Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the necessary support and resources to rebuild their lives. NRC has been active in Bangladesh since 2018, responding to the Rohingya crisis and addressing the impacts of climate change in various regions of the country.

Job Overview:
The Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance Specialist will play a crucial role in the Bangladesh mission by providing technical development and strategic direction for the Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance thematic area. This position involves mentoring and training staff to enhance their technical capacity in this field. The role requires strong leadership skills, effective communication, and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships. The specialist will be responsible for developing strategies, engaging with donors for funding, and ensuring the technical quality of project implementation. The position also emphasizes the importance of capacity building and fostering a collaborative work environment.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance Specialist include:

• Developing and implementing the Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance strategy and providing technical guidance.
• Engaging with donors to secure funding for programming and developing proposals, budgets, and donor reports.
• Identifying trends, technical standards, and donor priorities to inform program development.
• Ensuring technical quality and synergies in project implementation.
• Leading and mentoring staff, providing support for their professional development and capacity building.
• Building and maintaining stakeholder relations, networking, and developing partnerships.
• Participating in forums, clusters, and working groups to represent NRC's interests and initiatives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree and have expertise in legal assistance within a humanitarian or recovery context. Knowledge of protection principles and technical legal advocacy is essential. Experience in implementing Community-Based Dispute Resolution and Housing Land & Property programming is required. Familiarity with complex and volatile contexts, particularly in relation to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh, is highly advantageous. Candidates should also demonstrate strong analytical skills and the ability to lead diverse teams effectively.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree is required for this position. Additional qualifications or certifications related to legal assistance, humanitarian aid, or social work may be beneficial but are not mandatory.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have substantial experience in legal assistance within humanitarian settings, particularly in contexts involving displacement and recovery. Experience working with vulnerable populations, such as refugees and internally displaced persons, is crucial. Familiarity with the Rohingya context and the challenges faced by displaced communities in Bangladesh will be considered an asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and verbal, is mandatory for this role. Proficiency in Bengali or other local languages would be advantageous but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, with a contract duration of 24 months. The role may require approximately 50% travel. The position is classified as Grade 9 in NRC’s Salary Scale, which includes a competitive compensation and benefits package. NRC is committed to diversity and encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including women and individuals from underrepresented groups. The organization emphasizes a culture of empowerment, encouraging employees to share ideas and take responsibility for their work.