Legal Aid )

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Protection Officer ( Legal Aid ) to work in Tripoli (but covering other locations throughout West of Libya) to implement DRC legal activities including legal awareness sessions and information dissemination, legal counselling, and other related tasks for Libyan and non-Libyan populations in need of humanitarian assistance.

About the job

In close coordination with the Protection Assistant – Legal Aid and other DRC Protection teams and field units, the Protection Officer – Legal Aid is an active member of the protection field team, involved in different field-based activities related to legal assistance. This includes providing sound and timely advice on all forms of civil documentation, delivering legal counselling and support to access to legal services, and develop materials related to access services and rights.

The position coordinates with other team members to ensure best implementation of activities, monitoring and data collection, to ensure quality and efficiency of DRC overall protection program. 

Responsibilities will include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:

Programming & Operations

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of program activities related to provision of services and assistance to vulnerable and at-risk individuals. To this end, s/he will be requested to provide inputs on weekly workplans and implementing program activities accordingly with the Protection Assistant – Legal Assistance.
• Conduct assessment of gaps in the legal needs of Libyan and non-Libyans (including migrants and refugees in Libya) and how this affects their rights and access to services making linkages to any legal framework in Libya.
• In coordination with the Referral Officer, contribute to the development and maintenance of a  service mapping of international and local legal assistance actors, and legal services available in Tripoli and West of Libya – including details of civil documentation processes and procedures.
• As part of the Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) support migrants and refugees in obtaining civil documentation via the official routes including embassies, hospitals and local authorities.
• Disseminate accurate and impartial information to beneficiaries through individual legal counselling, collective/group events, advisories and leaflets.
• Carry out information dissemination and awareness raising activities among the IDP, migrant and refugee communities on legal/rights topics, in coordination with the Community-Based Protection Team Leader.
• Undertake individual sessions providing legal information and legal counsel as per the established work plan.
• Monitor and share trends for analysis of the legal protection situation and environment in all areas of intervention for all groups of concern for management, program, and advocacy purposes.
• Provide mentorship and supervision to the Legal aid assistant(s) in implementing the legal aid activities with the support of the Protection Manger.

Reporting

• Ensure proper use of tools and online platforms provided for effective reporting of activities and information management as relevant.
• Update case files and databases on individual developments, following DRC Standard Operating Procedures and standardized tools with high respect for data protection and confidentiality.
• Ensure quality and accurate reports and supporting documentation on programme activities related to  the provision of protection services and assistance are submitted timely and on a daily basis to the Protection Manager and/or the Protection Information Management Officer for verification, aggregation and analysis.

Representation and coordination

• In coordination with the Protection Manager, represent DRC to a range of stakeholders including individual beneficiaries and community groups, humanitarian agencies, services providers, local authorities, etc. To this end, ensure professional standards and transparent communication to build trust and collaboration with concerned stakeholders.
• Ensure that all interactions with individual beneficiaries take place in an environment and in a way that respects and promotes their safety, trust and dignity. Ensure that all interactions with other stakeholders such as community members and service providers are conducted in accordance to the principles of respect, confidentiality and collaboration.

Operations

• Contribute to the effective implementation of support activites related to the effective implementation of the program, including in terms of logistics, administration, human resources, finance and security. In all matters, comply with internal directive and policies as communicated by the Protection Manager.
• In coordination with the Protection Manager act as the focal point to the support department regarding the provision and distribution of support related to the provision of legal assistance including by taking and closing cash advances.

• Ensure compliance with the relevant internal policies and directives.
• As well as any other duties as may be assigned by the Programme Manager, relevant to the achievement of Protection objectives.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for an individual with management experience, strong inter-personal skills to communicate with a variety of stakeholders and across teams and motivation and passion to ensure high quality, accountable implementation of humanitarian, nexus and development programmes. Moreover, we also prefer you to possess the following:

Required

• Minimum 2 years of professional experience in the field of Law, as a lawyer or paralegal.
• Previous experience working with international and national NGOs would be an asset
• Knowledge of human rights and community development, preferably with an international humanitarian organization is an asset.
• Experience working directly with and knowledge of conflict-affected and/or vulnerable groups, including migrant and refugee populations and knowledge of the protection and humanitarian issues affecting migrants and refugees in Libya.
• Demonstrated capacity to represent the organization to external stakeholders and beneficiaries in a professional manner, and to build trust.
• High-level of computer literacy and proven capacity to write short activity reports
• Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards, with special emphasis on women rights and SGBV.
• Strong cultural awareness and sensitivity, ability and willingness to work with all groups of conflict-affected population, including vulnerable migrants and refugees.
• Field-oriented attitude and strong humanitarian spirit.

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: 3 months.
• Band: H
• Designation of Duty Station: Tripoli libya with regular travel within Western Libya.
• Start date: ASAP.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of national Employment.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply using the link provided in the advertsiment .Applications sent by email or to other platforms will not be considered. 

Closing date for applications: September 19th, 2024.

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