Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Protection Officer – Legal.

About the Job

Overall purpose of the role to provide legal counselling and legal support to survivors of gender-based violence as well as other people in case-management services.

Sector responsibilities: Advocacy for the rights of displaced people in their context of displacement, child protection initiatives, individual protection assistance based on vulnerability, legal aid, land & property rights, sexual and gender-based violence prevention, registration services for the internally displaced and refugees, monitoring of rights and rights awareness-raising, facilitation of return and repatriation processes.

Geographic scope: Field Office

This role has an area focus and ensures compliance to DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the development of country strategies, which are translated into action plans and day-to-day tasks.

Location: Kilis

Duties and Responsibilities:

Programming & Operations

• Ensure efficient and effective program implementation while following the budget and work plan
• Participate in preparing monthly/quarterly/annual highlights/reports and proposals
• Monitor developments on the legal framework and regulations developed for refugees at the regional and country level
• Provide direct legal information, support and assistance to DRC’s community centers beneficiaries and, as appropriate, advocate on their behalf
• Research individual cases and identify possible courses of action together with the client, interpret and explain procedures, legislation, and official documents and assist in filling relevant documents for their case
• Ensure clear communication with beneficiaries to inform them of potential courses of action and empowering them to pursue their chosen options
• Advocate on behalf of the client under existing legal frameworks and agreements and negotiate with agencies, government departments, local authorities, immigration services, solicitors and other bodies in order to secure beneficiaries entitlements and/or access services
• Refer beneficiaries to other sources of help, for example solicitors, social workers or special case workers who may represent the client in court, at tribunals or other official bodies
• Maintain a data-base of lawyers able and willing to provide representation in court and facilitate the out-sourcing, including financial management of such cases
• Develop group legal counselling sessions based-on community needs, and produce information for publications, leaflets etc.
• Liaise with other internal departments and external organizations on behalf of beneficiaries
• Keep up to date with appropriate legislation and policies regarding Syrian refugees and refugees living in Turkey in general
• Provide training or briefings to internal staff or external organizations
• Develop legal policy briefings and updates on the implementation of relevant
• Ensure impartiality, and confidentiality of beneficiaries, at all times
• Ensuring the maintenance and regular update of case databases and other relevant trackers

Coordination and Representation

• Collaborate with relevant internal and external technical experts on sector relevant issues, including bar association and others involved in support to displaced people
• Represent DRC at meetings and other relevant technical coordination meetings
• Ensure integration with other DRC sectors
• Liaise with government legal services and provide trainings where necessary

Project Implementation and Reporting

• Input into case-management data-bases and update case files in conjunction with case-management team
• Maintain legal case files and update overall project trackers
• Provide accurate reporting to M&E and Grants teams as needed

Logistics

• Plan and coordinate proactively logistics and movements of staff from and to different operational areas
• Initiate procurements and ensure their execution
• Ensure distribution plans are prepared and shared with logistics in a timely manner

Roles reporting to this position: No direct reports

Reports to: Protection Manager

About you

To be successful in this role you must have a law degree, license and registration to practice law in Turkey.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of practical experience in sector area working for an INGO

• Field experience

• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Advanced Turkish proficiency, Arabic is an asset

• Fluency in English language highly desirable

• Should be member of Turkish Bar Association

• Experience working in the humanitarian field (preferably experience from southern Turkey)

• Experience in protection activities and/or social or health sector

• An understanding of humanitarian/civil society issues in Turkey and the region

• Experience working with Syrian refugees

• Strong organizational and communication skills

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment

• Ability to multi-task and cope with competing demands under tight deadlines

• Flexibility, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn from others

Preferred Experience and Competencies

• Experience with case management protocols desirable

• An understanding of humanitarian/civil society issues in Turkey and the region

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this job opening

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process

Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback

Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation

Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly

Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment

We offer

Contract length: By the end of 2024

Employment Band: H

Designation of Duty Station: Kilis

Start date: ASAP

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Nationals.

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 30.07.2024

For further information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.