Legal Officer

 One position In East Jerusalem

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 number of Legal Advisors (with Israeli Bar qualification) who will assist the legal team in day-to-day ICLA project activities, under the supervision of the Project Manager.

Overall responsibility:
The Legal Advisor is primarily responsible for overseeing, amongst other things, day-to-day legal casework and capacity building activities of the ICLA Programme in the occupied Palestinian territory (including East Jerusalem) 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.  The Advisor will be based in the Jerusalem office but required to participate in field work within the West Bank.

-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 and private lawyers to discuss case progress, case database and ensure regular updates are understood and recorded.
-Ensure that implementing partners and private lawyers 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 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.
-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.
-Maintain good working relations with implementing partners, INGOs, NGOs and  UN agencies;
-Conduct legal research as required.
-Carry out other relevant duties as requested by supervisor.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
-Qualified Lawyer with minimum 2 years experience practising Israeli law, preferably housing, land and property issues.
-Israeli Bar qualification.
-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, Arabic and Hebrew both written and orally.
-Experience of working with IDPs/Refugees is an advantage.
-Experience of working with non-governmental organizations is an advantage.

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.
Commencement:As Soon As Possible
Contract period:open ended contract
Salary/benefits:According to NRC’s  Salary Scale and Terms of Employment

CVs, cover letters are to be submitted by email to [email protected]. Please ensure that you state the title of the post that you are applying for in the subject line of the email. Only successful Candidates will be contacted for the interview.