The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in over 40 countries to provide appropriate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move, and vulnerable local populations/host communities. DRC is currently seeking a highly qualified Legal Aid Officer based in Santa Bárbara del Zulia, Venezuela.
About the 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 people with disabilities, information sessions for proof of identity (PoC), prevention of human trafficking, rehabilitation of health infrastructure, and food security.
Job description
The primary objective of the Legal Aid Officer is to implement legal activities within the framework of DRC’s Protection program. Under the supervision of the Protection Monitoring Team Leader, the Legal Aid Officer will implement legal aid activities and is responsible for providing legal advice and case management to restore the civil, administrative, and constitutional rights of refugees, migrants, and returnees. They are also responsible for conducting informational sessions on legal topics in close collaboration with the protection team.
Main Responsibilities:
This role has an area focus and ensures the fulfillment of legal assistance/advice objectives under DRC procedures and guidelines within the area. The role contributes to the implementation 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 requirements;
- Implement advisory and legal services activities in accordance with the project goals;
- Prepare legal advice and services documents, determining the best strategy for beneficiary cases under the supervision of the Protection Monitoring Team Leader.
- Implement legal advice and services in the intervention areas selected by the program according to the established monthly plan;
- Plan and provide individual appointments for legal advice to persons of interest, as needed.
- Collect information from beneficiaries by managing files confidentially and completely; transfer relevant information daily to the legal database to allow tracking of identified or referred legal cases.
- Providing individual advice on protection issues including international protection, family reunification, civil registration and nationality, affiliation with 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 needed;
- Support the Protection Management in the development of standard strategies and procedures to facilitate the implementation of legal activities.
- Maintain good relations with relevant public entities and institutions to strengthen coordination and collaboration.
- Provide information for weekly reports as required.
- Actively participate in team meetings by providing input, challenges, and lessons learned.
Sectoral responsibilities
- Advocacy regarding the rights of persons of concern in the context of their displacement, legal advice and case management to restore the rights of refugees, migrants and returnees in civil, constitutional and administrative matters.
Programming and Operations
- Ensure the efficient and effective implementation of legal activities in the field.
- Addressing the legal advice and services needs of persons of interest
Experience and skills:
- Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience as a lawyer
- Undergraduate degree in Law, with experience in constitutional law/refugee law/human rights.
- Demonstrable experience in defining legal strategy and monitoring cases.
- Excellent report writing skills
- Excellent skills for working with tablets and computers
- Excellent skills in MS Word and Excel
- Willingness and ability to learn
- Experience with standard procedures and guidelines
- High professional ethics
Education:
Law degree, with experience in constitutional law/refugee law/human rights. Demonstrable experience in legal strategy development, case management, and litigation.
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs worldwide.
- Access to over 1,000 free online training courses and certificates.
- Contract duration: subject to budget availability.
- Salary: Band H.
- HCM insurance fully covered by the organization.
DRC Core Competencies
- Striving for excellence: Focusing on achieving results while ensuring efficient processes.
- Collaboration: Involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
- Taking the initiative: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
- Communicate: Listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrate integrity: act in accordance with DRC’s vision and values.
Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter (max. 1 page) and an updated CV ( max. 2 pages, no supporting documents ) in Spanish to the DRC job platform. Applications submitted by email will not be considered.
Application deadline : Sunday, April 26th at 11:59 pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be reviewed continuously and interviews will be scheduled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the position before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
Start date: May 2026.
How to apply
Link to Application Form
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