Protection Officer - Legal Assistance

INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian aid organisation that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organisations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognised by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralised offices.

Job Purpose:

The Protection Officer - Legal Assistance is responsible for supervising the Legal Consultants (Lawyers) and assistant in providing legal information, and counseling to vulnerable persons, in accordance with INTERSOS’ mandate, priorities and donor agreements. The Protection Officer - Legal Assistance  directly reports to the INTERSOS Project Protection Manager.

Main legal issues to be covered:

• Family Law
• Legal identity including obtaining civil documentation necessary to access rights and services (birth registration, marriage registration)
• Citizenship and statelessness issues related to displacement

Exceptionally, the team may engage in other thematic areas based on needs and external requests.

Generic Duties:

Main responsibilities

In his/her function of Protection Officer for Legal Assistance of UNHCR-ML project, he/she will be responsible to:

• Prepare, manage and regularly update the legal component’s work plan and related financial plan in close link with the Project Protection Manager and Administration, ensuring timely and quality implementation in compliance with the sector strategy as well as INTERSOS and donor guidelines;
• Undertake technical assessment of Protection needs and gaps for anticipating potential changes on protection strategies and implementation;
• Coordinate with logistics, administration and finance staff for funding and support of legal activities;
• Undertake regular monthly field visits to provide technical guidance and supervision as well as regularly monitoring the progress of Legal Protection activities;
• Periodically update the Legal Protection situation analysis and informing relevant colleagues accordingly;
• Set-up a capacity building Programme, with clear timeline, steps to be undertaken and goals to be reached to capacitate legal staff.

Specific Duties:

• Support from a technical point of view Lawyers and Legal Assistant in the implementation of all legal related activities run under UNHCR project;
• Monitor the quality of the implementation of legal activities providing feedback to Protection Managers;
• Conducting frequent field visits to monitor and evaluate activities implementation;
• Report weekly, monthly and quarterly the progress on targets, constraints and lessons learnt to the protection manager
• Promote the organization of ad hoc trainings provided by internal staff and/or external stakeholders;
• Support and provide input when requested by the Protection Manager and Project manager on project proposals and share new ideas for legal activities with the Protection manager
• Summited monthly the Risk Analysis to Protection Manager for clearance.
• After approbation of Protection Manger summit to Project Manager the Purchase Requests in order to receive the Liquidity from the administration.

• Organize regular meetings with Lawyers and Legal assistant as we as with CSMC officer, OVs officer, CM officer for:

1. coordinating activities in the field;
2. sharing information acquired in the field
3. discussing about new protection trends/gaps/challenges/needs and possible adaptation of the program;
4. Discussing about new ideas for new activities for legal projects.

• Take part in protection working group, wherever necessary with protection manager, as per project and INTERSOS guidance;

• Participate in the recruitment of projects staff and provide objective feedback with regards to staff performance (evaluate performance and delivery against job descriptions), expectations and areas for growth and professional development.
• Ensure the team in the respective area is working effectively together, mitigate in case of tensions and conflict and report immediately on HR related issues.
• Checked periodically the performance of legal staff and take disciplinary action if needed.

Competencies:  (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Professional Competencies:

• 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in humanitarian Work (working on refugee related legal problems)
• Prior experience in working with governmental authorities is a plus;
• Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards;
• Knowledge on how to communicate with vulnerable population groups, such as women, children, youth, elderly, disable and refugees
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of local communities and customary rules;
• Excellent analysis and reporting skills;
• MS proficiency (OS Windows/Linux, MS Office, Internet etc.);
• Driving License

Behavioral competencies:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizing skills.
• Driving and achieving results.
• Punctuality and respect for applicable rules and procedures.
• Strongly objective and impartial reasoning.
• Cultural awareness.
• Ethical and transparent decision-making.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Independence, i.e. conducting tasks with minimal supervision, and ability to work under pressure.
• Team work.
• Developing and motivating others.