ICLA Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization established in 1946, dedicated to helping people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and crises. With a presence in around 31 countries and a workforce of approximately 14,000 staff, NRC operates with a rights-based approach, advocating for the rights of displaced individuals as outlined in national and international laws. The organization emphasizes the importance of securing local stakeholder acceptance for its activities and adheres to the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality. NRC is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, fostering a supportive culture that encourages professional growth and innovation among its teams. The organization also prioritizes safeguarding, ensuring a safe environment for all individuals involved in its operations.

Job Overview:
The ICLA Officer plays a crucial role in the implementation of project plans, policies, and solutions within the Norwegian Refugee Council. This position involves contributing to issue resolution, conducting research and analysis, and overseeing the day-to-day implementation of activities. The ICLA Officer is responsible for monitoring and tracking project deliverables and outcomes, including the preparation of highlight and checkpoint reports related to budget, schedule, and resources at the field level. Compliance with methodologies, change management processes, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security-policies" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security policies, and quality assurance procedures is essential. The role also requires the officer to ensure that projects effectively target beneficiaries in need and to explore innovative ways to assist them. The ICLA Officer is expected to demonstrate a commitment to NRC’s mission, vision, and values while promoting ideas for improvement and necessary changes in activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The ICLA Officer's duties and responsibilities include:

• Supporting and conducting research, assessments, and studies to inform the information provided and guide counseling sessions with beneficiaries.
• Assessing ICLA issues, including housing, land, and property (HLP) issues in internally displaced persons (IDP) sites and collaborating with local authorities to address these issues.
• Conducting group information sessions for beneficiaries on civil documentation, identity documents, and HLP rights, providing case-specific counseling and legal assistance as required.
• Assisting beneficiaries in obtaining documentation and corroborative evidence regarding land ownership and other legal identity documents.
• Facilitating negotiations and other community dispute resolution (CDR) approaches for beneficiaries facing disputes with community members or local authorities.
• Compiling up-to-date information on relevant HLP laws, procedures, and practices.
• Designing and conducting workshops on legal identity, HLP, and CDR with relevant stakeholders.
• Ensuring that shelter stakeholders understand and agree to NRC’s shelter agreements and that all documentation related to these agreements is available before implementing shelter rehabilitation works.
• Leading mobile group information sessions to raise awareness among displaced people and host communities about access to civil documentation and related issues.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires the following qualifications:

• A university degree in law is a strong asset; alternatively, a degree in social sciences with a paralegal qualification or a background in protection-related work may be considered for exceptional candidates.
• A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in a humanitarian or recovery context.
• Familiarity with laws, procedures, and practices operative in the Benshangul Gumuz region, particularly those related to housing, land, and property (HLP).
• Experience working with government authorities and vulnerable beneficiaries is preferred.
• Protection work experience with an international non-governmental organization (INGO) is an asset.
• Proven skills and experience in case management and conflict resolution.
• Advanced computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical, and negotiation skills are essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in law, which is considered a very strong asset for this position. Alternatively, a degree in social sciences combined with a paralegal qualification or relevant experience in protection-related work may be accepted for exceptional candidates. This educational background is crucial for understanding the legal frameworks and issues that the ICLA Officer will encounter in their role.

Experience:
The ICLA Officer position requires a minimum of two years of work experience in a relevant field, particularly in a humanitarian or recovery context. Candidates should have some familiarity with the laws, procedures, and practices specific to the Benshangul Gumuz region, especially those related to housing, land, and property (HLP). Experience working with government authorities and vulnerable beneficiaries is also preferred, along with a background in protection work with an INGO, which would be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English and Amharic is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with beneficiaries and stakeholders, as well as for the preparation of reports and documentation. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is full-time and may involve working in challenging environments. The ICLA Officer will be expected to work under pressure and with limited supervision. The role requires a proactive, goal-oriented, and results-driven individual who is flexible and creative in their approach to problem-solving. The Norwegian Refugee Council emphasizes the importance of safeguarding and expects all employees to treat everyone with respect and dignity, contribute to building a safe environment, and report any incidents of exploitation or harassment.