Legal Adviser

General Description:

Legal Adviser advises the delegation on international humanitarian law (IHL) and national and/or international legal matters and conducts relevant legal work in line with ICRC’s operational priorities in Lebanon. S/he initiates, formulates, and implements strategies to address identified issues and delegation objectives in the legal domain. S/he supervises and guides research on and analysis of specific legal matters and broader sectors of the national legal system.

Objectives and Tasks:

Objective 1 (50%):  Advises the delegation on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and other applicable national and/or international legal frameworks and takes the lead on networking with judiciary and legislative authorities and follows up on draft laws and treaties of relevance to ICRC's operational priorities and mandate.

• Analyses the situation, advises and provides guidance on the applicable national and international legal frameworks and norms in relation to delegation activities, objectives, strategies and plans of action to address identified legal and other related issues.
• Drafts legal notes/analyses and contributes with legal aspects to working papers, summary reports, 'non-papers' etc. related to delegation activities and objectives.
• Performs independent research on and analysis of specific legal issues, as well as broader sectors of the national legal system in support of various delegation programming.
• Supports IHL dissemination activities directed at specialized audiences and the public at large and supports the implementation of strategies, programmes and action plans related to IHL treaty participation, the development of relevant domestic legal and policy frameworks and mechanisms for their implementation.
• Provides legal advice and technical assistance to national authorities where relevant.
• Monitors developments in the national implementation of IHL and relevant international human rights law (IHRL) norms. Represents the delegation in meetings with external partners and contacts.
• Maintains relations with academic circles, supports the teaching of IHL and develops and maintains relations with influential players and a network of partners and contacts linked to legal questions and policy, as well as IHL promotion and implementation.
• Advises on socio-political and legal aspects of delegation strategy and operations.
• Supports protection objectives and activities (including in the fields of detention, missing persons, etc.).
• Coordinates and supervises external consultancies on legal issues. May supervise staff related to her/his function.
• Supports as relevant the implementation of other prevention or protection-related objectives of the delegation(s).

• Prepares, conducts, assesses and follows up dissemination activities with military or police forces on international humanitarian law (IHL), international human rights law (IHRL) and ICRC activities; this includes organizing and preparing dissemination materials and reporting.
• Supports the delegation in FAS-related matters, at their level of expertise when needed.

Objective 2 (50%): Supporting the protection department in all legal matters pertaining to Detention, Missing and Protection of Civilian Population Programs.

Detention

• Builds on the existing analysis of the causes of overcrowding in detention, with a particular focus on pre-trial delays and the judicial system
• Finalizes and proactively implements a concrete Plan of Action on priority issues agreed with the Detention team to be addressed primarily, but not exclusively, to the Minister of Justice
• Keeps abreast of initiatives by other authorities and other organizations on the issue of overcrowding in detention, to identify possible complementarity or partnerships, and avoid duplication
• Where appropriate, organizes and represents the ICRC in relevant external meetings and fora linked to overcrowding and access to justice issues
• Support the detention action on addressing overcrowding from a judicial perspective
• Keeps abreast of developments linked to oversight mechanisms and normative and proposes action points where appropriate
• In coordination with the protection team, oversee and guide consultants selected for detention-related legal studies
• Support the protection teams in analysis, dialogue, and formulation of recommendations to authorities and other interlocutors regarding respect of the principle of non-refoulement, including, but not limited to the Syria Returns file.

Missing

• Provides support to the design and implementation of the legal response to the needs of the Families of missing persons
• In coordination with the Protection team, support the analysis, dialogue, and advisory role of the delegation with regards to the operationalization of the recently established National Commission for the Missing
• In coordination with the protection team, oversee and guide consultants selected for legal support to the National commission (e.g support to drafting legal bylaws of the National Commission for the Missing) or legal studies (e.g legal study on data protection domestic legislation in Lebanon).
• In coordination with the protection team and the regional Data Protection Officer, support the efforts of the delegation in assessing and mitigating data protection risks for beneficiaries.

Protection of the Civilian Population (PCP)

• Punctually supports the PCP team in the analysis of protection issues and cases, in light of domestic legislation.
• In coordination with the protection team, oversees and guides consultants conducting PCP legal studies and gap analyses on PCP topics (e.g. protection of health care)

 General Duties:

• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct
• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
• Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times
• Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times
• Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers
• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC
• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary

Position Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

Years of experience required: 6-8 years of experience in a relevant field with demonstrated training experience.

Level of education: Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree is a plus.

Field of education: Law.

Languages: Fluency in Arabic and English, French is a plus.

Required Competencies:

• International humanitarian law expertise: Proficient.
• Analytical thinking: Proficient.
• Communication skills: Proficient.
• Strategic thinking: Proficient.
• Stakeholder management Skills: Proficient.
• Writing and reporting skills: Proficient.
• Motivation and ability to work under pressure: Proficient.
• Organized and methodical thinking: Proficient.
• Diplomatic skills: Proficient. 
• Leadership skills: Basic
• Planning and organizing; Proficient.
• Business intelligence and reporting: Proficient.
• People management: Basic.
• Representing the ICRC: Proficient.
• Knowledge of French: Is an Asset.

Job Details:

• Job Location: Beirut, Lebanon.
• Working Schedule: Monday till Friday, from 8 Am till 5 Pm.
• Contract Type: Determined Period, 1 Year (Renewable based on performance and need of position).
• Salary Package: 3477-5300 USD/Month (As per ICRC salary scale, salary setting processes will determine fair setting in coherence with the qualifications of the applicant and the requirements of the job).