Legal Representative

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE 

 

ABOUT SEARCH  

 

Search for Common Ground (Search) is a non-governmental organization working to transform  the way societies deal with conflicts. We have over 40 years of experience in peacebuilding and  are based in 50 local offices worldwide. We strive to build sustainable peace for generations to come by working with all sides of a conflict, providing the tools needed to work together, and  finding constructive solutions. While conflict is inevitable, violence is not. Our mission is to  transform the way the world deals with conflict, away from adversarial approaches and toward  cooperative solutions. Instead of tearing down an existing world, we focus on constructing a  new one.

 

OBJECTIVES 

 

To represent Search for Common Ground in Iraq and engage with the Government of Iraq  and the Kurdistan Regional Government for all legal and tax related matters. Search is seeking individuals or companies actively working in Erbil and Baghdad.

 

DELIVERABLES 

 

The roles and responsibilities of the legal service provider/company will include:

1. Give accurate and timely counsel to executives in a variety of legal topics (labor law,  partnerships, international ventures, audits, taxes, legal related issues (staff &  organization), etc.)
2. The service provider will advise on the KRI/Iraqi Labor Laws and other existing effective laws and regulations in Iraq,
3. The service provider will ensure that all legal services are conducted in accordance with KRI/Iraqi law, Organizations’ Principles, and internal ethical and best practice procedures.
4. On an annual basis the service provider will update the Admin order for the KRI  government. Search supports the service provision process by providing all necessary  documentation as to date available including reports, documents, POA, delegation  letters, etc.
5. Collaborate with Search Iraq Senior Management to devise efficient defense strategies.
6. Apply effective risk management techniques and offer proactive advice on possible  legal issues.
7. Communicate and negotiate with government offices such as and not limited to DNGO  office, tax offices, syndicate of accountants, etc.
8. The service provider needs to work on registering the NGO in the department of tax and social security in Baghdad.
9. Draft and solidify agreements, contracts and other legal documents to ensure the  company’s full legal rights.
10. Provide clarification on legal language or specifications to the organization and its  employees.
11. Review and legalize Search’s Annual Financial Report to the Directorate of NGOs in  Iraq/Kurdistan Region and obtain approval from the Syndicate of Accountants in  Iraq/Kurdistan Region.
12. Conduct work with transparency, integrity, quality, responsibility, and on agreed  timelines.
13. Maintain current knowledge of alterations in legislation.
14. Support with other tasks as requested by the Search Senior Management.
15. Translate and legalize official documents from/to English- Arabic- Kurdish and vice  versa.
16. The service provider will be responsible for issuing and reviewing Kurdistan/Baghdad residency cards for Search personnel.
17. When requested, attend case meetings for complicated cases involving legal matters.
18. Offer legal representation for cases that require essential civil documentation or lawsuits.

The service provider must make every effort to complete the required services within  reasonable timelines. The service provider should also provide Search with regular  information on the progress of work and shall immediately inform Search in writing of any  circumstances that may interfere with or jeopardize the performance of the work in  accordance with this agreement.

 

EXPERT PROFILE  

 

Successful candidates will be expected to have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Law A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and at least five years of experience as a Legal Counsel.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of labor and tax law and  procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to create legal defensive or proactive strategies.
• High degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Sound judgment and ability to analyze situations and information.
• Outstanding communication skills.
• Interpersonal skills that evoke trust and are gender and culturally sensitive.
• Willingness and ability to be flexible.
• Fluent in Kurdish and Arabic, knowledge of English is preferred.

Throughout the duration of the contract, the legal service provider is requested to  coordinate closely with Search’s Senior Management regarding deliverables.

Search agrees to pay to the service provider according to the service prices determined in  the Quotation/Offer provided by the Service Provider to Search. Search will reimburse the  service provider for official/governmental fees, proven by official invoices.

 

Note: During the application process, please make sure to present the financial proposal as below:

Legal Representative – Financial Proposal
#	Service	Unit	Price
1	Legal Advice	Per Hour
2	Legal Document Translation	Per Page (250 words each page)
3	Legal Document Drafting	Per Document
4	Contracts, Employee Handbook Review	Per Page
5	Annual Admin Order Update	Per Service
6	Tax Office Registration	Per Service
7	Social Security Registration	Per Service
8	Annual Financial Report	Per Service
9	Residency issuance and Renewals	Per Passport
10	Government (DNGO, Tax/S&S offices, etc.) Coordination Visits	Per Visit
11	Legal Case Representation	Per Case
12	Other: