Protection Officer (Legal Aid)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• It has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, operating in multiple countries around the world. The organization is dedicated to assisting refugees and internally displaced persons by providing emergency aid, advocating for their rights, and enhancing their opportunities for a better future. DRC works in conflict-affected areas, along displacement routes, and in host countries, striving for responsible and sustainable solutions. Their mission is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals, guided by values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. DRC has been active in Syria since 2008, initially addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to respond to the ongoing Syria crisis from 2011 onwards. The organization employs an area-based approach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across various sectors, including Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. DRC's rapid response mechanism allows for quick action in emergencies, and their programs aim to foster resilience in communities facing protracted displacement and post-conflict recovery, ultimately working towards durable solutions for those affected. DRC also engages in cross-border responses to the Syria crisis, collaborating with neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, and Iraq to provide comprehensive support and advocacy for affected populations.

Job Overview:
The Protection Officer (Legal Aid) will operate under the direct management of the Protection Team Leader and receive technical supervision from the Legal Aid Specialist. This role is crucial in providing direct legal assistance, counseling, and information to individuals and communities in need. The Legal Aid Officer will be responsible for implementing legal aid activities, contributing to legal analysis, ensuring the delivery of high-quality legal services, and maintaining protection standards. The officer will also assist in developing and disseminating legal information materials, strengthening legal referral pathways, coordinating with partners and authorities, and contributing to legal advocacy efforts, particularly focusing on at-risk groups. This position requires staying informed about legislative, administrative, and policy developments in Syria that pertain to legal status, identity, civil documentation, family law, housing, land and property rights, labor law, and other relevant topics. The Legal Aid Officer will monitor the legal environment to identify recurring challenges or violations of rights and report findings to the line manager and Legal Specialist, while also providing legal information to crisis-affected individuals about their rights and responsibilities. The role involves supporting clients in understanding legal processes, assisting them in obtaining necessary legal documentation, ensuring fair treatment and access to justice, advocating for the rights of vulnerable individuals, and promoting peaceful coexistence through legal mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. The Legal Aid Officer will also be involved in training DRC staff and stakeholders on legal issues and protection standards, ensuring that all activities align with legal principles and standards, and maintaining confidentiality and ethics throughout program implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Stay updated on legislative, administrative, and policy developments in Syria related to legal status, identity, civil documentation, family law, housing, land and property rights, labor law, and other relevant topics.
• Monitor the legal environment to identify recurring legal protection challenges or violations of rights and report findings to the line manager and Legal Specialist, identifying opportunities for improvement or interventions.
• Provide legal information to crisis-affected individuals about their rights and responsibilities through individual and group sessions, based on DRC legal aid guidance and relevant materials.
• Support individuals in understanding legal processes and procedures, particularly for accessing civil documentation, based on an up-to-date analysis of the relevant administrative and legal systems.
• Assist clients in obtaining necessary legal documentation (e.g., birth certificates, marriage certificates, identification papers) and provide administrative support or accompaniment based on an understanding of applicable legal procedures and rights.
• Ensure clients receive fair treatment without discrimination and access justice in compliance with relevant national and international law.
• Analyze potential violations of rights within legal and administrative processes, advocating for necessary mitigation of barriers to accessing justice where appropriate.
• Advocate for the rights of highly at-risk individuals and groups, particularly those facing systemic risks of discrimination or denial of rights (e.g., older persons, persons with disabilities).
• Support the training of DRC protection staff, other sector staff, and relevant stakeholders on legal issues, human rights, and protection standards. 1
• Assist in developing legal information and awareness materials, ensuring they reflect an accurate analysis of applicable laws and protections tailored to the specific needs of affected communities. 1
• Promote peaceful coexistence through legal mediation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, applying a legal analytical framework to evaluate disputes and recommend solutions that respect human rights and legal norms. 1
• Support the implementation of legal aid Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in identifying, referring, and responding to civil, administrative, and legal cases, ensuring procedures align with legal principles and standards. 1
• Initiate linkages with other legal aid service providers for referrals requiring additional legal support, considering the legal complexities of each case. 1
• Uphold principles of confidentiality and ethics throughout program implementation, applying legal standards regarding data protection and client privacy.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of proven professional experience in Syria providing legal services, ideally specializing in services for at-risk clients and refugees.
• Excellent understanding of national legal, policy, and administrative frameworks and their practical application and challenges related to internally displaced persons and refugees, civil status, family law, criminal law, employment law, and Housing Land and Property (HLP) rights.
• Experience with NGO Legal Aid Programming, including the provision of legal representation, legal counseling, and legal awareness raising.
• Experience interacting with judicial, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and administrative authorities.
• Good understanding of humanitarian and do no harm principles.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct trainings on legal matters.
• Experience in internal and external representation.
• Demonstrated intercultural sensitivity and motivation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 1
• Strategic thinker with the ability to quickly develop insight and understanding of the conflict, human rights situation, and political environment of the program country. 1
• Experience working in partnership with national/local NGOs and civil society organizations is essential.

Educational Background:

• University degree in Syrian Law.
• Specialization in international human rights law and/or international refugee law is desirable.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of proven professional experience in providing legal services in Syria, with a focus on at-risk clients and refugees. Candidates should have a strong understanding of the national legal, policy, and administrative frameworks, as well as practical challenges related to internally displaced persons and refugees. Experience with NGO Legal Aid Programming is essential, including legal representation, counseling, and awareness raising. Familiarity with judicial, security, and administrative authorities is also important, along with a good understanding of humanitarian principles and the ability to conduct trainings on legal matters. Candidates should demonstrate intercultural sensitivity, excellent communication skills, and the ability to think strategically about the conflict and human rights situation in Syria.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while Arabic is required as a native language. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, but the primary focus will be on English and Arabic for effective communication in this role.

Additional Notes:
The contract length for this position is until the end of September 2026, and it is classified as a Non-Management H2 level role. The position is based in Daraa, Syria, and the expected start date is as soon as possible. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply through the provided application link, ensuring that they submit a cover letter and an updated CV, both in the same language as the vacancy note. Applications must be submitted by the deadline of April 9, 202

• The Danish Refugee Council reserves the right to conduct tests and interviews before the closing date and may close the advertisement earlier if a suitable candidate is found.