Access to Justice Consultant - Akkar

Within the framework of this project, IRC will implement preventative, responsive, and remedial legal programming. IRC’s approach to legal programming is in-line with Sphere standards. Information dissemination and individualized legal counseling will build the knowledge of affected communities on their basic rights and will be mainstreamed across the project. IRC will ensure that persons of concerns PoC are afforded legal protection, as part of the comprehensive Access to Justice services provided. Access to civil status documentation ensures that displaced children and adults are recognized as persons before the law, consequently, the obtainment of legal residency will support PoC to access critical services to benefit from their essential rights in line with critical priorities set out under the Lebanon Crisis Response Plan (LCRP).

The IRC will build upon the demonstrated expertise in legal service provision to ensure that clients have access to legal protection in addition to Caregivers beneficiaries of Child Protection programing. A key focus will be placed on ensuring birth and marriage registration to provide stronger legal protections for the rights of women and their children. The IRC will provide direct legal assistance before relevant administrative bodies (including the Personal Status Department, Nofous and General Security Office), and coverage of fees for women to obtain the necessary documentation.

Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Manager and Legal Manager, the consultant will identify legal needs in the field, provide counseling and assistance including representation in relevant administrative bodies and/or courts to women and girls at risk / survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV), with a specific focus on Syrian refugees.

The consultant will be responsible for conducting legal information sessions and provide direct legal assistance to clients at various sites including the Women and Girls Safe Spaces (WGSS) and mobile safe spaces. In addition, the consultant will conduct field visits according to shared schedules to provide consistent follow-up with clients as needed and will work with community leaders to support advocacy at the community level and engage in mediation and negotiation as needed. The legal service provider should have previous experience working in women’s rights and/or gender.

Legal case management:

• Provide clients with legal counselling on issues including but not limited to legal residency and civil status documentation.
• Provide direct legal support to assist women and girls to access civil status documentation, including but not limited to marriage and birth registration.
• Assist women and girls at risk / survivors of GBV/SGBV on legal matters before administrative and judicial bodies, including religious and civil courts.
• Represent women and girls at risk / survivors of GBV in different courts,
• Mediation with private stakeholders and authorities, including and not limited to eviction cases.
• Conduct field visit to Informal Tented Settlements and residential areas to ensure adequate follow-up on cases.
• Manage the hotline while present in the office as per Sr Protection Manager request.

Legal information sessions:

• Ensure provision of the most updated legal information according to IRC’s guidance notes.
• Develop legal content for information sessions in coordination with the Legal manager.
• Conduct legal information sessions in coordination with the protection team / Legal team and WPE and in adherence with set targets.
• Conduct legal information sessions in coordination WPE team.

Reporting:

• Enter every case on the dedicated platform on a daily basis.
• Provide a progress report according to set templates to Sr Protection Manager and Legal Manager on a weekly basis.
• Analyze data and highlight trends, legal protection needs and changes in legal frameworks and practices in reports.
• Keep records of the urgent legal needs identified and the actions taken to assist persons of concern.

Representation & Advocacy:

• Work to strengthen IRC’s relationship with refugees, refugee/host community leaders and municipal actors in order to maintain good access to POCs.
• Support the Protection Team Leader to conduct advocacy on behalf of the community.
• Upon request Access to Justice Consultant can be asked to conduct other duties by supervisor according to changes in context.

• Consultant will be accountable to Legal Manager – North, Senior Protection Manager and Legal technical specialist.
• Close coordination with other colleagues within WPE and other programs, TU staff, and external counterparts.
• Close working relationship with IRC Lebanon field office.

• At least two years of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international organization.
• Good protection background and knowledge of refugee context.
• Member of Beirut or Tripoli Bar Association.

• Strong management and organizational skills.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines.
• Good 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.
• Must be computer literate (Microsoft Word and Excel).

Education: Law Degree from an accredited University. Master’s degree preferred.

Language Skills: High standard of spoken and written Arabic and English is required.

Certificates or Licenses: Registration with the Bar Association is to be maintained during contract period.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.