Requisition ID: req20317

Job Title: Legal Officer

Sector: Protection and rule of law

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Kampala, Uganda

Job Description

 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict, and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.
 
The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, and various institutions in the country, notably the government, community-based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations (CBOs), and the private sector. The current program portfolio in Uganda includes health and nutrition, Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) support to persons with specific needs (PSNs) including case management, legal assistance to refugees, Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE) prevention, and response to gender-based violence, and economic recovery and development (ERD). The IRC has a country office in Kampala and field offices in Imvepi, Kyaka II, Lamwo, Moroto, Kiryandongo and Yumbe, as well as an urban office in Nsambya within Kampala.
 
Job Overview:
Under the supervision of the Senior Protection Officer, She/he will identify legal issues and provide legal counseling and case management for individuals in the community and in detention facilities. They will facilitate referrals for legal representation to bona fide legal practices that offer pro bono services. Working with community structures, detention facilities, the Police, and other stakeholders in the urban environment will organize legal information sessions in various environments to respond to the needs and concerns of refugees in the urban context.  She/he will be part of an integrated protection team and work in a consortium with other actors. 
 
Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Work with Community based-Volunteers, Community leaders, the Police, and other stakeholders in the legal sphere to identify issues impacting urban refugees needing legal interventions.
  • Undertake regular monitoring and visits of detention and prison facilities.
  • Provide legal counseling and case management support to refugees and other vulnerable individuals.
  • Conduct legal information sessions on human rights and key laws relating to the protection of refugees and other affected persons.
  • Facilitate referrals for legal representation from pro bono agencies.
  • Closely work with Police to provide necessary assistance to survivors and witnesses.
  • Submit daily and weekly data\reports, including a narrative of high-risk cases to inform appropriate actions.
  • Participate in legal training as directed by the Senior Legal Officer.
  • Conduct legal information sessions on rights and obligations of refugees, key offenses and punishments in Uganda, International human rights laws relating to refugees and other persons of concern.
  • Analyze data, highlight trends and legal protection needs of refugees and other persons of concern.
  • Support training of state and non-state actors on national and international legal frameworks to targeted audiences.
  • Undertake other administrative duties as directed by the Senior Protection Officer required for the functioning of programme and implementation that are consistent with the role of Legal Officer.

 

Qualifications

 

  • A Bachelors Degree in Law from a recognized institution.
  • At least two (2) years of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international
  • Organization.
  • Strong understanding of human rights including gender equality.
  • Strong communication skills including the ability to gain trust and build relationships with new communities. 
  • Good understanding of International Human Rights, Refugee Law, Ugandan national laws, and policies relating to refugees.
  • Experience in report writing.
  • Experience in forming community-based child protection structures
  • Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively independently with team members and independently to achieve results.
  • Proficient computer knowledge and experience in Ms. Word, Ms. Excel, Ms. Applications, and Outlook. 
 
Key Working Relationships:
Position Reports to Senior Protection Officer
Position Indirectly Reports to Urban Programme Manager
Position directly supervises: Community based Volunteers
 
Please note: The deadline for receiving applications is October 8th, 2021.
 
The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.
 
All staff, regardless of role, are required to create a culture of client responsiveness by requesting and using client feedback data to make decisions. In addition, all staff is expected to demonstrate inclusiveness when making programmatic decisions and working with clients, partners, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. You can read more about the IRC’s commitment to client responsiveness here: https://www.rescue.org/resource/client-responsiveness-introduction-and-faq
 
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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