ICLA Technical Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee due to crises. Established to provide aid in some of the most challenging environments, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, focusing on saving lives, rebuilding futures, and promoting the rights of displaced individuals. The organization is committed to delivering high-quality assistance where needs are greatest, particularly in both new and protracted crises. In Palestine, NRC plays a crucial role in providing humanitarian assistance and advocating for respect for law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law amidst one of the longest-running displacement crises in modern history. Their work encompasses various sectors, including emergency preparedness, education, protection, shelter, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene).

Job Overview:
The ICLA Technical Officer position is pivotal in providing technical leadership and quality assurance for the Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA) programming in Gaza. This role is essential for ensuring that the legal information, counselling, assistance, and technical services provided are accurate, relevant, consistent, and compliant with NRC standards as well as applicable Gazan and international legal frameworks. The officer will leverage strong legal expertise in Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights, legal identity, civil documentation, and related legal protection issues. The position involves leading technical oversight of HLP Due Diligence, managing legal cases, analyzing disputes, and employing Collaborative Dispute Resolution approaches. Additionally, the officer will monitor changes in the legal, policy, and operational environment, develop technical guidance and tools, and promote gender-responsive programming that addresses barriers faced by women and other vulnerable groups. The role also includes strengthening the capacity of NRC teams, partners, and stakeholders, supporting legal research, program development, and cross-program coordination, and representing NRC in relevant technical forums as delegated. Through regular quality reviews, capacity building, and analysis, the ICLA Technical Officer will ensure that the programming remains safe, effective, and responsive to the evolving context in Gaza.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The ICLA Technical Officer will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: providing technical oversight, quality assurance, and guidance for the delivery of legal information, counselling, legal assistance, and legal technical services related to Housing, Land, and Property (HLP), legal identity, civil documentation, and other legal protection issues. The officer will monitor and analyze legal, policy, and operational developments affecting participants’ access to HLP rights, legal identity, and civil documentation, particularly focusing on barriers affecting women and vulnerable groups. This includes documenting findings through regular legal updates, technical guidance, and program recommendations to ensure services remain technically accurate and relevant. The officer will lead and provide technical oversight for HLP Due Diligence activities, including the development and review of legal assessments, verification of HLP documentation, risk analysis, quality assurance, and recommendations for humanitarian programming. Promoting gender-responsive legal programming and strengthening access to HLP rights for women and other vulnerable groups through technical guidance, capacity building, and program development is also a key responsibility. The officer will provide technical guidance on HLP dispute analysis and Collaborative Dispute Resolution approaches, including supported negotiation, conflict and stakeholder analysis, and facilitation of dialogue. Additionally, the officer will undertake legal research and technical analysis on emerging issues within ICLA thematic areas and participate in outreach, coordination, and technical engagements with NRC Core Competencies and external stakeholders. The development, review, and dissemination of technical guidance, SOPs, legal tools, awareness materials, and learning products will also fall under the officer's purview. The officer will design, deliver, and evaluate technical capacity building for NRC staff, partners, community structures, and other stakeholders on HLP, legal identity, legal protection, and related topics to ensure the quality, timeliness, and relevance of information, counselling, and assistance activities. Furthermore, the officer will represent NRC in technical coordination meetings, working groups, trainings, and consultations as delegated by the Project Coordinator or Project Manager. The management of ICLA partners and consultants, including supporting procurement processes, monitoring implementation, assessing technical performance, and ensuring appropriate documentation and reporting, will also be part of the officer's responsibilities. Finally, the officer will conduct technical quality assurance of legal case management files, legal assessments, and activity reporting to ensure technical accuracy, completeness, consistency, and compliance with NRC standards and ICLA methodologies, along with any other tasks assigned by management.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree in law, international law, or a related field, with a master's degree in law, human rights, or any relevant field considered an advantage. A membership with the Palestinian Bar Association is mandatory. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience in civil law matters, including housing, land and property, civil documentation, and employment issues, as well as familiarity with laws, procedures, and practices operative in Palestinian Law. Significant protection experience, preferably in a humanitarian or recovery context, is also required. Demonstrable experience in negotiating with authorities and advancing the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries is essential, along with proven skills and experience in case management and conflict resolution. Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical, and negotiation skills are crucial, as is the ability to prioritize responsibilities, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines. Expertise in policy advice and analysis, experience in delivering training services, and good legal drafting skills are also important. Knowledge of the context of Palestine is highly valued, and candidates should possess reliability and organizational skills, effective communication abilities, and the capacity to work well in a team under pressure. Basic analytical and IT skills are desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in law, international law, or a relevant field. A master's degree in law, human rights, or any related field is advantageous. Membership in the Palestinian Bar Association is a requirement for this position, ensuring that candidates have the necessary legal credentials to operate within the legal framework of Palestine.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in civil law matters, particularly in areas such as housing, land and property, civil documentation, and employment issues. Candidates should have significant protection experience, ideally within a humanitarian or recovery context. Demonstrable experience in negotiating with authorities and advocating for the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries is essential, along with proven skills in case management and conflict resolution. The ability to manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines is also critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in Arabic is mandatory, given the local context and the need to communicate effectively with beneficiaries and stakeholders. Proficiency in English is also required, as it is essential for documentation, reporting, and coordination with international partners. Additional language skills may be considered an asset, particularly if they enhance communication with diverse communities within Gaza.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 5 months, with the possibility of extension subject to budget availability. The working hours are set at 38 hours per week, from Sunday to Thursday (5 days per week). The salary and benefits will be determined according to NRC’s salary scale and terms and conditions, specifically for the Gaza duty station. The position is open exclusively to residents of the Gaza Strip. The start date for this role is as soon as possible (ASAP). NRC is committed to diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds. The recruitment process is ongoing, and candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience, as the position may be filled before the official closing date. Internal candidates should log in with their official email or access the Opportunity Marketplace to apply. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and only applications submitted through the designated system will be considered. For any issues during the application process, candidates can reach out to recruitment.gaza@nrc.no for assistance.