ICLA Legal Officer (National Position)

Anbar

Organization: NRC - Norwegian Refugee Council
Location: Anbar
Grade: Mid level - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- Legal - Broad
- Legal - International Law
- Protection Officer (Refugee)
Closing Date: Closed

Right Respected, People Protected
NRC in Iraq
Iraq, with a long history of displacement, has seen an unprecedented rise in recent years. Of the more than 5.8 million Iraqis who fled their homes since 2014, two million remain displaced. Over four million Iraqis have returned to their area of origin. Many Iraqis have returned to areas that lack basic infrastructure, utility services and livelihood opportunities, or where explosive devices have not been cleared. Other challenges include: lack of security, community rejection, housing, property and civil documentation issues and lack of educational opportunities.The UN estimates that more than 8 million Iraqis will need assistance in 2019, and 3.2 million children attend schools irregularly or not at all. Humanitarian agencies are asking for 569 million USD to deliver basic assistance to Iraqis (HRP 2019). With military operations against IS group having ended, the Iraqi government faces new challenges to ensure an inclusive reconstruction and reconciliation that will sustain peace.Since 2010,NRC Iraq has been assisting internally displaced Iraqis, Syrian refugees, and host communities in Ninewa, Dohuk, Erbil, Kirkuk, Basra and Anbar. We focus on assisting the newly displaced, those in lengthy displacement in camps and those in hard-to-reach places. In 2018, NRC scaled-up programmes across Iraq to respond to the large-scale displacements and returns, especially in Anbar governorate, around Kirkuk and in Ninewa using our water and sanitation, education, camp management, legal assistance, livelihoods, camp management, and cash activities.

Duties and responsibilities

Coordinate closely with customary, humanitarian and peacebuilding actors working in the customary justice system to facilitate access, provide trainings on Registration / Civil Documentation (RCD) or Housing, Land & Property (HLP) rights and provide ongoing technical support and mentorship to customary justice actors;
Provide mobile legal assistance to beneficiaries who are unable to claim or realize their Registration/Civil Documentation (RCD) or Housing, Land & Property (HLP) rights on their own, through legal representation in customary proceedings, court, administrative proceedings, or through Collaborative Dispute Resolution (CDR) methods e.g. negotiation on behalf of beneficiaries;
Provide beneficiaries with mobile counselling services (i.e. legal advice and referral) on RCD & HLP rights, procedural requirements, and how to exercise them;
Assess the need for provision of financial assistance to vulnerable IDPs to cover administrative or legal fees, or transportation allowance to attend administrative or court proceedings;
Assist with mobile group information sessions and radio shows, to raise awareness on RCD & HLP rights and procedures among beneficiaries;
Input and update beneficiary data into ICLA’s case management tools, and periodically disaggregate and analyze data gathered during legal assistance activities in order to identify trends;
Compile up-to-date information on relevant RCD & HLP laws, customary laws, and relevant procedures and practices;
Advocate for recognition of the RCD & HLP rights of displaced persons when engaging with stakeholders, including customary justice actors, building owners, local authorities and humanitarian partners;
Undertake regular monitoring & evaluation of ICLA activities, and contribute to monthly progress reports on activities, highlighting any technical or operational successes;
Adhere to ICLA policies, donor agreements, work plans, budgets and procurement plans;
Adhere to NRC’s Human Resource, Financial, Logistics & Security policies and procedures, and coordinate with these support departments to ensure timely implementation of ICLA activities;
Any other task relevant to the position as requested by the line manager.

Our Ideal Candidate

A University degree in law, and a license to practice law in Iraq
Minimum of 2 years’ experience with legal representation in civil law matters in Iraqi courts, including familiarity with RCD and/or HLP laws, procedures and practices operative in Iraq. Fluency in written and spoken Arabic; a working knowledge of English will be an advantage.