The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide appropriate, rights-based assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, and migrants. DRC has been present in Colombia since 2011, but in 2018 it expanded its operations in response to the Venezuelan crisis. Currently, DRC Colombia is implementing a protection-focused humanitarian response for Venezuelan refugees and migrants, as well as returning Colombians, in Colombian cities such as Riohacha, Barranquilla, and Bogotá. It is also currently expanding its activities to Nariño and Norte de Santander.
Job overview :
The Legal Assistance Specialist is part of the ProLAC regional team. ProLAC is an ECHO-funded initiative that implements a harmonized protection monitoring system, aiming to provide up-to-date protection analyses to inform humanitarian response and advocacy efforts in Latin America. ProLAC also supports its partners in the region in strengthening their capacity to conduct protection analyses. The Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the integration of a legal perspective into ProLAC’s protection analyses and strengthening the integration of legal assistance into the initiative’s analytical outputs. They will also design and deliver legal training for ProLAC partners and provide technical support to partner organizations with legal assistance programs. Furthermore, they will be responsible for producing regional newsletters on legal assistance and preparing legal input for regional and international human rights mechanisms, contributing to highlighting protection trends and challenges in accessing rights for affected populations. The Specialist will work closely with the ProLAC Coordinator, Analysis Specialist, and Advocacy Advisor to support the implementation of ProLAC’s Regional Advocacy Plan, collaborating with key stakeholders in the region and providing analysis and recommendations from a legal perspective. They will also work in coordination with the Capacity Building team to support the design and implementation of technical training for ProLAC partners. The Specialist will participate, as appropriate, in the ProLAC Technical Committee on matters within their area of ​​expertise.
Responsibilities:
- Analysis
Contribute specialized inputs in legal assistance to the analysis and preparation of ProLAC’s analysis products.
Periodically prepare regional analyses of legal assistance needs using the Legal Aid Analytical Framework (LAAF).
To periodically monitor changes in legal and regulatory frameworks related to international protection, migration, internal displacement and access to justice in Latin America.
Prepare ad hoc update reports on relevant changes in the legal and regulatory environment of the countries where ProLAC operates.
Analyze legislation, public policies, jurisprudence and other relevant regulatory developments to identify trends, risks and opportunities that strengthen ProLAC’s protection analyses.
- Capacity building
To provide guidance and technical support to ProLAC implementing partners to strengthen the quality of their legal assistance activities and promote the incorporation of a rights-based approach into their programming.
Design and deliver capacity-building processes on legal issues aimed at ProLAC partners.
Provide technical advice to strengthen the integration of the legal approach in the analyses, products and tools developed by ProLAC.
To provide technical support to partner organizations in strengthening their legal assistance programs.
Coordinate closely with the Capacity Building team to identify training needs and develop technical content related to legal assistance.
- Incidence
To contribute to the implementation of ProLAC’s Regional Advocacy Plan from a legal and human rights perspective.
Prepare legal analyses and inputs for position papers , technical notes, recommendations, and other advocacy products.
Lead the preparation of contributions for calls for inputs from the United Nations Special Rapporteurs, treaty bodies and the Inter-American Human Rights System.
Identify opportunities to strengthen ProLAC’s advocacy efforts through regional and international human rights mechanisms and other spaces.
Maintain technical dialogue with national human rights institutions, international mechanisms and other specialized actors to exchange information and analysis on relevant legal and regulatory developments.
Provide legal analysis and recommendations to strengthen ProLAC’s advocacy positions and recommendations.
- Other responsibilities
Participate, when required, in the ProLAC Technical Committee, providing specialized advice in legal assistance and legal analysis.
Perform other functions as assigned by the ProLAC Manager.
Experience:
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in humanitarian projects of protection and/or legal assistance at the national and/or international level
Proven experience in the analysis of legal and regulatory frameworks related to forced displacement, human mobility, international protection and access to justice.
Excellent knowledge of International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Refugee Law, as well as the United Nations Universal System and the Inter-American Human Rights System.
Proven experience in preparing high-quality legal analyses, technical reports, and other analytical products, with the ability to collect, interpret, and analyze qualitative and quantitative information.
