Legal Assistant

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been operational in Syria since 2012, focusing on providing essential services such as protection, health, economic recovery, and early childhood development programs. The organization has a significant presence in various regions including Idleb, Aleppo, Ar-Raqqa, Hassakeh, and Deir ez-Zor, with ongoing efforts to expand into Hama, rural Damascus, and Homs. With a dedicated team of over 700 employees, the IRC has built strong community relationships and trust, which are crucial for effective service delivery. The IRC plays a pivotal role in Syria's NGO landscape, actively participating in donor and coordination forums, and adapting its strategies to meet the evolving needs of the population. As of December 2024, the IRC has initiated operations in Damascus to engage with newly accessible areas across Syria, including parts of Northeast Syria (NES), Northwest Syria (NWS), and other previously unreachable locations in South and Central Syria.

Job Overview:
The Legal Assistant position is primarily based in Al-Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, focusing on the implementation of Protection Rule of Law (PRoL) programs in Northeast Syria. The IRC is expanding its PRoL portfolio in the region, which now includes legal assistance activities. The Legal Assistant will be instrumental in supporting and enhancing the legal component of IRC’s protection programming. This role involves directly assisting vulnerable refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and host community members in accessing their legal rights through various means such as awareness sessions, individual counseling, and legal assistance. Additionally, the Legal Assistant will contribute to protection monitoring activities and facilitate referrals to specialized services as necessary. Reporting to the IP Prevention Officer, the Legal Assistant will play a crucial role in ensuring that legal support is effectively delivered to those in need.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Assistant will be responsible for implementing legal support in IRC operational areas, which includes: providing mobile legal assistance and counseling to vulnerable beneficiaries who cannot independently access their rights, particularly those associated with Women and Girls Safe Spaces, Child Protection, and Health programs; conducting mobile field visits within communities and camps as per monthly work plans; carrying out protection monitoring activities through household-level assessments, key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and direct observation to identify protection risks, trends, and needs; facilitating referrals to specialized services based on identified needs, ensuring safe, timely, and confidential referral pathways; inputting and updating beneficiary data into legal case management tools, and periodically analyzing data gathered during legal assistance and protection monitoring activities; mapping existing legal services and administrative bodies in the area and regularly updating this mapping to support referrals and service provision; researching and updating regulations, laws, and legal articles to assist with the preparation of reports, case files, and legal advice, particularly concerning civil documentation and Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) laws; maintaining regular communication with clients to keep them informed of case progress and ensuring follow-up on legal and protection-related issues; developing and maintaining effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders including other NGOs, civil society groups, authorities, and UN agencies; and continuously updating a service mapping system detailing available services and assistance in IRC areas of operation. The Legal Assistant may also be assigned other relevant duties by the supervisor to support program implementation, and all IRC staff are required to adhere to The IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an educational background in Law, holding either a bachelor's or master's degree. Additionally, applicants should be qualified lawyers with at least two years of experience in a similar field. A solid understanding of international human rights and local laws is essential. Personal qualities sought include being a team player, flexible, a network-builder, and capable of handling pressure effectively. Fluency in Arabic is required, while proficiency in English is preferred. Candidates with at least one year of experience in an NGO setting and good computer skills, including proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, are highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires an educational background in Law, with candidates expected to hold either a bachelor's or master's degree in this field. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the legal frameworks and principles that will be applied in the role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of two years of experience in a legal capacity, particularly in contexts related to human rights and protection. Experience working in an NGO environment is also beneficial, with at least one year of such experience being preferred. This level of experience is necessary to ensure that the Legal Assistant can effectively navigate the complexities of legal assistance in a challenging environment.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory for this position, as it is essential for communicating with beneficiaries and stakeholders in the region. Proficiency in English is preferred, as it may be necessary for reporting and coordination with international partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and involves working in a challenging and dynamic environment. The IRC is committed to recruiting both nationally and internationally, ensuring that the best candidates are selected for the role. Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process, and candidates should be prepared for the demands of working in a humanitarian context.