NRC has been present in Nigeria since 2015 and has been working to help displacement-affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six core competencies: water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information-Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Camp Management, and Protection. NRC provides immediate assistance during the onset of emergencies through the rapid response mechanism (RRM). With a workforce of 370 staff and a presence in key locations such as Maiduguri (in Borno State), Yola (in Adamawa State) and Jos (in Plateau State), NRC can respond to the needs of those affected by the conflict across North-East, and North Central Nigeria.

These strategic locations have allowed NRC greater reach from the north and south parts of the North-East and North Central region and allowed NRC to contribute to bridging the gap between humanitarian aid and development cooperation, including by focusing on equitable access to basic services and strengthening the rights of displaced people and returnees. In addition to the Country Office and the above-mentioned Area Offices, NRC has sub-office structures in Dikwa, Monguno, Biu, Mubi, Pulka and Gwoza.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee.

If you are those people, the Norwegian Refugee Council in Nigeria is looking for an enthusiastic and passionate ICLA Officer to join our team in Mafa, Borno State. You will be responsible to provide support to the ICLA Team Leaders and contribute to the implementation of the ICLA programme in Nigeria, Borno State.
Generic responsibilities 

• Ensure adherence with NRC policies, tools, handbooks, and guidelines.
• Implement delegated CC projects according to plan of action.
• Ensure that project targets beneficiaries most in need and explore and asses new and better ways to assist.
• Promote and share ideas for technical improvement.
• Actively facilitate and maintain Liaison and collaboration with relevant local and national authorities and stakeholders and represent NRC in relevant forums/cluster/working groups.
• Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy.
• Involve and inform communities and community leaders about the activities to ensure accountability.
• Break down the annual operational plans into weekly, monthly, and quarterly implementation plans.
• Prepare periodic progress reports and other documents as required.
• Perform any other professional duties as requested by the ICLA Coordinators, ICLA Team Leaders and ICLA PM.

Specific responsibilities 

• Implement the legal assistance programs including HLP, CDR and identity documentation activities innovatively to adapt to location and context, in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirements and optimise opportunities for synergies.
• Contribute to the planning procedures and tools for implementation of ICLA projects in line with proposals, strategies, and donor requirements.
• Document project achievements and deliverables
• Monitor technical quality of ICLA projects and maintain transparency of implementation progress.
• Contribute to an effective M& E system in the country.
• Support and integrate gender, protection, and advocacy priorities into ICLA programme design.
• Contribute to the development of the ICLA strategy, technical SOPs / guidelines, and Macro LFAs for Nigeria
• Facilitate the Provision of HLP legal assistance i.e., HLP title documents, HLP documentation for shelter rehabilitation beneficiaries, Cash for rent beneficiaries, FSL, WASH and other Co-competencies.
• Negotiate access to land and HLP dispute arising from interventions with landowners or local authorities to realize beneficiaries’ housing, land, and property rights.
• Review and outline legal and policy frameworks governing HLP rights of displaced persons, returnees, and host communities from a domestic legal perspective. Compile up-to-date information on relevant HLP laws, procedures, and practices.
• Outline the normative framework of international, regional, and national policy on HLP rights as applicable to Northeast Nigeria.
• Identify and document specific challenges facing IDPs, returnees and host communities in exercising their HLP rights. This includes gender, age, diversity issues and how they relate to HLP violations.
• Map HLP issues in areas of return providing an overview of the nature of issues, the effects, who is affected and the current response considering IDPs, returnees, and host communities. Conduct field visits to capture the views of beneficiaries including women and of key stakeholders (statutory, customary, and religious authorities, protection actors, etc.).
• Provide recommendations to effectively protect HLP rights of IDPs and host communities as well as to address programmatic gaps for NRC to address HLP issues affecting displaced and host communities.
• Contribute to the development of funding proposal, project budgets and donor reports.
• Contribute to coordination and management of the ICLA project implementation (activities, budget, and project documentation) in line with proposals, strategies and donor requirement.
• Supervise Project Assistants, ensure transfer of relevant skills for quality program implementation.
• Provide technical assistance to the ICLA Program Manager and contribute to the development of a quality ICLA program in line with the Nigerian context.

Generic professional competencies: 

•       Experience from working as an Officer in a humanitarian context, especially legal experience is valued

•       Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities

• Minimum 3 years’ experience from practice as a lawyer. Experience from working in the field of humanitarian assistance is an advantage.
• Must have a good knowledge of the laws and policies governing HLP issues and Identity documentation.
•  Must possess a Bachelor of Laws degree and must have been called to the Nigerian Bar (be able to practice as a lawyer in Nigeria) and be conversant with international humanitarian and Human Rights law.
• Excellent communication skills – written and spoken – in English required.
• Fluency in one or more of the national/regional languages (Hausa and Kanuri preferred)
• Must be willing to work as a team member, take direction, and share technical skills with colleagues and counterparts.
• Computer literacy in word processing and spreadsheets is required,
• Must be able to work under pressure.

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge, and experience: 

• Knowledge of the context in Borno State, Nigeria
• Experience with humanitarian activities

What’s in it for you? 

Join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility:

At NRC we think creatively. We encourage ideas and give responsibility to all employees at all levels, to help solve the complex issues that we face. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Learn on the job: NRC’s collaborative working style favours the exchange of good practice and lessons learnt. At NRC, employees learn on the job and are encouraged to look for opportunities to develop new competencies. NRC managers prioritise the quality work and the competency development of their staff. This entails giving newcomers a good start, following up, training and mentoring employees to allow them to perform well in their current job, and offering learning and development programmes.

Additional Information: 

Duty Stations: Mafa, Borno State Nigeria

Duration of contract: 4 months (Renewable).

Grade Level:  Grade 5 in NRC’s grading structure

Reporting line:  ICLA Coordinator

This position is open to Nigeria Nationals only. We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as applications may be screened prior to the vacancy deadline. The female candidates are strongly advised to apply.