Job Description

The GBV Legal Counselor will be an integral part of International Medical Corps (IMC) and will also support the overall implementation GBV prevention and response interventions. The GBV Legal Counselor is a professional Ethiopian lawyer and knowledgeable of the Ethiopian national laws and judicial procedures. He or she is expected to provide specialized and appropriate services aimed at improving access to justice for refugees, especially women and girls in the Gambella refugee camps and working on community awareness on Ethiopian law and GBV. Under the direct supervision and management of IMC, the GBV Legal Counselor will receive technical guidance and support from UNHCR and ARRA protection staffs in the camps to facilitate his or her tasks.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Being aware of the Ethiopian laws and police procedures related to gender based violence, the GBV Legal counselor shall ensure that all reported cases of GBV for legal assistance are investigated. In collaboration GBV response officer, the GBV Legal counselor shall accompany or support survivor(s) through security and legal processes.
• Provide legal counseling to survivors of GBV, their families. Caregivers and witnesses about the available legal provisions within the Ethiopian criminal law.
• Provide legal support through mediation or counseling to women and girls who are experiencing GBV. Assist women in cases of child support, inheritance rights etc
• Refer survivors of GBV to IMC case workers to access case management/psychosocial support and referral for healthcare and safety services.
• Based on survivors’ consent, ensure that cases of GBV are reported to appropriate authorities and that the survivors are accorded access to justice as well as health, psychosocial and safety services and support.
• Follow up on cases with the local police and judicial officers to ensure that the rights of survivors are promoted and protected throughout the legal process.
• Monitor court hearings and trials: besides addressing the need of the survivors, the GBV Legal Counselor will evaluate the needs of the survivor’s family members/caregivers and address their needs and rights.
• Ensure partnership and collaboration with the district police and courts – to gain professional legal advice and representation for survivors of gender based violence.
• The GBV Legal Counselor will take lead in tracking and keeping records of cases referred to the police and court to monitor trends and for analysis. Track indicators and analyze data on all cases, including those where legal action is not pursued or has been pursued but subsequently failed.
• The GBV Legal Counselor will initiate legal awareness and education campaigns on positive behavior change among refugee community towards women and girls. The GBV Legal Counselor shall ensure that he or she uses the most effective communication strategies to create awareness on Ethiopian national laws and international human rights principles among refugees in the camp.
• The legal counselor will integrate activities with community mobilization officer and will organize different awareness sessions on types of GBV in relation with Ethiopian Law in the camps.
• The GBV Legal Counsellor will support women’s rights advocacy groups to promote the rights of refugee women and girls as well as boys.
• Initiate specific activities to encourage tolerance and peaceful co-existence between the host community and the refugees.
• Collaborate with International Medical Corps, UNHCR, ARRA and other relevant actors to train legal practitioners on the basic concepts of GBV and legal response
• Ethiopian laws and legal response to incidents of abuses against women and girls as well as boys and men.
• Capacitate staffs and safety and security actors to provide legal support and follow cases by closely communicating with case workers and Security actors.

COORDINATION & ADVOCACY

• Represent International Medical Corps at all camp coordination meetings related to Community safety and well-being
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all relevant stakeholders including ARRA, refugee community, NGOs, UN agencies and other interagency sectors groupings;
• In collaboration with the program management team, participate in advocacy initiatives quality programming and resources mobilization.

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS: (Training/education/experience/physical demands required; provide 6-8 requirements)

Required Education and Qualifications

• Law degree with at least 3 year’s relevant work experience, particularly in women’s rights.
• Experience working on gender based violence issues desirable.
• Experience working with refugees desirable.
• Commitment to working confidentially, responsibly and with respect for legal ethics.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative required.
• Good IT skills: knowledge of MS Word and Excel required.
• Ability to work as part of a team that shares the common goal of helping to prevent and respond to incidents of abuses against women and girls as well boys and men.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements should submit their application letter by clearly stating the position that you are applying for and CV through www.ethiojobs.net on OR before September 24, 2020.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: IMC is equal opportunity employer and hence candidate from all background: religion, ethnic group, qualified women and people living with disabilities, etc are all encouraged to apply.