Fresher Legal Officer US Non-profit Careers – International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Organization: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Duty Station: Uganda
About US:
The International Rescue Committee helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. It was created by Albert Einstein more than 80 years and has been working in Uganda since 1998. It has particularly working in the conflict zones where tens of thousands of people have been kills and over 1.6 million displaced. Following a peace agreement in 2006, Ugandans are returning home and looking to rebuild their lives. The IRC is there to protect women and children from violence and exploitation by fostering a safe environment and encouraging education, and is supporting farmers and small businesses, and helping communities promote peace and long-term development.
Job Summary: The Legal Officer will identify legal needs in the field; provide counseling, information and legal options. The Legal Officer will be responsible for conducting legal information sessions, legal case management and follow ups, detention facility visits, awareness creation on rights and obligations of refugees under Ugandan Laws. She/he will work with communities particularly Paralegals to ensure access to legal assistance is accessible by all. You will be part of an integrated protection team, working on issues on general protection and sexual and gender based violence issues.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Monitor and support Community Paralegals in alternative dispute resolution activities and legal case management.
- Together with Protection Officers support community leadership structures, especially the Neighbourhood watch committees in their crime prevention and response functions.
- Undertake regular monitoring and visits of detention and prison facilities
- Provide legal counseling, information and available legal options to refugees and other persons of concern.
- Conduct legal information sessions on human rights and key Laws relating to protection of refugees and other persons of concern.
- Conduct case management and follow up on legal cases with relevant authorities.
- Closely work with Police to provide necessary assistance to survivors and witnesses.
- Submit daily and weekly data, including narrative of high risk cases to inform appropriate actions.
- Participate in legal trainings for state and none state actors as directed by the Senior Legal Officer
- Support Senior Legal Officer to analyze data, highlight trends and legal protection needs of refugees and other persons of concern.
- Work on budgets and raise PRs to support procurement processes.
- Ensure CommCare is used efficiently
- Participate in external meetings aimed at promoting access to justice for refugees and legal assistance such as district coordination committee meetings, Zonal meetings involving UNHCR, OPM and partners.
- Work closely with the Protection Officers to ensure linkages and referrals are done in a safe, effective and timely manner.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Legal Officer job must hold a University degree in Law from a recognized university. Diploma holders in law from a recognized institution with demonstrable work experience in the field of law may be considered.
- At least two years of prior professional experience in a similar post, preferably with an international organization, a law firm or human rights organization
- Understanding of human rights and issues relating to gender equality
- Strong written and verbal communication ability in English
- Ability to gain trust and build relationships with new communities.
- Good understanding of Ugandan and Refugee Law;
- Basic computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Experience in regular report writing.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently.
- Flexible and able to work in a dynamic and diverse environment
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates should send updated CVs, cover letters and filled application form, download here, clearly indicating “Legal Officer – Kyaka II” as the subject to: UA-IRCJobs@rescue.org (The Human Resource and Administration department, International Rescue Committee)
Deadline: 31st January 2019
: List of Current Job Vacancies / Opportunities in Uganda