Location: Mae Hong Son
Country: Thailand
Category: Legal & Compliance
Employee Category Fixed Term
Job Type: Full Time
Work Arrangement: In-person
Open To Expatriates: No

Application Deadline: 20 December 2024

Background/ IRC Summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC has been operating in Thailand since 1975 and currently assists displaced persons in Tak, Kanchanaburi, Ratchaburi, and Mae Hong Son provinces

Job Overview/Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Coordinator for Community and Government Liaison, the Senior Legal Officer ensure fair access to justice for displaced persons through facilitating legal case management, providing legal information and counseling, and facilitating community dispute resolution. The Senior Legal Officer provides capacity strengthening on case management to Camp-Based Assistants of P-LAC, Community Legal Volunteers to perform their role on legal services. The Senior Legal Officer also coordinate with community-based organizations, community leaders, and stakeholders to promote fair and equal access to justice including case referral to appropriate entities, ensuring proper legal protection for displaced persons.

Major Responsibilities:

• Ensure displaced persons access fair and equal justice within Thai and camp justice systems.
• Provide mentoring, coaching, and technical support to Community Legal Volunteers and Camp-Based Assistants of P-LAC in legal case management, including case intake, basic counselling, referrals, and follow-ups.
• Coordinate with UNHCR, MOI, and external civil society to facilitate access to justice, particularly for serious protection and legal cases, and bridge the gap between refugee communities and legal services.
• Work closely with relevant agencies to refer legal and human rights violation cases to appropriate organizations for comprehensive support.
• Identify development areas and collaborate with IRC sectors, UNHCR, and academic institutions to enhance the skills and knowledge of Community Legal Volunteers, Camp-Based Assistants, CBOs, and community leaders through training, workshops, and group discussions.
• Maintain relationship with local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs/CSOs, civil societies, and academic institutions to address legal and protection issues of displaced persons.
• Prepare monthly activity plans, budgets, and reports in collaboration with the Deputy Coordinator for Access to Justice and other team members to integrate project activities.
• Work with the Program Quality team to develop tools and collect data for legal services to ensure compliance and maintain program quality.
• Represent IRC for external coordination related to access to justice and protection issues.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Coordinator for Community & Government Liaison

Position directly supervises: Legal Service Officer

Indirect Reporting: N/A

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Protection and Empowerment Programs, Health programs, RSC Programs, Finance Department; Human Resources Department; Logistics/Supply Chain
External: UNHCR, local government authorities e.g., camp commander, Camp Committee, Justice Committee, NGOs and CBOs.

Job Requirements:

Education: University degree in Law.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience with Thai laws and/or the Thai Judicial system.
• Direct experience in legal case management.
• Experience assisting displaced people is highly desirable.
• Experience in legal, protection, and human rights issues, especially in humanitarian protection.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent communication, legal counselling, and legal case management skills.
• Ability to multitask and handle sensitive issues effectively.
• Competent in dealing with traumatized individuals in a compassionate manner.
• Computer literate.

Language Skills:

• Fluent in Thai.
• Good command of English.
• Knowledge of Karen or Burmese is an advantage.

Other:

• Understanding of displaced person issues both in and outside camp situations.
• Awareness of the political effects on quality of life.
• Able to travel regularly to the refugee camps and along the Thailand – Myanmar border.

Working Environment:

This position will be based in office in Mae Hong Son with regular travel to refugee camps in Mae Hong Son and other places while providing legal and case management services. The travel to the Thailand – Myanmar border area as required.

Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.