Protection Officer - Legal

Title: Protection Officer (Legal) x1

Location: Gambella

Reports to: Protection Manager

Employment Band: H2

Start of Contract & Duration: 1 March, 2024 -31 August 2024, with high possibility of extension

Salary Range: USD 540.00 656.00 per month which specific amount will be determined up on candidates experience and educational relevancy

Posting date: January 31, 2024

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental organization founded in 1956 that works in more than 35 countries throughout the world, including Ethiopia and Djibouti. DRC commenced work in Ethiopia in 2009 and currently provides assistance in shelter, WASH, livelihoods and protection in the Gambella, Tigray and Somali regions of the country as well as in Djibouti. The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Protection Officer (Legal), under the direct supervision of Protection Team Leader (Social Cohesion/Legal) in Gambella, is primarily responsible for providing legal counseling/advice to the project beneficiaries and targeted communities, case management and referrals, follow-up, necessary support to partner organization, liaising with government and other key stakeholders and arranging trainings. S/he will collaborate with the Protection team leader to ensure effective, relevant and holistic protection programming delivering activities in line with protection standards.

Responsibilities and tasks

• Provide legal counseling/advice to the project beneficiaries and targeted communities in Gambella DRC project areas (refugee camps and host community kebeles);
• Provide support in conducting legal information awareness raising sessions in the targeted communities;
• Engage the men and women of the community in discussions around womens rights and gender issues;
• Ensure case-intake of legal counseling sessions, keep all the case in-take records locked and confidential;
• Provide referrals of legal and human rights violation cases to DRC general protection team (for case management and individual protection assistance) and other appropriate organizations for further legal and technical assistance;
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of the referred cases and follow-up of the cases;
• Draft reports concerning legal problems and issues related to family, inheritance, property and EVAW laws and documentation recovery, and efforts to mitigate them;
• Draft reports concerning human rights violations and issues related to protection and efforts to mitigate or eliminate them;
• Identify problems with access to justice and provide recommendation to mitigate them;
• Support protection related advocacy initiatives;
• Provide support in needs assessment surveys for future protection programming;
• Submit weekly progress reports of the activities to line manager;
• Perform other relevant duties, as needed or requested.

Others

• Other relevant duties as directed by the line manager.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• Minimum 3 years of experience in an entry to mid-level position, preferably in the field of humanitarian response and refugee protection working for an international NGO, UN agency or relevant ministry or local authority.
• Experience in refugee protection
• Demonstrated experience in providing legal counseling to clients.
• Experience with informal justice systems is an asset.
• Knowledge of and experience working with Refugees/IDPs in Gambella.
• Strong knowledge of and experience in counseling on issues related to civil documentation, family law, housing/land/property rights, GBV.
• An understanding of the basic principles of humanitarian work, human rights, protection, and the needs of internally displaced persons, refugees and host communities in Gambella, Ethiopia.
• Interest in humanitarian work and human rights, ability and willingness to learn.
• Ability to clearly express ones thoughts, to analyze and present information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to set priorities and show initiative, to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office package
• A sensitive approach to external representation

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRCs core competencies:

• Striving for excellence:Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating:Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Acting in line with DRC's vision and values

Education:

University degree in Law from a recognized institution and a valid license to practice law.

Languages:

Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English and Amharic. Knowledge of local language is an asset.