Legal Advisor

 

Background
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) re-established its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt) in January 2009 and is mainly developing programme activities in the sectors of shelter and the provision of information, counselling and legal assistance (ICLA). The long term objective of the programme is to contribute to improved protection and living conditions for refugees and internally displaced persons in the oPt.
The ICLA programme requires a Legal Advisor (with a legal qualification) who will manage a satellite ICLA office in Hebron, under the supervision of the Project Manager in Ramallah.

Overall responsibility:
The Legal Advisor is primarily responsible for overseeing, amongst other things, day-to-day running of the Hebron office, managing a contract with a local NGO, day-to-day legal casework and capacity building activities of the ICLA Programme, creating a network of contacts for the ICLA Programme in Hebron and will assist in exchanging information, keeping up with potential and actual ICLA cases, training and following-up with NRC’s work with local NGOs and other partners.

Main Duties:
-Manage the day-to-day running of the ICLA Programme satellite office in Hebron, including financial and office administration.
-Produce research on the housing, land and property legal issues in Hebron Old City and Hebron Governorate.
-Create a network of contacts in Hebron, including with relevant UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs and local communities and maintain good relations and attend all relevant meetings.
-Coordinate with the ICLA Programme in all oPt, providing regular updates on the progress of the Hebron Office to ICLA Programme.
-Provide sound legal advice (including legal counselling as required) and analysis on the Israeli/Palestinian legal system and in particular, provide advice on rights to housing, land, property legal matters.
-Regularly meet with implementing partners to discuss case progress, case database and ensure regular updates are understood and recorded.
-Ensure that implementing partners are communicating with clients at all times and explaining legal options available for each case.
-Attend court hearings, as required, and provide comprehensive updates.
-Assist in identifying cases of strategic importance in Hebron and methods to approach cases and identify areas where further legal assistance may be required.
-Identify training needs of NGOs and other relevant actors engaged in legal assistance in Hebron.
-Organise trainings and workshops.
-Identify, and assist in conducting, awareness-raising and outreach opportunities for ICLA work.
-Identify areas where NRC can assist in increasing access to justice.
-Organise and attend field visits on regular basis.
-Conduct legal research as required.
-Carry out other relevant duties as requested by supervisor.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
-Qualified Lawyer with minimum 5 years experience, preferably housing, land and property issues.
-Experience in managing an office.
-Experience keeping and updating case files/case database comprehensively.
-Experience in dealing with clients and explaining legal options.
-Experience with legal trainings.
-Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision.
-Strong organisational and logistical skills.
-Excellent command of English and Arabic both written and orally. Command of Hebrew is an advantage.
-Experience of working with IDPs/Refugees is an advantage.
-Experience of working with non-governmental organizations is an advantage.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
-Flexible and creative
-Goal oriented and visionary
-Good team working skills
-Able to work with people of diverse background
-Pleasant personality and good communication skills

All employees of the Norwegian Refugee Council should be able to adhere to our Codes of Conduct and the four organizational values: Dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable.

Commencement:As soon as possible
Contract period:One Year, with possible extension
Duty Station:Hebron
Salary/benefits:According to NRC’s  Salary Scale and TOE.

Covering letters and CVs in English to be submitted by email to [email protected]. 
Please ensure that you state the title of the post that you are applying for. Closing date: 10/10/2011