Legal Officer

[Baghdad,Iraq ]

Position Title: Legal Officer (Two Position)

Reports To: Project Coordinator

Location: Baghdad

Closing Date: 11/11/2021

About Heartland Alliance International

Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) mission is to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. HAI envisions a world in which those whose rights have been violated are safe and empowered to actively engage in their communities and be at the forefront of social change.  In Iraq, HAI provides holistic services focusing on psychosocial support, legal aid, violence prevention, livelihoods strengthening, and social cohesion to diverse vulnerable populations.

 

About the Project

The Project: Heartland Alliance International (HAI), is implementing a project for combatting trafficking in persons in Iraq, project called Aman: Combating Severe Forms of TIP in Iraq. The project seeks to work with the Iraqi government to more effectively protect victims of trafficking and prosecute traffickers. Project activities will be implemented in Baghdad and other governorates, except the KRI governorates. The project consists of three interrelated and mutually-reinforcing objectives: Objective 1: Victims of trafficking (VoTs) and their children have improved access to comprehensive protection services.; Objective 2: Law enforcement officers and judicial officials utilize victim-centered approaches to handle trafficking cases involving both foreign and Iraqi VoTs.; Objective 3: Legal frameworks and implementing mechanisms are modified and strengthened to be fully enforceable.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  The Lawyer will be based in Baghdad, Iraq with frequent travel to project target locations and will work directly under the supervision of the project coordinator and project manager to provide legal services for Victim of Trafficking in Persons (VoTs) in line with the project work plan and in accordance with HAI and donor’s standards and requirements. The lawyer will specifically responsible on the following activities:

·         Identify VoTs, interview them, obtain power of attorney and represent their cases in the courts, government and security officials as needed.

·         Ensure completion of case intake forms of legal cases and regularly update the case trackers and other data collection tools.

·         Present evidence to best defend VoTs and prosecute perpetrators in criminal or civil litigation.

·         Conduct individual sessions providing legal information and legal counseling for the potential VoTs and their dependents.

·         Advocate with different institutions and services providers to help VoTs to access needed resources and services.

·         Participate in staff meetings, team building, and technical training and supervision meetings.               

·         Assist the coordinator and project team in maintaining legal case documentation and oversee the development of case summaries;

·         Ensure monitoring and evaluation activities and reporting meet HAI’s standards and are completed on schedule;

·         Supports compilation and writing of daily, monthly and quarterly updates.

 

Coordination

 

·         Coordinates with all stakeholders (Local authority, NGOs, etc.) and seeks out new partnerships and collaborations to improve service delivery.

·         Participate in coordination meetings with working group dedicated to implement the national Action Plan in Iraq.

·         Develop and maintain effective working relationship with stakeholders including partner agencies, local authorities, community leaders, NGOs and other service providers to improve service delivery.

Position Title: Legal Officer (Two Position)

Reports To: Project Coordinator

Location: Baghdad

Closing Date: 11/11/2021

About Heartland Alliance International

Heartland Alliance International’s (HAI) mission is to secure the rights and well-being of marginalized people and communities. HAI envisions a world in which those whose rights have been violated are safe and empowered to actively engage in their communities and be at the forefront of social change.  In Iraq, HAI provides holistic services focusing on psychosocial support, legal aid, violence prevention, livelihoods strengthening, and social cohesion to diverse vulnerable populations.

