Legal Officer (Tripoli)

General Description   International Relief and Development, Inc. (IRD) is an international charitable, non-for-profit, non-governmental organization that collaborates with local and international partners to design and implement humanitarian relief and development aid programs. IRD’s mission is to reduce the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable groups and provide tools and resources needed to increase their self-sufficiency. IRD was founded in 1998 and has grown over the past decade into an organization that is operating in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.   IRD has been present in Lebanon since 2006, and the first activities included assistance to poor rural households in southern Lebanon adversely affected by the July War. Today, IRD implements projects funded by BPRM and UNHCR bringing benefits to Syrian and Iraqi refugees, as well as Lebanese host communities. IRD has three offices in Lebanon: Beirut, Tripoli and Akkar.   In March 2013, IRD joined the UNHCR’s pool of Implementing Partners in Lebanon providing legal assistance and protection to Syrian refugees, as well as community support projects benefiting both Syrian refugees and Lebanese host communities. In 2015, IRD will continue to assist Syrian refugees by providing legal services and campaigning to raise awareness on legal issues and other common problems refugees face in North Lebanon within the Legal Assistance to Syrian Refugees in North Lebanon - LASYR project. In addition to the legal assistance, IRD also plans to conduct the activities within the Social Cohesion sector in Tripoli area as per the UNHCR’s further guidelines in the later stage of project implementation. In terms of geographic region, the project will focus on Tripoli or “T5” areas and Akkar areas.   Main Responsibilities:   Under the supervision of the Sr. legal officer and in coordination with the Program Manager, the legal officer will be responsible for fulfilling the legal activities for the project and updates on any legal trends that occurs and will deliver his/her job with the relevant IRD policies and procedures, donor’s requirements and the Project’s objectives and guidelines. The specific duties include:   Receive and assist all refugees coming into IRD offices. Establish a time frame for legal work. Coordinate legal work with the UNHCR and international NGO’s ( implementing partners) Have the ability to present the files with the GSO and track the refugee’s legal issues. Provide well-informed counseling and legal advice for the refugee’s legal issues. Preparation of awareness sessions. Make frequent visits to the refugee to tented settlements and collective shelters for assessments. Provide awareness sessions for other IP’s staff. Preparation of leaflets and posters. Provide regular reporting to the legal officer and the senior management team on all aspects. Attend regular meetings with UNHCR when needed. Provide legal representations when needed based on UNHCR request and approval. Other duties as assigned by  Sr. Legal officer/ Program manager   Qualifications   1.     University degree in law. 2.     Good computer skills 3.     Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic language skills. 4.     At least 2 years of prior professional experience. 5.     Knowledge of UNHCR, USAID, and other development agencies programs and regulations is an asset. 6.     The ability to work independently and as a member of a team. 7.     Strong understanding of International Human Rights, Refugee Law and Lebanese law with special focus on Family Law. 8.     Knowledge of the Lebanese judiciary system. 9.     Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment.  10.  Must be flexible, willing to work long hours and travel often.