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Legal Counsellor

lashio, myanmar

  • Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
  • Location: lashio, myanmar
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Legal - Broad
    • Human Resources
    • Medical Practitioners
    • Legal
  • Closing Date: Closed

Requisition ID: req4462

Job Title: Legal Counsellor

Sector: Legal

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Lashio, Myanmar

Job Description

Job Overview/Summary: Under the supervision of the Protection Manager (NSS), the Legal Counsellor will identify legal needs in the field, provide counseling and assistance including representation in relevant administrative and judicial bodies. The Legal Counsellor will conduct direct case intake on site and will also receive referrals from other actors, including UNHCR and other NGOs. The Legal Counsellor will refer cases requiring other forms of non-legal assistance to other specialized service providers.The Legal Counsellor will be responsible for conducting legal information sessions on protection, rights and entitlements, legal status, statelessness and other issues, as dictated by the needs at field level. As part of a mobile team, the Legal Counsellor will be focused on a particular set of locations enabling him/her to conduct consistent follow-up with beneficiaries, if and as needed. The Legal Counsellor will work with community leaders to support advocacy at the community level and engage in mediation and negotiation as needed (especially with regard to housing, land and property disputes).

Major Responsibilities:

Conduct mobile field visits 3-4 times per week to villages, urban areas, and displacement sites to meet with the community members according to the weekly work plan;

  • Identify legal needs in the field and provide on-site counseling;
  • Under the technical guidance of the Legal Specialist, assist persons of concern by representing them in relevant administrative bodies;
  • Conduct case intake on site utilizing digital data collection system;
  • Deliver information sessions on protection, rights and entitlements, legal status, statelessness and other issues as dictated by the needs at field level;
  • Engage in mediation and negotiation as needed (e.g. on housing, land and property issues);
  • Analyze data and highlight trends and legal protection needs;
  • Under the guidance of direct supervisor, facilitate one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with refugees, host community members, state actors and service providers in the field on selected protection and legal concerns;
  • Keep records of the urgent legal needs identified and the actions taken to assist/address them;
  • Produce weekly reports on activities based on IRC standard tools;
  • Work to strengthen IRC’s relationship with local authorities and community leaders in order to maintain consistent access to those most in need; and,
  • Conducts other duties as assigned by supervisor or recommended by the Legal Specialist.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:Protection Manager (NSS)
Position directly supervises:
NA

Qualifications

Education: 

  • Law degree

Work Experience:

  • At least two years of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international organization.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

  • Belief in human rights including gender equality.
  • Strong communication skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships with new communities.
  • Strong understanding of International Human Rights, Refugee Law, Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, Pinhero Principles, Humanitarian Law and Myanmar law;
  • Familiarity with the Myanmar legal community;
  • Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word.
  • Experience in regular report writing.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
  • Flexible and able to work in a dynamic and diverse environment.

Language Skills:

  • High standard of spoken and written local language, with some English language skills desirable.

Working Environment:Standard office environment with daily travel to the field, around Northern Shan State (security conditions permitting).

Myanmar nationals with relevant skills sets and proven experience of working at international level are strongly encouraged.

This vacancy is now closed.
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