 

About the Project

The Project: Heartland Alliance International (HAI), is implementing a project for combatting trafficking in persons in Iraq, project called Aman: Combating Severe Forms of TIP in Iraq. The project seeks to work with the Iraqi government to more effectively protect victims of trafficking and prosecute traffickers. Project activities will be implemented in Baghdad and other governorates, except the KRI governorates. The project consists of three interrelated and mutually-reinforcing objectives: Objective 1: Victims of trafficking (VoTs) and their children have improved access to comprehensive protection services.; Objective 2: Law enforcement officers and judicial officials utilize victim-centered approaches to handle trafficking cases involving both foreign and Iraqi VoTs.; Objective 3: Legal frameworks and implementing mechanisms are modified and strengthened to be fully enforceable.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  The Lawyer will be based in Baghdad, Iraq with frequent travel to project target locations and will work directly under the supervision of the project coordinator and project manager to provide legal services for Victim of Trafficking in Persons (VoTs) in line with the project work plan and in accordance with HAI and donor’s standards and requirements. The lawyer will specifically responsible on the following activities:

·         Identify VoTs, interview them, obtain power of attorney and represent their cases in the courts, government and security officials as needed.

·         Ensure completion of case intake forms of legal cases and regularly update the case trackers and other data collection tools.

·         Present evidence to best defend VoTs and prosecute perpetrators in criminal or civil litigation.

·         Conduct individual sessions providing legal information and legal counseling for the potential VoTs and their dependents.

·         Advocate with different institutions and services providers to help VoTs to access needed resources and services.

·         Participate in staff meetings, team building, and technical training and supervision meetings.               

·         Assist the coordinator and project team in maintaining legal case documentation and oversee the development of case summaries;

·         Ensure monitoring and evaluation activities and reporting meet HAI’s standards and are completed on schedule;

·         Supports compilation and writing of daily, monthly and quarterly updates.

 

Coordination

 

·         Coordinates with all stakeholders (Local authority, NGOs, etc.) and seeks out new partnerships and collaborations to improve service delivery.

·         Participate in coordination meetings with working group dedicated to implement the national Action Plan in Iraq.

·         Develop and maintain effective working relationship with stakeholders including partner agencies, local authorities, community leaders, NGOs and other service providers to improve service delivery.

Essential

 

·         A bachelor degree in law

·         Minimum five years’ experience in providing legal aid services in humanitarian settings (minimum Level C)

·         Member of the Iraqi Bar Association.

·         Strong analytical skills;

·         A broad network of contacts and ability to navigate within the legislative and judicial fields in Baghdad and the KRI and across various ministries;

·         A strong commitment to human rights and to implementation of international law.

·         Demonstrated understanding of protection and ethical principles in humanitarian programming.

·         Experience with Windows platform, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.

·         Excellent oral communication skills.

·         Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to proactively problem solve and find solutions

·         Proven ability to calmly, professionally, and successfully manage multiple priorities

·         Excellent drafting and oral communication skills in Arabic and English.

·         Internet and Emailing skills.

·         Ability to work as a member of a team essential and promote teamwork, comfortable in a multicultural environment.

·         Positive, professional attitude, organized and prioritizes work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.

 

 

Language Skills: Please select a level of proficiency required for this position for each language listed; If the language proficiency is not required please select “none”

 

English Proficiency Level Required: Advanced

Arabic Proficiency Level Required: Advanced

 

Other Skills and Qualifications (required):

 

·         Excellent oral communication skills

·         Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills, with the ability to proactively problem solve and find solutions

 

 

·         Experience with Windows platform, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.

·         Experience in working on online databases.

 

Competencies required for the job

Personal Competencies: Collaborative spirit and ability to work independently as well as in a team; commitment to knowledge sharing and teamwork; positive attitude and ability to see through challenges to find solutions; and strong interpersonal skills and an ability to clearly communicate, including complex concepts into layperson language.

 

Resilience: This project will address sensitive issues. Interested applicants should have a strong commitment to addressing the issues with cultural sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality.  Candidates should be flexible, have a sense of humor and patience.

 

Work Environment:

·         Demonstrates initiative and is comfortable working in a group, as well as independently.

Please send cover letter (1 page maximum) explaining your interest and how your experience meets the qualifications required and a CV, to HR bamboo system                                                                   

 https://heartlandalliance.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=583

 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back from us within 4 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful

 

 

 

Heartland Alliance makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization’s AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.