Senior Lawyer

 

The Norwegian Refugee Council is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced persons. We advocate for their rights and assist with shelter, education, food distribution, and counselling on repatriation


The Norwegian Refugee Council seeks:

Senior Lawyer
Gaza

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) re-established its presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt) 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 is concentrating on providing legal assistance, particularly related to housing, land and property issues, for those displaced or facing displacement in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.  In late 2009, the NRC commenced a legal assistance programme in Gaza and established a legal aid center staffed by qualified lawyers who provide free legal assistance.

The ICLA programme requires a Senior Lawyer to play a lead role in the development and operation of the Gaza ICLA programme, including the Legal Aid Center. The Senior Lawyer will report directly to the Project Co-ordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES

-Provide high quality legal advice and analysis of the Gazan legal system and in particular, on rights to housing, land and property, freedom of movement and legal identity;
-Assist the Project Co-ordinator in developing a legal strategy for providing legal assistance for Gazans in line with research conducted, NRC core policy objectives and related NRC West Bank activities;                                                         
-Support Legal Aid Center legal staff to provide high quality legal advice and assistance, including identifying training needs of legal staff and organising trainings as required;
-Identify capacity building needs of local legal professionals and legal aid NGOs  and assist in developing and implementing a training plan with a focus on domestic and international law issues related to housing, land and property, legal skills and alternative dispute resolution;
-Identify areas where NRC can improve the running of the Center and improve the provision of legal aid assistance;
-Identify, and assist in conducting, awareness-raising and outreach opportunities for ICLA work;
-Identify areas where NRC can assist in increasing access to justice, particularly for vulnerable groups including women and children;
-Prepare monthly reports for  the Project Co-ordinator and donors as required;
-Represent NRC in official meetings in order to build and maintain positive and supportive relations with other like-minded national and international organizations;
-Maintain excellent working relations with implementing partners, INGOs, NGOs and  UN agencies;
-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

-Senior  lawyer with minimum of 7 years experience practising law;
-Expertise  in housing, land and property law issues desirable;
-Management experience desirable;
-Experience in organising and conducting 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;
-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 organizational values: Dedicated, innovative, inclusive and accountable.

Commencement:As soon as possible
Contract period:6 months, with possible extension
Salary/benefits:According to NRC’s general directions pay commessurate with experience and benefits provided.


Cover letter and curriculum vitae 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:  25 July 2010

The Norwegian Refugee Council has 2000 committed and competent employees involved in projects on four continents, to give refugees and internally displaced persons a better life and future. In addition we have one of the world’s largest standby forces with 600 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when crisis occur.