Legal Field Officer

BACKGROUND: NRC has been present in Lebanon since 2006 initially assisting Lebanese displaced persons and later Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees.  NRC has been providing Education, Shelter and Improved Services Provision (an adaptation of Camp Management) activities.  Since March 2012, NRC has also been conducting its Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) activities, initially with Palestinian refugees and, more recently, with Syrian refugees.  After conducting a number of reports and assessments, NRC identified that there was a limited response to the lack of rights faced by refugees in Lebanon.  Consequently, NRC determined the need for the ICLA project in Lebanon, which will work closely with the other NRC Lebanon projects and activities in order to build on existing relationships develop joint activities and benefit from the comprehensive understanding of the context.  Currently, the main areas of focus for ICLA work include (1) providing a legal response to address the lack of housing, land and property (HLP) rights for Palestinian refugees; and (2) providing assistance in access to rights for refugees fleeing from Syria.  JOB PURPOSE: The Legal Field Officer will assist with the legal component of the ICLA programme, including for the Syrian response and will participate in legal and protection assessments and analysis regarding the situation for refugees in Lebanon. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: General Understand broad and specific legal concepts, law and practices regarding the Lebanese legal system and, in particular, regarding rights to housing, land and property, civil documentation and legal identity. Understand the situation, including the legal situation (according to national and international laws and principles), for refugees and internally displaced persons in Lebanon. Conduct information and counselling (legal and non-legal) sessions for beneficiaries. Carry out administrative and financial tasks as agreed upon. Perform any other task as assigned by supervisor. Reporting Report weekly and monthly (or more often, if required) on activities and results to the relevant NRC staff. Assist in preparation and regular updating of NRC database(s), particularly for ICLA legal work and cases. Document findings of needs assessments; including preparation of reports and other relevant documents. Assist with maintaining archiving system up to date (both in hardcopies and electronically). Assist in designing the needed forms, questionnaires and other templates. Assist in use of ICLA template documentation for legal assistance by all ICLA in Lebanon. Assist in preparation of documents; including case studies, statistics and reports on topics agreed with supervisor. Prepare regular written updates of work conducted and scheduled work. ICLA activities Work with Legal Advisor and ICLA lawyers to support and develop legal component of ICLA. Support NRC Legal Aid Network (LAN), including through regular assistance and support to LAN participants (including jurists, lawyers, law students, legal aid organisations and paralegals). Assist in conducting needs assessments for the selected target groups; including focus groups; questionnaires; surveys; and stakeholder interviews. Assist in conducting legal and protection assessments as part of the ICLA programme, especially for refugees from Syria, in order to understand the protection context more fully and base this understanding on the collection of evidence and data from ICLA fieldwork. Document findings of needs assessments; including preparation of reports and other relevant documents. Assist in preparing mapping (including written version) of relevant legal and related services being provided by other actors. Assist in conducting information and counselling sessions for beneficiaries. Identify awareness-raising and outreach opportunities for ICLA work and assist in conducting sessions. Identify training needs for beneficiaries and stakeholders and, as relevant, prepare and conduct training. Conduct field visits as required, including frequent trips (with possible overnight stays) in all NRC project areas. Assist in conducting research as required. Coordination Participate in regular meetings with ICLA team and other NRC core competencies. Contribute to the development of referral mechanisms for legal matters. Establish excellent relations with beneficiaries, including understanding the needs of beneficiaries through regular visits and frequent contact with actual and potential beneficiaries. Assist in providing information to and cooperation with community representatives and relevant authorities. Regularly meet with other relevant actors and stakeholders and coordinate work, including attending meetings. Maintain excellent working relations with all partners; beneficiaries and other relevant stakeholders. Attend and participate on behalf of NRC relevant coordination meetings. Skills and Qualifications Required University degree in law (preferably at master’s level) with minimum 2 years’ legal work experience.  Preferably qualified lawyer in Lebanon with experience of legal practice. Experience of keeping and updating information. Excellent research and writing (in English) skills. Experience of working with beneficiaries and being able to establish and maintain excellent working relations. Excellent communication skills command of English and Arabic both written and orally. Strong organisational and logistical skills. Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision Experience of working with IDPs/Refugees is an advantage. Experience of working with non-governmental organisations is an advantage. Additional Qualities a Successful Candidate Should Possess Team spirit Flexibility Strong communication (fluency in Arabic and English) and organisational skills.  Strong Computer Skills (Word, Excel, Powerpoint). All employees of the Norwegian Refugee Council should be able to adhere to our Codes of Conduct and the four organisational values: Dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable.