Legal Officer

Context/Reporting line:
Under the general guidance of the Chief of Mission (CoM), the overall supervision of the Head, Community
stabilization Unit (CSU) and the direct supervision of Program Coordinator (Legal Support), the successful
candidate will be responsible for supporting the oversight of all aspects of legal assistance projects in Iraq.
Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Support the Program Coordinator (Legal Support) in development, management, and implementation
   of legal assistance projects for displaced populations and host community members, including the
   thematic areas of Housing, Land and Property (HLP), access to justice, civil documentation, facilitated
   returns and durable solutions.
2. Support the supervision and coordination of the work of national staff in the Community Stabilization
   Unit-Legal.
3. Contribute to the development of legal assistance strategies for displaced populations in and out of
   camps, including in the context of return and reintegration, access to government services, issues
   concerning documentation and movement restrictions.
4. Actively contribute to strengthening referral systems and networks. Oversee legal case-management
   activities and when required, coordination of response to individual cases of concern.
5. Mentor CSU Legal staff on technical and strategic issues related to legal programming and HLP-related
   support, as required.
6. Collaborate with IOM’s Protection Unit, Return and Recovery Unit, Reparation and Social Cohesion
   teams on joint programming and coordinated activities in and outside of camp settings.
7. Support the Program Coordinator (Legal Support) in liaison and coordination with Government and
   non-Government stakeholders for development of strategies to support the ongoing and new legal
   assistance activities of IOM across Iraq.
8. Assess the training needs on legal issues and capacity building among IOM field staff, implementing
   partners and other stakeholders, and provide training, as necessary.
9. Support the Program Coordinator (Legal Support) in providing technical inputs in the development
   of relevant legal assistance projects, proposals, plans and strategies, as required.
   IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Applications from qualified female
   candidates are especially encouraged, as well as the internal and external candidates are eligible to
   apply to this vacancy. For the purpose of the vacancy, the internal candidates are considered as
   first-tier candidates.
10. Participate and engage actively in legal assistance and protection-focused seminars and other relevant
    meetings, as required.
11. Assist in drafting reports covering legal assistance related activities; prepare briefings,
    statistical/narrative reports and background notes including specific information requested by IOM,
    Government stakeholders, and other entities.
12. Provide updates on program issues, including regular risk analysis and recommendations for
    operational improvement of legal assistance programming to the Legal Program Coordinator.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
    Required Qualifications
    Education:
     Master’s degree in Law, Humanitarian Affairs, International Affairs, Political Science, Human
    Rights, Development Studies, or a related field from an academic accredit university or institute with
    2 years of relevant professional experience, or bachelor’s degree in the mentioned fields with 4 years
    of relevant professional experience.
    Experience and Skills:
     Experience in working on humanitarian affairs, legal assistance (civil documentation and HLP),
    emergency preparedness, protection, and human rights.
     Experience in providing direct assistance to vulnerable individuals.
     Experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/international institutions, and
    NGOs, as well as in the Region, is an asset; and,
     Working experience with an operational UN agency or a major international NGO in the field of
    legal, protection, and assistance of refugees, IDPs and migrants.
    Languages:
     Fluency in English is required.
     Fluency in Arabic, Kurdish and any other language is an advantage.
    Behavioral Competencies
     Work prioritization and ability to multitask.
     Share’s knowledge and experience.
     Positive, constructive attitude.
     Ability to work and act under pressure with discretion in politically sensitive environment with a
    minimum of comfort.
     Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
     Ready to work independently, under tight deadlines.
     Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
     Ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment with a positive attitude.
     Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
     Strives for supportive working environment and positive working relationship.
     Creates a respectful office environment free of harassment, retaliation, and promotes the prevention
    of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).