Legal Advisor

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) re-established its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories in January 2009 and is 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 on provides legal assistance, particularly related to housing, land and property issues for those displaced or facing displacement in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. The programme is administered from a country office in East Jerusalem. A sub office will be established in Ramallah in early 2010.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
-Provide good quality legal advice and analysis on the Israeli and Palestinian legal systems and in particular, on rights to housing, land and property and legal identity;
-Regularly meet with implementing partners to oversee activities and discuss case progress, update case database, assist in identifying cases of strategic importance and ensure coordination;
-Identify training needs of NGOs engaged in legal assistance and organization trainings as required;
-Assist NRC in development of its legal strategy;
-Identify areas where NRC can assist to increase access to justice for internally displaced persons, particularly for vulnerable groups including women and children;
-Maintain good working relations with implementing partners, INGOs, NGOs and UN agencies and attend meetings as required;;
-Undertake regular field visits in the West Bank
-Undertake regular reporting and conduct legal research as required by supervisor;
-Carry out other relevant duties as requested by supervisor.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED :

-Qualified Lawyer with a minimum of 5 years experience on housing, land and property legal issues;
-Experienced in organising or conducting legal trainings;
-Ability to work under pressure, independently and with limited supervision;
-Strong organizational and interpersonal skills;
-Excellent command of English, Arabic and Hebrew both written and orally
-Experience of working with NGOs, IDPs/Refugees is an advantage.

Commencement: As soon as possible
Contract period: 6 months, with possible extension
Applications and CV in English are 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: 24 December 2009