Title: Protection Officer - Legal

 Location:  Dollo Ado Somali Region 

Employment Category:  H2

Salary Range: As per the organization scale

Reporting To:  Area Manager

Posting date: January 09, 2024

Required Employee: 1                    

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. DRC Ethiopia began operations in 2009 and has been responding to the needs of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities ever since.  DRC Ethiopia currently has programs implemented through five area offices (AO) in Gambella, Tigray, Somali (Jijiga & Dollo Ado) and Afar regions, as well as its country office (CO) in Addis Ababa.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

The Protection Officer-Legal, under the supervision of the Protection Officer, will be responsible for carrying out protection and legal activities in accordance with DRC's legal aid policy and standards. The assistant will provide legal aid services to IDPs, host communities, and refugees, returnees which includes identifying and targeting beneficiaries, providing legal information, counseling, assistance, and facilitating representation. Additionally, the assistant will perform any other protection activity required by their line manager and supervisor to achieve the project objective.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Programming & Operations 

• Develop a work plan for the implementation of activities focusing on Legal service provision within the framework of the project;

• Carry out activities focusing on legal support according to work plan and allocated budget in accordance with international and national laws and regulations;  

• Conduct rapid assessment to identify the protection risks, legal service needs and concern of the target population and frame response according to the identified need.

• Conduct individual /group information dissemination on the legal rights and procedures with a focus on issues affecting the target population through the mobile protection desk and community outreach.

• Provide guidance to the mobile protection desks on framing key legal information to be shared through the desk.

• Provide legal counselling and legal assistance to the target community through the mobile protection desk.

• Develop and disseminate IEC materials with key messages on legal rights and procedures and available legal and protection services to the target population.

• Facilitate and advocate access to legal documentation for the target community in collaboration with relevant government authorities and humanitarian agencies.

• Facilitate access to Legal aid service in partnership with universities/legal aid providers to individuals needing legal representation.

• Implement standardized legal case management procedure.

• Organize capacity building training to government stakeholders and community-based structures on relevant international refugee laws and national laws and procedures.

• Engage with DRC finance, administration, and supply chain team as needed to facilitate implementation of project activity;

• Perform other relevant duties, as needed or requested by supervisor. 

Reporting 

• Prepare and submit progress reports of activities to his supervisor.

• Keep up to date record of legal cases and provide update as needed.

Coordination 

• Liaise and build partnership with community leaders, local authorities, humanitarian organizations operating in the area and other relevant actors to achieve project objective;

• Establish working partnership with other same minded organizations/institutions as needed and requested by supervisor

• Collaborate with DRC area office, country protection program, and other DRC sectorial programs towards integrated programming.

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.  

Job Requirements

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 2 years work experience in the legal sector, preferably in a humanitarian context;

• Prior Experience working with persons of concern including refugees, internally displaced and/ or returnees;

• Experience and familiarity with Ethiopia’s judicial system;

• Familiarity with international laws focusing on IDP and refugee rights;

• Understanding of protection principles and protection minimum standards;

• High level of personal initiative, analytical and problem-solving skill; 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain working relationships across the organization.

• Commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures

• Good proficiency in Microsoft Office package.

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• University degree in Law/ LL. B

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Proficiency in Somali language is highly desirable

How to Apply

Interested candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to submit an updated CV and cover letter explaining their motivation and why they are suited for the post. 

We only accept applications sent via our online-application form on THIS LINK

Please forward the application and CV, in English through the stated website no later than January 23, 2024.

We strongly encourage female candidates to apply for the position!

For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult www.drc.ngo

Gender Equality: DRC is committed to achieving gender parity in staffing at all levels. In light of this, women candidates are particularly encouraged to apply to bridge the gendergap.
Equal Opportunities: DRC is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment based on mutual respect for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability status, religion, ethnic origin, colour, race, marital status, or other protected characteristics

We encourage only qualified Ethiopian Nationals to apply. DRC considers all applicants based on merit.