Legal Officer - Protection

Job title: Legal Officer - Protection
Reporting to: Project Manager .
Management or Non-Management: Management
Direct reports: project  Manager   .

Job brief:

Under the direct supervision of the  Project Manager (PM), the Legal Officer will ensure the effective implementation of ASO’s legal aid intervention. The Legal Aid Officer will be responsible to deliver timely, high-quality, and effective legal aid services, including legal information and awareness session, counseling, and support to access legal documentation) in Talafer Distract. The Legal Officer will be responsible for legal interventions in the assigned areas of operation, as well as maintain effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including community members, local partners.

Main responsibilities:

Legal Services:

1-Provide protection legal services in compliance with ASO SOPs and international guidelines and standards, under the technical supervision of ASO PM in ASO community centers and through mobile team.
Be responsible for conducting awareness sessions, legal counseling, and facilitating access to civil documentation.
2-Disseminate accurate and impartial information to the beneficiaries through group awareness sessions in ASO's operation areas, selecting the legal topics in full consultation with the Protection Officer, and P Manager, and using an AGD approach.
Undertake individual sessions providing legal information and legal counseling as per the established work plan.
3-Provide legal documentation services through the Civil Registration Authority office in Talafer, including issuing IDs and birth certificates.
4-Ensure clear communication with beneficiaries to inform them of potential courses of action and empowering them to pursue their chosen options.
5-Fill legal forms and legal tracking sheet, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy and timeliness under the supervision of the PM.
6-Conduct field visits to identify local NGOs, charity associations, social centers, and local institutions providing support to the local population to establish a mapping of existing legal services.
7-Conduct field visits to assess the legal protection needs and concerns of the target population, with attention to people with specific needs.
8-Identify individuals at risk and persons with specific needs and refer them to the necessary services after receiving informed consent and according to ASO criteria.
9-Remain up-to-date on legal procedure, Iraq Law and policy developments, and support to update legal guideline & SOPs' documents as needed.
10-At all times safeguard the safety and respect of the individual, in addition to the confidentiality of his/her information and his/her right to access services without any discrimination.

Monitoring and Reporting

1-Ensure tracking and reporting of activity data and target achievements to supervisor (PM).
2-Submit to the PM weekly and monthly reports on all Legal activities, developments in the law context in Iraq.
3-Attend weekly supervisory meetings with the protection team and PM to address any issues and set team plans.
4-Maintain the legal database updated and consistent, and support the data analysis of legal case data in a safe and ethical manner.
5-Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools and report on problems in the implementation of the program.
6-Keep case files up-to-date to ensure quality and accuracy of information, following ASO Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring beneficiary’s data are protected.
7-Ensure that all legal documents/forms are archived in the SP folders and in the locked cabinets, following ASO protocols for archiving documents.

Other

1-Maintain positive work relationship within the team, and promote team-building efforts in coordination with the PM.
2-Must adhere to ASO’s mission, values, code of conduct including respect for the principles of neutrality, do no harm, nondiscrimination and confidentiality.
3-Ensure transparency and ASO’s positive regard and reputation with communities and participate in community outreach.
4-Must treat all partners and beneficiaries with dignity and respect.
5-Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as directed by the PM.
 

Experience and technical competencies:

1-At least 3 years of experience in the legal sector and providing legal services in the humanitarian sector.
2-Familiarity/prior experience with ASO and its persons of concern (including internally displaced persons, returnees) is a distinct advantage.
3-Excellent knowledge and understanding of local communities, customary rules and Iraq Law.
4-Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards is an advantage.
5-Demonstrated interpersonal skills and respect for people with specific needs and other vulnerabilities.
6-Excellent organizational and planning skills as well as communication and inter-personal skills.
7-Punctuality and respect for applicable rules and guidelines.
8-Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, work independently and prioritize work 9-under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
10-Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility.
11-Willing to collaborate with and support people from different ethnic groups and different religions.
12-Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, nondiscrimination and safety of beneficiaries at all times.
Computer/IT literacy (OS Windows, MS (Word, Excel in particular), etc.
 
Education:

Essential qualification

University degree in Law.

While this vacancy is open to both Internals and Externals, priority shall be given to qualified internal applicants.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via this link:

https://forms.gle/RgzwFJ1ymKD3UBjq9 

In order for an application to be considered valid, ASO only accepts online profiles duly completed. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.