Legal Aid Services Intern

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established in 1949 to provide assistance and protection to Palestine refugees. The agency operates in five fields: Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and Gaza. UNRWA's mission is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development, while safeguarding their rights and dignity. The organization employs thousands of staff members across these regions, focusing on education, health care, social services, and emergency assistance. UNRWA places a strong emphasis on the protection of Palestine refugees and their rights under law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law, and it has developed various programs to support their legal needs and access to justice.

Job Overview:
The Legal Aid Services Intern will play a crucial role in supporting the legal clinic's operations by assisting with client case intake and interviews, case documentation, and providing support to the protection legal team. This position is designed for fresh graduates who are eager to gain practical experience in legal aid service delivery within a humanitarian context. The intern will work closely with the associate legal protection officer (ALPO) to assess client eligibility for legal aid services and maintain accurate case files while adhering to confidentiality and data protection standards. The intern will also assist in organizing legal awareness sessions and contribute to the design and implementation of surveys and assessments to improve legal aid services for Palestinian refugees.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern's primary duties will include conducting initial client interviews to gather relevant information on legal issues and protection concerns, assessing eligibility for legal aid services, and maintaining detailed case files in compliance with confidentiality standards. The intern will assist in preparing case forms, archiving documentation, and scheduling appointments. Additionally, the intern will support the legal team in organizing legal awareness sessions for refugees, develop legal information materials, and contribute to high-quality analysis and reporting. Participation in meetings, minute-taking, and drafting progress reports will also be part of the intern's responsibilities, along with performing other related duties to ensure the efficiency of legal aid services.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be fresh graduates with a degree in Law, Human Rights, or a related field from a reputable accredited university. Strong skills in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are essential, along with familiarity with legal research methods and case documentation. The ability to analyze information, gather evidence through client interviews, and adhere to basic protection principles and standards is crucial. Candidates should demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills, good interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with vulnerable individuals.

Educational Background:
A degree in Law, Human Rights, or a related field from a reputable accredited university is required for this position. This educational background is essential to ensure that the intern possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support the legal aid services and understand the complexities of legal issues faced by Palestinian refugees.

Experience:
While prior experience is not mandatory, any volunteer work experience in legal aid or humanitarian services will be considered an asset. The internship is primarily aimed at fresh graduates looking to gain practical experience in a professional setting, particularly within the context of legal aid and refugee support.

Languages:
Excellent command of written and spoken Arabic and English is mandatory for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is essential for conducting client interviews, preparing legal documents, and participating in awareness sessions.

Additional Notes:
This internship is expected to last more than three months and is not financially remunerated by the United Nations. Interns are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, and living expenses. The internship does not guarantee employment with UNRWA, and interns are considered complementary personnel with non-staff status. Interns are encouraged to apply for UNRWA staff vacancies as external candidates through normal selection procedures. UNRWA is committed to maintaining a non-smoking environment and upholding the highest standards of integrity, neutrality, and impartiality.