Job Summery

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, and food security and livelihood. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti and Somalia. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $50 million in programs, and approximately 1,700 staff based in in the various country offices, Head Quarter in New York City and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.

About the Country Program in Ethiopia

Action Against Hunger has been operational in Ethiopia since 1984 responding to both chronic and acute needs through a multi-sectoral strategy where nutrition, Food Security and Livelihoods, WASH, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support activities are integrated to have a meaningful impact on people’s resilience. Action Against Hunger currently operates in 5 different regions (Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, and Gambella) with a portfolio of 20m USD/year of emergency, resilience building, research, and innovation programs. We have a country team of around 600 staff in 17 regional and satellite offices. Our main donors in Ethiopia in 2020/2021 are BHA, ECHO, Europaid, UNHCR, UNICEF, GFFO, BPRM, SIDA, EHF, WFP, CIAA, and others 

General Assignment:

I. Summary of position

Action Against Hunger has a strong commitment to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of fraud and abuse – as well as a safe environment for fairness and firm. We are determined to utilize our donor’s money for the intended purpose and beneficiaries, staff from abuse through robust prevention, mitigation measures to minimize risk as a priority and sue for justice for the interest of Action Against Hunger. Recognizes that having strong legal advisor is a key component of our commitments to accountability to affected populations in our development and humanitarian programs. 

The Legal Advisor –role’s purpose, engagement and delivery are:

Purpose

The Legal Advisor will be responsible for handling all legal issues for Action Against Hunger and represent the organization in courts. S/he will review and provide advice from the legal perspective, on documents (Contracts and agreements) prepared and issued by the organization.

Engagement

The Legal Advisor –will have a regular communication and coordination with field Coordinators and HR Officers. S/he closely communicates and works with the Senior Management Teams and Safeguarding manager for different advisory purposes and potential court case issues on contract management and terminations.

Externally, s/he works closely with the Courts offices at all levels, MoLISA, and other government agencies. 

Delivery

The Legal Advisor will manage all court issues consistently, transparently, confidentially and safely taking each issue seriously and acting upon them timely as per internal policies and procedures/ Labor laws / legal codes and constitutions. S/he is also responsible in monitoring standard sector practices on reporting, data management and share learning across all locations in the country office.

II.     Essential job duties

§ Collect copies of all court decisions and document same for future use; avail them at the Head Office and ensure its translations to English and other local languages as per need

§ Provide legal advice to the Senior Management Teams of Action Against Hunger on all points of law either verbally or in writing.

§ Review and identify any risks in employment contracts, business contract agreements with third parties and other bodies

§ Institute, defend, appeal, respond, intervene, plead, interplead, oppose or act in any manner whatsoever, in any suit by or involving the interest of Action Against Hunger in any court, arbitral tribunal or other proceedings

§ Represent Action Against Hunger Ethiopia in and outside Addis Ababa in all court cases

§ Present written progress report on cases at hand on a monthly basis

§ Prepare interim or casual report on legal cases, as required by supervisor

§ Ensures that all Policy and Procedure, HR Manuals of Action Against Hunger Ethiopia are in accordance with the local laws

§ Provide guidance and training to Human Resources staff, Management and all staff on legal requirements and conditions put under the Labor Proclamation as and when required

§ Participate in disciplinary issues investigation process

§ Represent Action Against Hunger Ethiopia in any legal related meetings and workshops

§ Review grant documents (contracts, letters, etc) and ensure that they are in accordance with the respective Ethiopian Law.

Note – the JD is subject to minor revision prior to contract signature.

III.               Fiscal Responsibility

§ Technical supervision / advice to Field and Capital Teams regarding any contract management

IV.              Gender Equality Commitments  

§ Foster an environment that supports values of women and men, and equal access to information.

§ Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

§ Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion. race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status. 

§ Value and respect all cultures. 

V. Fiscal Responsibility

Budgets and all grants are implemented in compliance with Action Against Hunger and donor regulations.

VI. Physical Demands

§ While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.

VII. Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week in the duty station and/or areas of intervention/ during field visit. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required. Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic (at least 50% of the time) and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases. 

Job Requirements

• Required Qualifications and Professional Experience
• Minimum of Master’s Degree in Law.
• At least 5 years’ work experience in legal courts,
• INGO experience is advantageous
• Required Skills & Competencies
• Proactive in providing legal advices on the possible outcome of actions, decisions etc.
• High level of integrity, discipline and professionalism; ability to maintain confidentiality of information and processes
• Very good in both verbal and written in Amharic and English languages
• Very good computer skills including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Highly organized, motivated, capable to learn and develop,
• Able to work independently.
• Willing to travel frequently to the field
• High commitment to confidentiality
• take initiative where appropriate.
• Ability to provide or recommend solutions to problems; show flexibility to assume additional responsibilities
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication and presentation skills, including the presence to deal effectively with diverse constituencies including senior management

Commitment to Action Against Hunger’s work and values

How to Apply

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested, please send your application composed of none returnable CV, a Covering Letter with “Legal Advisor” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following addresses:

Through www.ethiojobs.net                                   

 Deadline: 16 March 2021 before 5:00 pm

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be, communicated on and the selection process includes technical tests and an interview.