Legal Assistant at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Location: Gwoza, Borno

Scope of Work
The IRC is implementing a protection program featuring strengthening of community based protection structures, capacity building, protection monitoring, information dissemination and referral services. The IRC will also building capacity of government authorities, local organizations and local communities around protection mainstreaming and protection monitoring. The IRC will also include legal assistance and counselling services. The protection program is currently implemented in the NE states of Adamawa and Borno.

Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, the Legal Assistant will identify legal needs in the field, provide counseling and assistance including representation in relevant administrative bodies. The Legal Assistant will conduct direct case intake on site and will also receive referrals from other actors, including such as other IRC sectors. The Legal Assistant will refer cases requiring representation in courts to other specialized service providers.

The Legal Assistant will be responsible for conducting legal information sessions on protection, rights and entitlements, legal status, and other issues, as dictated by the needs at field level. The Legal Assistant will also ensure consistent follow-up with beneficiaries. The Legal Assistant 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).

Responsibilities

• Conduct mobile field visits to target communities to meet with persons of concern within the community according to the weekly work plan.
• Identify legal needs in the local communities and provide on-site counseling to Persons of Concern (PoCs).
• Under the guidance of the senior protection Assistant, assist PoCs by representing them in relevant administrative bodies and when necessary refer cases requiring representation in court to other specialized services.
• Conduct case intake including overseeing and managing of all legal cases and regularly review and follow up cases referral and other associated legal issues.
• Deliver information sessions on protection, rights and entitlements and other legal issues as dictated by legal status and by the needs at field-level.
• Develop and deliver internal and external training for IRC staff, community members and other stakeholders on human rights and legal issues.
• Facilitate one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with returnees, host community members, state actors and service providers in the field on selected protection and legal concerns;
• Engage in mediation and negotiation as needed (e.g. on housing, land and property issues);
• Analyze legal data and highlight trends and legal protection needs of target beneficiaries.
• Keep records of the urgent legal needs identified and the actions taken to assist affected PoCs.
• Establish and strengthen relationship with IDPs, returnees and host community leaders, other INGOs, Government officials and key stakeholders to ensure activities for coordination.
• Support the Protection Manager and Coordinator in the development of advocacy messages on legal issues.
• Conduct stakeholders’ mapping in area of operation in order to identify those offering specialized services.
• Produce weekly and monthly legal activity reports and attend regular IRC Protection sector meetings.
• Provide direct supervision and support to Protection Action Group (PAG) members
• Conducts other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Requirements

• University Degree in Law.
• At least 1 year of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international organization.
• Strong communication skills including ability to gain trust and build relationships with new communities.
• Experience in providing legal counselling and assistance
• Strong understanding of International Human Rights and Nigerian law
• Familiarity with and have an understanding of the Nigerian legal community;
• 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.
• Good cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player.
• Ability to live and productively work under stress and in insecure and harsh environments while
• Knowledge of the local language will be an added value
• Computer skills require (word and excel).

Work Envirnoment:

• Security level orange. The situation in Gwoza, Borno remains unpredictable; there is active conflict in many parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states.

Benefits

• Competitive Monthly salary,
• 13th Month Salary Inclusive,
• Health Insurance Coverage for Family, Pension, Creche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.