Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move and vulnerable local population. host communities. DRC is currently seeking a highly qualified Legal Aid Officer based in Guasdualito, Venezuela.
About work:
DRC is managing its operations in Venezuela, under the direction of the country office in Caracas and three field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure and Zulia. DRC Venezuela is implementing activities such as protection monitoring, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for PWSN, briefings for PoC, prevention of human trafficking, rehabilitation of health infrastructure and food security.
General description of the position :
The main objective of the Legal Aid Officer is to implement legal activities within the framework of the DRC Protection program. Under the supervision of the Protection Manager, he will implement legal aid activities and is responsible for providing legal advice and case management to restore the rights of refugees, migrants and returnees in civil, administrative and constitutional matters. He is responsible for the implementation of briefings on legal issues in close collaboration with the Protection team.
Main Responsibilities
This role has an area focus and ensures compliance with legal assistance/advice objectives under DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the performance of action plans and provides technical support and guidance for legal operations in the field.
- Work in close cooperation with the DRC Protection team and respond to documented legal needs.
- Implement advisory activities and legal services in accordance with the target objectives of the projects.
- Prepare advisory documents and legal services, determining the best strategy for beneficiary cases.
- Implement legal advice and services in the areas selected by the program according to the monthly plan established by the Protection Manager.
- Plan and provide individual appointments for legal advice to persons of interest, as needed.
- Collect information from beneficiaries, managing files in a confidential and complete manner; regularly transfer relevant information to the legal database to allow the monitoring of identified or referred legal cases.
- Provide individual advice on Protection issues, including international protection, family reunification, civil registration and nationality, affiliation in the social security system, access to health, education and housing and other civil and administrative law cases that require legal assistance;
- Accompany beneficiaries to public institutions as necessary;
- Support the Protection Manager in the development of strategies and standard procedures to facilitate the implementation of legal activities.
- Maintain good relations with the relevant public entities and institutions so that coordination and articulation is strengthened.
- Provide information for weekly reports as required by the Protection Manager.
- Actively participate in team meetings by providing input, challenges, and lessons learned.
Programming and Operations
- Ensure the efficient and effective implementation of legal activities on the ground.
- Address beneficiaries’ needs for legal advice and services.
Experience and skills:
- Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience as a lawyer;
- Undergraduate in Law, with experience in constitutional law/refugee law/human rights. Demonstrable experience in defining legal strategy, case monitoring and litigation.
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Excellent skills to work with tablets and computers.
- Excellent skills in MS Word and Excel.
- Willingness and ability to learn.
- High professional ethics
- Team work facility.
Desirable:
- Calm and diplomatic character;
- Work experience in humanitarian or human rights NGOs;
- Proactive aptitude;
- Having worked in the region of intervention or knowing the territorial context.
Educational level: Undergraduate in Law, with experience in constitutional law/refugee law/human rights. Demonstrable experience in defining legal strategy, case monitoring and litigation.
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs in the world.
- Access to more than 1,000 free online trainings and certificates.
- Contract duration: according to budget availability.
- Salary: Band H.
- HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
- Start date: March/April 2024
DRC Core Competencies:
- Achieve excellence – focus on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration: involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Take initiative – Take ownership and initiative while pursuing innovation.
- Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstration of Integrity – Acting in accordance with the DRC vision and values.
Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV ( max. 2 pages, without supports ) in Spanish, to the DRC employment platform. Applications sent by email will not be considered.
Application closing date : Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 11:59 pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy prior to the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.