Experience in protection analysis and Protection Information Management (PIM), including the use of analytical frameworks to identify risks, trends, and protection needs.
Experience in preparing inputs for national, regional and international human rights mechanisms, including the United Nations System and/or the Inter-American Human Rights System.
Experience in the design and delivery of capacity building processes on legal assistance and protection using adult learning methodologies.
Experience providing technical advice to civil society organizations, humanitarian actors and/or public institutions on legal assistance and protection.
Knowledge and experience working with refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable populations in Latin America.
Proficiency in tools for data analysis and visualization, legal research, and information management in humanitarian contexts (e.g., Excel, Kobo, Power BI, GIS, or other relevant tools).
Proven experience in organizing and facilitating training and capacity building processes.
Excellent written communication, oral presentation, and facilitation skills.
Excellent coordination and collaborative work skills in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with partner organizations, public institutions, international bodies and other relevant actors from a technical perspective.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, set clear goals and meet tight deadlines.
High level of organization, autonomy and attention to detail.
Commitment to continuous learning.
Technical skills
Proven experience in legal research, data analysis, and writing technical reports and analytical products.
Ability to analyze legislation, public policies and jurisprudence, identifying their implications for the protection of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons.
Experience in applying the Global Protection Cluster’s (GPC) Protection Analytical Framework (PAF) and Legal Aid Analytical Framework (LAAF), or demonstrated ability to apply similar analytical frameworks.
Solid knowledge of international protection principles and standards and ability to integrate them into technical analyses and operational recommendations.
Excellent legal writing skills and ability to prepare technical documents for national, regional, and international organizations.
Education
A postgraduate university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in Law, International Human Rights Law, International Law, Refugee Law, or other similar disciplines. A relevant combination of academic training and professional experience may be considered in lieu of a postgraduate degree.
Languages:
Fluent in Spanish and advanced level of English, both spoken and written.
All DRC roles require the holder to master basic DRC competencies:
Achieving excellence: focusing on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes
Collaboration: involve relevant parties and encourage feedback
Taking the initiative: taking ownership and initiative while pursuing innovation
Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly
Demonstration of integrity: acting in accordance with DRC’s vision and values
We offer:
The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs worldwide.
Access to over 1,000 free online training courses and certificates.
Prepaid medical insurance, 100% coverage of the policy for the employee and a special price for beneficiaries.
National fixed-term contract for work or labor with all legal benefits possible.
Salary starting at $7,018,000 depending on the candidate’s experience and skills.
Start date: August 2026
Salary and conditions in accordance with the terms of employment in Colombia.
Application process
All applicants must upload only a cover letter (1 page) and an updated resume (not exceeding 3 pages). No other supporting documents will be accepted through this channel.
Application closing date: July 28, 2026 at 11:59 am Local Time.
We want you to be part of our team!
At DRC, we believe that diversity strengthens our teams and that each person brings valuable skills, experiences, and perspectives. Therefore, we especially encourage people with reduced mobility who meet the job requirements to apply and participate in our selection processes.
Our commitment is to evaluate each candidate based on their skills, experience, and potential. If you require any reasonable accommodations or support during the selection process to participate on equal terms, please let us know. We will be happy to provide you with the necessary support so you can participate fully.
By applying, you are understood to have immediate availability to work and the ability to travel occasionally to the organization’s intervention areas. 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 vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified. If you are interested in this position, we recommend applying as soon as possible.
Note 1: DRC reserves the right to hire a candidate who fits the required profile before the indicated deadline.
Note 2: Applicants to this call for applications authorize DRC to validate the personal information provided in their resume. Their identity will be checked against public and private databases for the sole purpose of verifying the information, in accordance with our anti-fraud, anti-money laundering, and counter-terrorism financing policies.
Note 3: Applicants who freely and voluntarily wish to participate in the selection process for the position in this call for applications must strictly adhere to the applicable regulations (suitability of the presented qualifications, personal and individual performance of tests, and truthfulness of information), adhering to DRC’s anti-fraud manuals and policies, under penalty of disqualification for any applicant who engages in any irregularity, as determined by the organization, even based on mere suspicion, and even for possible criminal conduct under Colombian law.
How to apply
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