Legal Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a prominent Danish international non-governmental organization established to promote and support durable solutions to the challenges faced by refugees and internally displaced persons globally. Founded in 1956, DRC has grown to operate in over 30 conflict-affected territories worldwide, providing essential assistance such as shelter, food, and income-generating activities to displaced populations. The organization emphasizes compliance with its Accountability and Quality Management system, as well as adherence to national legislation, ensuring that operational systems are effective and reliable. This commitment is crucial for maintaining DRC's reputation as a trustworthy partner for donors and an accountable organization for beneficiaries. DRC has been active in Nigeria since 2016, with its Country Office located in Abuja and additional area offices in Maiduguri and Sokoto, along with sub-offices in Gusau, Bama, and Banki, and a mobile team in Katsina. DRC Nigeria's operations focus on addressing core strategic priorities, including support for hard-to-reach populations, economic recovery, protection, and climate resilience, while balancing emergency response with solutions programming through partnerships with local actors.

Job Overview:
The Legal Specialist position is pivotal within the Danish Refugee Council's operations in Nigeria, particularly in the Northwest region. This role entails providing technical oversight for all legal activities conducted by DRC and its partners, focusing on legal awareness, legal counseling, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The Legal Specialist will guide the strategic development of DRC's legal aid program in Nigeria, fostering collaboration with local partners to enhance the effectiveness of legal interventions. The position requires the individual to support and provide technical guidance to field staff and partners engaged in projects with legal components. The Legal Specialist will also be responsible for ensuring that legal activities align with DRC's standards and contribute to the overall protection and livelihoods programs, thereby addressing the acute legal needs of displaced populations in Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Specialist will undertake a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Providing technical oversight for all legal activities within DRC Nigeria's Protection and Livelihoods programs, particularly concerning links to social registers.
• Mapping existing legal services in the Northwest region, including private, traditional, and other forms of legal assistance, and recommending collaborative approaches.
• Leading strategic decisions regarding the Legal Aid Programme in conjunction with the Country Level Protection Coordinator and Area Level Programme Manager.
• Offering regular technical supervision to partners' legal staff, overseeing case documentation, and providing feedback and training.
• Conducting capacity-building initiatives for DRC staff and partners involved in legal projects, including developing training materials and capacity-building plans.
• Creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and tools for new legal activities in collaboration with local partners.
• Developing outreach materials focused on legal issues and supporting the delivery of awareness sessions.
• Conducting legal research and providing insights on relevant legal matters in Nigeria, collaborating closely with the Protection Information Management Specialist and other relevant personnel.
• Ensuring that all legal activities incorporate monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) tools to assess impact and quality. 1
• Conducting regular field visits to ensure high-quality legal activities, including housing, land, and property (HLP) issues and access to justice. 1
• Developing legal needs assessment tools to inform design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and strategic direction. 1
• Participating in relevant legal coordination meetings and providing feedback to the Global HLP Advisor and Legal Advisor from DRC. 1
• Coordinating with all departments within DRC Nigeria to integrate legal aspects into their work. 1
• Supervising and coaching local NGOs on legal aid initiatives. The responsibilities outlined are not exhaustive and may be adjusted based on operational needs while remaining aligned with the overall purpose of the role.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Legal Specialist position must possess a comprehensive set of qualifications, including:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience working for an international non-governmental organization (INGO) in the protection sector, with a specific focus on legal programming.
• Experience in implementing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms is advantageous, as is expertise in housing, land, and property (HLP) issues.
• Previous experience in an advisory capacity is preferred.
• Proven experience in providing training on legal topics is essential.
• Familiarity with working alongside national partners, local and government authorities, and UN organizations is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently in high-pressure environments with multiple tasks and changing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with a proven ability to foster harmonious teamwork in cross-cultural contexts.
• Strong leadership, organizational skills, and flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances and intensive work schedules.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Legal Specialist position includes:

• A degree in Law is mandatory, with a Master's degree considered an advantage.
• Candidates must be a bar-registered lawyer with the Nigeria Bar Association, ensuring they are qualified to practice law within the country.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience, specifically in the protection sector of an INGO, with a strong emphasis on legal programming. Candidates should have a proven track record of implementing legal initiatives and working in advisory roles, as well as experience in training and capacity building related to legal topics. Familiarity with alternative dispute resolution and housing, land, and property issues will be beneficial.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as all applications and communications must be conducted in English. While not mandatory, knowledge of local languages spoken in Nigeria may be advantageous for effective communication with beneficiaries and local partners.

Additional Notes:
The Legal Specialist position is a national role based in Sokoto, Nigeria, with a contract duration of 7 months, subject to the possibility of extension. The start date is as soon as possible, and the salary and conditions will adhere to the DRC National salary structure. It is important to note that this is a national position, and local Nigerian terms and conditions apply. DRC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. All applicants should be aware that DRC cannot offer an international work contract to citizens of the country of assignment.