DRC has been responding to various humanitarian crises in Lebanon since 2004, working with Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees. DRC received registration from the Ministry of Interior in 2011, and since then has focused primarily on responding to the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon and the resulting impact on Lebanese host community. DRC Lebanon’s focus is to ensure that we are able to respond to critical emerging humanitarian needs whilst improve the living conditions of displacement-affected populations and contribute to the achievement of durable solutions. With an annual portfolio of $12million, and with approximately 200+ staff, DRC is focusing its response in protection and economic recovery (Ec-Rec) sector in Bekka, North Lebanon and Beirut. DRC is also contributing to the evidence base and coordination structures in country through our Evidence Generation and referral information management (RIMs) teams.

About the job

The Legal Officer is responsible for implementing DRC’s legal aid programming, including the provision of legal awareness and information dissemination for beneficiaries of DRC as well as the provision of legal counseling activities related to legal status, civil documentation, Housing Land & Property (HLP) rights and other legal topics as relevant and in accordance with DRC’s policies and principles. Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Develop and disseminate informational materials in relation to civil documentation, residency, labor law and HLP issues in particular.
• Ensure capacity- building for protection staff and any other sector staff on legal issues.
• Conduct outreach in communities to support intake into DRC legal aid services.
• Contribute to service mapping in DRC’s area of implementation.
• Provide legal awareness and information dissemination sessions in collaboration with protection department to ensure refugees and displacement-affected populations are aware about their rights.
• Inform refugees and other persons of concern and about project activities and their legal rights and counsel them on means by which they may receive assistance from DRC, partner organizations, or the government.
• Provide monthly reports to the Protection Manager on activities and numbers of beneficiaries reached.
• Promote rights of refugees, asylum seekers and other persons of concern and ensure best possible application of international human rights standards.
• Conduct legal sensitization and information sessions to all of DRC’s and partner beneficiaries adapted to information needs observed or identified.
• Participate in the inter-agency legal working groups on a monthly basis.
• Support Protection Manager in ensuring quality of legal aid services and in identifying key gaps in programming.
• Identify and refer individuals in need of legal consultation and/or representation or other services where needed.
• Ensure and maintain good relations with relevant administrative bodies and other relevant stakeholders.
• Assisting, supporting and counselling beneficiaries on obtaining/renewing civil and identity documentation
• Support DRC’s legal consultants on any matter related to DRC’s legal aid program.
• Perform any other tasks as requested by the Protection Manager.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 2 years of experience in in providing legal aid services to refugees or other displacement affected populations. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Bachelor Degree in Lebanese Law
• Excellent knowledge of international protection and human rights legal standards.
• Excellent understanding of the legal framework in Lebanon and administrative functions.
• Understanding of the humanitarian values and a commitment to assist the most vulnerable.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good knowledge of refugee context, as well as demonstrated ability to identify and refer vulnerable cases.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is essential.

Desirable

• Master Degree in Lebanese Law
• Specialization in international human rights law and/or international refugees law

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak 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: until 30 September 2025 with possibility of renewal
• Band/Level: H
• Duty Station: Bekaa Lebanon
• Start date: January 2025

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to drc.ngo under Vacancies. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact lbn-jobs@drc.ngo

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: 4/12/2024

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