Title: Legal Protection Officer

Location:  May Tsebri- Tigray Region

Reports to: Base Manager

Grade-H2

Start of Contract & Duration: One Year

Posting date: June 2, 2020

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. The organization has offices across the region, and has been operational in Ethiopia since 2009.  With funding from bilateral and multilateral donors, DRC is currently implementing a range of activities across Ethiopia and Djibouti, including WASH and shelter provision, child and youth protection, gender based violence response, awareness-raising of migration risks, protection monitoring of migration routes, and livelihoods support for returning migrants or those at-risk of migration.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE JOB

DRC under SWISS budget planning to implement a 12-month project to improve access to justice and rule of law and promotion of peaceful co-existence through community-based conflict resolution between refugees and host communities in shire. The legal officer will be responsible to provide legal counselling and assistance for the targeted community. DRC, therefore, is seeking a highly qualified, enthusiastic and action-oriented individual for the position of Legal Protection Officer to support with the implementation of the action’s legal components. Applicants are expected to have a demonstrated legal background combined with experience in project implementation. DRC highly encourages female applicants.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Responsibilities

• Provide beneficiaries who require more detailed information on legal matters and related issues with counselling services and technical assistance as well as facilitate referrals and possible legal advice.
• Support the Legal Protection Specialist in collaboration and coordination with Mekele University’s legal aid clinic to provide services to refugee and host communities. This entails regular field work in refugee and host communities.
• Ensure case management tool implemented and project documents and databases are properly kept and updated.
• Train local authorities and selected refugee and host community groups to provide information on and make referrals to legal aid services.
• Contribute to enhancing customary dispute resolution techniques for and between refugee and host communities, including conflict management, mediation, negotiation and reconciliation.
• Ensure all components of the action adhere to protection standards and principles as well DRC guidelines and accountability standards.

Implementation

• Lead the daily implementation of legal components of the action. This entails ensuring weekly and monthly work, financial and procurement plans are in place and closely followed.
• Work closely with the action’s MEAL team to monitor project achievements. When activities are identified as behind schedule or are facing technical or logistical challenges, work with the Legal Protection specialist to identify and implement corrective actions.
• Contribute to regular reviews of achievements and spending for the action and contribute to all project reporting related to legal activities.  

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.  

• Bachelor degree in law.
• 2 to 3 years of work experience within the field of law.
• Experience working with an international NGO or UN agency preferred, but not required.
• Technical understanding of protection concepts, prevention and response strategies.
• Proven record of designing and facilitating trainings and workshops on legal topics.
• Hands-on experience working with communities and governmental authorities.
• Proven record of designing and facilitating trainings and workshops on protection-related topics.
• Strong planning, organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to consistently meet deadlines under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel.
• Excellent verbal and written proficiency in English.
• Amharic and Tigirigna language skills will be an added advantage.