Legal Counselor

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and is at work in over 40 countries.  In response to the influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the IRC provides income and livelihoods support to vulnerable Syrian refugees and host communities, through its Economic Recovery and Development Program. The objective of the program is to assist vulnerable households in the most affected areas of the Akkar and Mount Lebanon in meeting their essential needs and increasing their self-reliance; this is expected to ultimately lessen the use of negative coping strategies for survival. Interventions include unconditional cash assistance, financial management training, cash for work, access to training and business development opportunities, legal and job counseling, and job referrals through a livelihoods center. Additional market assessments and other research are conducted under this program. The main target groups are acutely vulnerable registered and unregistered Syrian refugees and Lebanese households. The ERD program will develop synergies with the other programs implemented by the IRC in Lebanon, particularly working closely with the Protection sector to mainstream protection principles into livelihoods approaches and expand program offerings.  The ERD program will also seek synergies with the Women’s Protection and Empowerment and Children Protection sectors. Job Overview/Summary: Under the technical supervision of the Legal Manager, and the day-to-day management of the Senior Job and Legal Counselor, the Legal Officer will receive self-identified cases and cases referred by other Livelihoods Center staff.  The Legal Officer will identify legal needs, and provide counseling and assistance with relevant administrative procedures. The Legal Officer will refer cases requiring representation in courts to other specialized service providers.  The Legal Officer will be responsible for conducting legal information sessions on protection, rights and entitlements, legal status, statelessness and other issues, as dictated by the needs of Livelihoods Center beneficiaries.  As part of the structure of the Livelihoods Center, the Legal Officer will be focused on a particular pool of beneficiaries from the surrounding catchment area, enabling him/her to conduct consistent follow-up with beneficiaries, as needed. The Legal Officer provide input for advocacy initiatives as required, and will engage in mediation and negotiation, as needed (especially with regard to employment related disputes, but also housing, land and property matters and ID confiscation). Major Responsibilities: Identify legal needs and provide on-site counseling to Livelihoods Center beneficiaries; Under the guidance of their technical supervisor, 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 pertaining to work, legal status and employer sponsorship, and other issues as dictated by the needs at field-level; Engage in mediation and negotiation as needed (e.g. in employment related disputes); Analyze data and highlight trends and legal protection needs; Produce weekly reports on activities based on IRC tools; Provide input for advocacy initiatives, as requred; and, Conducts other duties as assigned by supervisor. 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 affected PoCs; Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to:  Senior Job and Legal Counselor with dotted line to Legal Manager. Job Requirements 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 and Lebanese law with special focus on Family Law; Familiarity with the Lebanese 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 Arabic and basic English required. Working Environment:   Travel and other requirements: Standard office environment with limited travel in the vicinity of the Livelihoods Center, or to IRC Offices in Qobayat, T5 and Beirut