Legal Protection Officer – Jeddah 1 Camp – (NWA/012)

INTERSOS is an international, non-profit, humanitarian organization on the front line of emergencies, bringing assistance to victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters, and extreme exclusion with particular attention to the protection of the most vulnerable people. Since 1992 our humanitarian workers have been helping people affected by humanitarian crises: we provide first aid, food, shelter, medical assistance, and basic goods. We ensure that basic needs, such as education, access to clean water, and health assistance, are met.

All INTERSOS employees are expected to perform their roles and responsibilities according to the INTERSOS charter of values, code of ethics, PSEA and Child Protection policies. The job description is mandatory for all positions within INTERSOS and shall be signed by the employee within the first week of employment.

Purpose/objective of the position:

The Legal Protection Officer is responsible for the technical supervision and coordination of all legal and community-based Protection activities under the supervision of the Protection Manager. S/he will ensure that training and capacity building needs of field protection staff are timely addressed and that the protection services and activities meet quality standards in the sector.

Generic Duties:

• Provide technical guidance and support to Protection staff (lawyers and community mobilizers), ensuring quality in the implementation of activities and services as well as the adherence to protection standards;
• Support the field teams with the development of technically sound (monthly & weekly) work plans, consistent with the goals and objectives of the project;
• Maintain regular and positive collaboration with colleagues to enhance synergies and ensure that intervention between the different project components is harmonized and that protection is mainstreamed into the other sectors of intervention;
• Participate in the recruitment of project staff, provide objective feedback with regards to staff performance (evaluate performance and deliverables against job descriptions), expectations and areas for growth and professional development;
• Identify capacity building needs of the protection team by assessing their knowledge and skills and accordingly provide learning opportunities through training, workshops and/or simulation exercises; ensure continuous on the job coaching and mentoring;
• Support the Protection Manager in developing and/or updating protection tools and training material in order to meet the project’s requirements;
• Contribute to the development of quality internal/external reports and project proposals, providing relevant protection data, insight and analysis;
• Ensure that INTERSOS data protection, PSEA and CP policies are shared, understood and upheld by all staff in compliance with the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality;
• Establish and maintain collaborative relations with relevant partners and other project stakeholders working in the project areas;
• Contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date service mapping of the service providers operating in the area and take proactive steps to remain informed about the available services;
• Proactively participate in relevant coordination meetings, as requested by the Protection Manager;
• Other duties as assigned by the Protection Manager.

Specific Duties:

(Can be adapted to the particularities of the job location and the requirement of the specific project, but should be approved by the Protection Coordinator before advertising the vacancy).

• Manage and supervise a team of 1 legal team leader, 5 Lawyers, and 4 community Mobilizers;
• Provide coaching and technical guidance to the protection staff to ensure quality and timely implementation of activities including: (i) provision of legal information, counselling and assistance to vulnerable persons on civil documentation and family law; (ii) planning and conducting awareness raising sessions on protection related issues with focus on legal;
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of legal and protection activities on beneficiaries;
• Receive external and internal referrals in line with set criteria and allocate them among lawyers;
• Maintain and update a database of legal cases and a database of internal and external referrals. Provide timely feedback to INTERSOS Case Management staff or to other agencies for cases who were referred for legal assistance;
• Regularly follow up with the community mobilization team on legal assessment, return monitoring and ASSIST enrolments.
• Monitor that progress on individual cases is documented by the lawyers/legal interns, ensure the proper filing and archiving of individual legal files to maintain data confidentiality, respecting strict protocols for confidentiality and consent;
• Regularly verify the status of the legal database, conduct case audits to ensure that cases meet and maintain compliance with established SOPs and minimum standards in legal assistance; provide feedback to lawyers and legal assistants;
• Participate in case meetings for complex cases with a legal issue, if requested by the Protection Manager;
• Regularly analyze data, elaborate on trends and legal situation to feed into relevant reports;
• Provide technical guidance to the development of the legal program and related material (legal brochures, legal awareness);
• Plan and facilitate the induction process for all newly recruited lawyers, community mobilizers and legal interns on protection principles, safe identification and referral procedures, legal SOPs other relevant topics;
• Contribute to the drafting of yearly/monthly financial plans for the relevant budget lines. Ensure monthly follow up on progress of budget expenditures against financial plan and preparation of weekly liquidity plan.
• Coordinate with field staff and with the INTERSOS Logistic Department for materials and services needed to implement activities in the field.

Person Specification:

Education and professional experience:

• Advanced university degree in law;
• Minimum two years of relevant professional experience (of which at least 1 year in a supervisory role);
• Previous working experience with IDPs, refugees and returnees;
• Excellent knowledge of the Iraqi legal system and legal procedures;
• Strong knowledge of international protection and human rights legal standards;

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Good leadership skills
• Strong technical knowledge in protection and psycho-social support
• High confidentiality, respect and a non-discriminatory attitude
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical and report writing skills
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work under pressure and as part of a team

Languages : 

• Fluency in Arabic (written and spoken)
• Proficiency in English (written and spoken)