Protection Assistant (Legal Interpreter)

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 195

• It provides direct assistance to conflict-affected populations, including refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and host communities, operating in over 40 countries worldwide. DRC has been active in Tanzania since 2015, responding to the Burundi refugee crisis by implementing emergency response projects in three refugee camps located in the Kigoma Region, which borders Burundi. The organization’s integrated projects encompass various sectors, including Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Protection (including Community-Based Protection, Protection from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, Child Protection, and Legal assistance), Shelter and Infrastructure, and Economic Recovery, aimed at supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and host communities.

Job Overview:
The Protection Assistant (Legal Interpreter) plays a crucial role in ensuring effective communication during legal proceedings involving Persons of Concern (PwS). This position requires the individual to interpret spoken and written communications during court sessions and provide legal coaching. The Protection Assistant will collaborate closely with legal officers and assistants to connect PwS with the legal help desk, ensuring they receive the necessary legal support. The role is vital in maintaining confidentiality and fostering effective working relationships with various stakeholders, including UNHCR, magistrates, and legal partners. The Protection Assistant will also be responsible for data collection and reporting, program management, and ensuring compliance with DRC and donor regulations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Protection Assistant (Legal Interpreter) include:

• Maintaining confidentiality according to legal standards, ensuring that case details are not discussed outside court proceedings.
• Building and maintaining effective working relationships with UNHCR, Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), magistrates, court clerks, legal officers, legal assistants, and other partners.
• Translating and interpreting all spoken or written communications during court proceedings to ensure accurate representation of all parties involved.
• Collaborating with legal assistants to link PwS to the legal help desk for general legal awareness.
• Conducting visits to prisons, police stations, and immigration offices in collaboration with legal officers.
• Providing legal aid services in the camp, including reconciliation, case follow-up, legal awareness, and preparing various legal agreements.
• Directing PwS to the legal help desk for legal representation and advice.
• Attending relevant training forums related to the job.
• Performing any other tasks assigned by supervisors related to legal aid services for refugees. 1
• Tracking indicators and maintaining data on activities and legal indicators with support from the Information Management Officer. 1
• Preparing and submitting timely reports as per donor requirements, ensuring accountability for meeting reporting deadlines. 1
• Planning and organizing activities in compliance with DRC and donor regulations, including budget management and tracking expenditures.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Protection Assistant (Legal Interpreter) position include:

• Proficiency in the Kirundi language is essential.
• Additional legal training is considered an advantage.
• A minimum of one year of experience working in a humanitarian context.
• A basic understanding of human rights law and international refugee law is necessary.
• Familiarity with the judicial system in Tanzania is required.
• Good computer literacy is essential.
• A solid understanding of the law and practices of Tanzanian courts is expected.
• Candidates should demonstrate a high level of personal initiative, analytical skills, and proactive problem-solving abilities.
• Cultural sensitivity and a commitment to DRC's values are crucial. 1
• Strong communication skills are necessary for effective interaction with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Law, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Translation and Interpretation, social sciences, or any other related field from a recognized university. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the duties of the Protection Assistant effectively.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least one year of experience working in a humanitarian context. This experience should ideally include exposure to legal processes and an understanding of the challenges faced by refugees and other vulnerable populations. Familiarity with the judicial system in Tanzania and a basic understanding of human rights law and international refugee law are also important aspects of the required experience.

Languages:
Candidates must have excellent proficiency in written and spoken English, Kirundi, and Kiswahili. These language skills are essential for effective communication with PwS and other stakeholders involved in legal proceedings. Proficiency in these languages will enable the Protection Assistant to perform their duties effectively and ensure that all parties understand the legal processes involved.

Additional Notes:
The employment category for this position is Band I, and the Protection Assistant will report to the Protection Legal Team Leader. The technical line manager for this role is the Protection Manager. There are no direct reports for this position. The unit/department is Protection, and the location is Nyarugusu/Kasulu. Key stakeholders include DRC Protection staff, refugees, donors, local government representatives, community groups, other NGOs, and relief actors. DRC emphasizes its core competencies, which include striving for excellence, collaborating effectively, taking the lead, communicating openly, and demonstrating integrity. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive work environment and encourages applications from diverse candidates. DRC also conducts thorough background checks as part of the recruitment process.