Legal Team Leader

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.theIRC.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 25 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and life saving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.  The IRC has been working in Lebanon since 2012 to provide support to refugees and vulnerable host community members in the areas of women’s protection, children’s protection and cash assistance. The IRC is implementing protection programming in North Bekaa during 2015, incorporating protection monitoring and information dissemination, as well as legal service provision and case management for high risk protection cases in Arsal.  The program seeks to promote a protective environment for adults and children, especially those identified through monitoring to be most at-risk of rights violations and problems in accessing services, through protection reporting, referral of protection concerns faced by vulnerable groups and individuals, and direct service provision. Job Overview/Summary: The Legal Team Leader will be responsible for local-level support and leadership of the legal services component of the Mount Lebanon protection programming.  This will include weekly scheduling of tasks, day-to-day follow up with the Legal Officers in collaboration with the Legal Manager and identification of relevant legal trends and issues of concern.  The Legal Team Leader will also play a key contributing role in the development of internal and external trainings and advocacy activities related to the legal component of the protection programming.  The Legal Team Leader will report to the Legal Manager.    Major Responsibilities: Major responsibilities of the Legal Team Leader (not exhaustive) are listed below: Provide direct supervision and support to the mobile legal teams, including: Support to scheduling of, and participation in, legal  field missions; Regular review of data collected by the teams, and reporting systems; Development of individual work plans, ensuring best practice standards are met as well as the development of professional development plans for staff; Regular review and follow up of case referrals and other associated action points for legal cases; and, Support mobile teams’ field access by meeting with relevant stakeholders and local authorities as required (in collaboration with the Protection Team Leader and the Security Focal Point). Monitor and report on legal trends from the field on a regular basis. Develop and deliver internal and external trainings for both IRC staff and other stakeholders on legal issues.  Support the Legal Manager in the development of advocacy positions on legal issues, to be shared with the National Legal Partners Coordination Group. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other INGO, UNHCR, government authorities, and other key stakeholders to ensure active coordination, collaboration, and information dissemination. Undertake other tasks as requested by the Legal Manager. Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to:  Legal Manager Position directly supervises:  3 Legal Officers Indirect Reporting:  NA Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: Protection Team Leader (North Bekaa), Legal Team Leader (Mount Lebanon) Security Focal Point (Bekaa) External: UNHCR Protection Focal Point Job Requirements: Work Experience: At least two years of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international organization. Experience providing legal counseling and assistance on issues including HLP, employment law, civil status and criminal issues, is strongly preferred. Experience interacting with judicial, security and administrative authorities, is strongly preferred. Good protection background and knowledge of refugee context, as well as demonstrated ability to identify and refer vulnerable cases. Experience working with beneficiaries. Strong experience managing a diverse team. Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Strong management and organizational skills. Good interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently. Proactive, flexible, team spirited and willing to learn. Good computer skills including MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Ability to interpret, analyze and synthesize information in a fast-paced environment. Excellent knowledge of the Lebanese legal system, its stakeholders and processes is strongly preferred. Excellent organizational skills, timeliness, ability to determine priorities and great attention to detail Language Skills:  Excellent drafting and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic; Working Environment:  Located in Zahle, the working environment will be a combination of office-based (60%) and field-based (40%).  It will also involve travel to locations throughout North Bekaa, to the extent possible in light of security SOPs