Job Posting Organization: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 194
Its primary mission is to provide assistance and protection to approximately 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees across Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip. UNRWA aims to help these refugees achieve their full potential in human development while awaiting a just resolution to their plight. The agency operates the largest UN operation in the Middle East, employing over 30,000 staff members and is primarily funded through voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, and private entities. UNRWA offers a range of services, including education, healthcare, relief and social services, camp infrastructure improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. The organization is committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, and it actively seeks individuals who share this vision to join its team.
Job Overview: The Legal Aid Officer position is a critical role within UNRWA, reporting directly to the Legal Aid Coordinator and under the overall guidance of the Protection Team Leader. The incumbent will be responsible for managing individual legal cases involving Palestine refugees in Lebanon, particularly focusing on issues related to civil documentation, legal residency, and other legal protection concerns. The role requires conducting outreach activities in refugee camps and gatherings, including mobile legal clinics and community meetings, to identify and address the legal needs of the refugee population. The Legal Aid Officer will meet beneficiaries, review their documentation, provide legal counseling, and support referrals for cases requiring direct legal assistance or representation. Additionally, the officer will assess the eligibility of cases for legal aid support, represent beneficiaries in interactions with Lebanese authorities, and maintain comprehensive records of all cases. The position also involves analyzing legal trends affecting Palestine refugees and contributing to strategic advocacy efforts to address emerging legal protection issues.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Follow up on individual legal cases with relevant Lebanese authorities to resolve issues related to civil documentation, legal residency, and other legal protection concerns affecting Palestine Refugees in Lebanon, including Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS).
Conduct outreach activities in refugee camps and gatherings, including mobile legal clinics and community meetings, to identify and address legal needs among the refugee population.
Meet beneficiaries referred by the legal aid team in a fair and non-discriminatory manner, review their documentation, provide legal counselling, and identify and support referrals of cases requiring direct legal assistance or representation before Lebanese authorities.
Assess the eligibility of each case for legal aid support by screening submissions, collecting additional documentation, and preparing recommendations for intervention.
Represent or accompany beneficiaries in interactions with Lebanese authorities to help resolve legal barriers to documentation, residency, and other issues.
Organize periodic case review meetings with the Legal Aid Coordinator to ensure coordinated decision-making and follow-up on complex or high-risk cases.
Coordinate closely with the broader UNRWA Legal Aid team to ensure consistency and complementarity in the delivery of legal services across the field.
Maintain comprehensive records of all submitted and referred cases and provide regular reports to the Legal Aid Coordinator and Protection Team Leader on legal trends, challenges, and outcomes.
Analyze individual legal cases to identify recurring patterns or systemic challenges, contributing to the development of information materials for community awareness and prevention. 1
Monitor and report on legal and policy trends affecting Palestine Refugees in Lebanon, with particular attention to emerging restrictions or risks faced by specific subgroups, such as PRS. 1
Support strategic advocacy efforts by identifying emerging legal protection issues and contributing to the development of evidence-based advocacy messages targeting relevant stakeholders and duty-bearers. 1
Strengthen working relations with relevant Lebanese authorities to facilitate access to legal remedies, support advocacy for refugee rights, and promote the removal of legal and administrative barriers affecting Palestine Refugees’ access to documentation and protection.
Required Qualifications: The position requires a university degree in law (LLB or equivalent) and an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law or a related field such as refugee studies, international development, or international law from an accredited institution. Additionally, membership in the Lebanese Bar (Beirut or Tripoli Bar Association) and being in good standing is mandatory. Candidates must have at least 5 years of progressively responsible and relevant legal experience, including practice before national authorities such as the Ministry of Interior, courts, and General security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Office. Demonstrable experience in legal aid, protection, or access to justice programming, particularly with refugees, asylum seekers, or other vulnerable populations, is required. Strong knowledge of Lebanese civil documentation, family law, and residency regulations is essential, along with experience in providing legal counselling and casework in complex or sensitive legal matters.
Educational Background: Candidates must possess a university degree in law (LLB or equivalent) and an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Law or a related field such as refugee studies, international development, or international law from an accredited institution. Membership in the Lebanese Bar (Beirut or Tripoli Bar Association) and in good standing is required for this position.
Experience: The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible and relevant legal experience, particularly in practice before national authorities such as the Ministry of Interior, courts, and General Security Office. Candidates should have demonstrable experience in legal aid, protection, or access to justice programming, especially with refugees, asylum seekers, or other vulnerable populations. A strong understanding of Lebanese civil documentation, family law, and residency regulations is essential, along with experience in providing legal counselling and casework in complex or sensitive legal matters.
Languages: For this position, proficiency in English and Arabic is required. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, but for this job opening, candidates must demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in English and Arabic according to the UN Language Framework. Specifically, candidates should have at least UN Level II proficiency in English and UN Level I proficiency in Arabic for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Additional Notes: The position is offered as a Limited Duration Contract (LDC), Band G, with a duration of 6 months, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance, and continuing need. The monthly salary for this position is USD 2,255.20, which includes a basic salary of USD 2,088.20 and a special allowance of USD 16
Additional benefits include compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave pro-rated to the duration of the contract, family allowance (if applicable), 2 days of sick leave for each completed month of service, maternity leave upon meeting eligibility requirements, and 2 weeks of paternity leave upon meeting eligibility requirements. The vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates, but only those residing in Lebanon and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in Lebanon are eligible to apply. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce and strongly encourages female candidates to apply. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency in meeting its commitment to gender parity. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post in the future should suitable vacancies become available.
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