Protection Legal Counsellor At GOAL

General Description of the Programme:

GOAL an International Humanitarian Organisation has had a presence in Turkey since 2013 and has been contributing to the migrant response since 2016 with a focus on responding to needs in health service delivery, social safety nets and the protection of vulnerable and marginalised migrants in southern Turkey.

GOAL has been working in Syria since 2013, responding to the acute needs of conflict-affected communities. GOAL is working in Idleb Governate, both through direct implementation and through partners, delivering food, non-food programming to highly vulnerable populations, and provision of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) through support to Water units, as well as emergency support to recently displaced households.

GOAL has been working in North Aleppo Governate since 2019, through direct implementation and through partners, delivering food, non-food programming to highly vulnerable populations, as well as emergency support for recently displaced household.

GOAL has two projects (ECHO funded LINK and PRM funded GREEN) in Turkey, LINK program targets refugees from nomadic / semi-nomadic backgrounds and those engaged in seasonal agricultural labor. LINK has been designed to address and mitigate protection concerns of the vulnerable / marginalized refugees through provision of critical information and raising their awareness on their rights, obligations and services available in Turkey, by sensitization/advocacy (targeting key stakeholders and service providers, etc.) activities, and Individual Protection Assistance (IPA) services to enable highly vulnerable refugees to access to basic, social and protective services available under the provisions of Temporary and International Protection regulations in Turkey. On the other hand, Green program aims to improve socioeconomic inclusion, resilience and self-sufficiency of highly vulnerable/excluded women and girls from host and refugee communities (Syrians as well as those living in program locations under the international protection regulation) including nomadic communities and seasonal agriculture workers from both communities through integrated and market driven livelihood opportunities and protection services, including language courses and vocational skills training on greenhouse production and agriculture; case management (CM)/coaching services, establishment of a women cooperative, protection outreach, information provision and awareness raising; and provision of special needs and individual protection assistance services.

Job purpose:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Program Manager, Protection Legal Counsellors (3) will be responsible ensure quality implementation of legal protection activities in respective program locations (Şanlıurfa, Hatay and Mersin)

Duties, objectives, and competencies

• Provide legal and other relevant information to beneficiaries in person, on the phone and by email etc.
• Research individual cases, assess problems and identify possible courses of action together with the client.
• Provide awareness raising session legal content, keep it updated, train the Protection Team to disseminate the information.
• Ensure that at all times beneficiaries are aware of what options are available to them and that they are empowered to pursue chosen options and assisted to access resources.
• Produce information for protection publications, leaflets etc.
• Advocate and make representations to mainstream service providers on behalf of beneficiaries.
• Refer beneficiaries to other sources of help, for example solicitors, social workers or special case workers who may represent the client in court, at tribunals or other official bodies.
• Liaise with other internal departments and external organizations on behalf of beneficiaries.
• Keep up to date with appropriate legislation and policies regarding Syrian refugees and refugees living in Turkey in general.
• Interpret and explain legislation, official documents, or the content of letters to beneficiaries.
• To work on a flexible basis by performing other tasks not included above, but as necessitated by the needs and changing circumstances.
• To keep up to date with legislation and policy relevant to the post to ensure effectiveness and competence in delivering a high-quality service.
• To work in partnership with service providers and key stakeholders to provide a holistic approach to meet service beneficiaries needs.
• In coordination with team leadership, assist with broader advocacy efforts as requested by collecting case data, writing reports, briefings, articles, and case profiles.
• Understand and follow up on activities and assess progress of implementation, provide solutions and report issues when needed
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships, including service as referral focal points, with relevant stakeholders including partner agencies, community leaders and service providers
• Participate in IPA meetings
• Support Protection staff through the provision of technical support and guidance on legal aid.
• Contribute to monthly and ad hoc reports.
• Ensure impartiality, and confidentiality of beneficiaries, at all times, is respected
• Any other duties related to the nature of the job as directed by the supervisor.

Requirements (essential)

• Turkish Citizenship
• University in Law degree; ability to practice law in Turkey, active member of Turkish Bar Association.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written in English and Turkish. Arabic is an asset.
• Experience of community-based programs, social work and/or field case management experience,
• 2-3 years’ work experience in NGO (in paid or voluntary capacity) preferably experience in Southeast of Turkey and/or with semi-nomadic groups is an asset.
• Understands rights and protection issues of refugees, children, and women.
• Proven communication, interpersonal, representation skills.
• Level of knowledge and practice with Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. required.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behavior of a GOAL staff or partner.

General terms and conditions

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults a must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, Code of Conduct, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. Any published closing dates are estimated. Due to the nature of GOAL’s work we aim to fill vacancies as quickly as possible. This means that we will close adverts as soon as we have found the right candidate and this may be before the published closing date. We would therefore advise interested applicants to submit an application as early as possible.

Thank you.