The ICLA Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the NRC’s Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) programme. The role ensures beneficiaries, especially displaced persons, receive legal support to access and claim their civil documentation and housing, land, and property (HLP) rights.
Given the sensitive nature of legal case responsibilities, female candidates will be given priority.
What you will do:
- Adhere to NRC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines.
- Assist with the implementation of the Protection portfolio according to plan of action and establish procedures and best practices.
- Ensure proper filing of documents.
- Responsible for organizing and delivery of tasks in line with priorities and standards.
- Use initiative in day-to-day problem solving in line with agreed procedures, priorities and standards for the area of work.
Specifically, you will:
- Provide mobile legal assistance to beneficiaries who are unable to claim or realize their Registration/Civil Documentation (RCD) or Housing, Land & Property (HLP) rights on their own, through legal representation in court, representation in administrative proceedings, or through Collaborative Dispute Resolution (CDR) methods e.g. negotiation on behalf of beneficiaries.
- Assess the need for provision of financial assistance to vulnerable IDPs and returnees to cover administrative or legal fees, or transportation allowance to attend administrative or court proceedings.
- Provide legal counsel in targeted communities
- Input and update beneficiary data into ICLA’s case management tools and periodically disaggregate and analyze data gathered during legal assistance activities in order to identify trends.
- Compile up-to-date information on relevant RCD & HLP laws, procedures, and practices.
- Advocate for recognition of the RCD & HLP rights of displaced persons when engaging with stakeholders, including building owners, local authorities and humanitarian partners.
- Undertake regular monitoring & evaluation of ICLA activities, and contribute to monthly progress reports on activities, highlighting any technical or operational successes.
Professional competencies
Generic professional competencies:
- Experience working in a similar role in a humanitarian/recovery context
- Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
- Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
- Fluency in Arabic is essential; proficiency in English is preferred.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, analytical and negotiation skills
- Proven skills and experience in report writing, and representing an organization in public forums
- Ability to priorities responsibilities, carry out multiple tasks simultaneously, and meet deadlines
Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience:
- A University degree in law, and a license to practice law in Iraq
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience with legal representation in civil law matters in Iraqi courts, including familiarity with RCD and/or HLP laws, procedures and practices operative in Iraq
- Demonstrable experience in negotiating with government authorities and/or building owners, and in advancing the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries before such stakeholders
- Demonstrable experience in negotiating with government authorities and/or building owners, and in advancing the interests of vulnerable beneficiaries before such stakeholders
- Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.
