ICLA Research and Helpdesk Adviser Syria

Overview

Support NRC's ICLA programme through legal and human rights research, and helpdesk coordination.

You have:

• Senior level programming experience within human rights and humanitarian research in conflict/post-conflict environments.
• Experience practicing law and knowledgeable about relevant bodies of international human rights and refugee laws.
• Experience developing strategy guidance and legal policies with advanced research skills.
• Deep understanding and knowledge of the geopolitical context in Syria and the Middle East.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, and knowledge of the Arabic language is an added advantage.
• Strong technical knowledge of relevant bodies of international law, including international human right law, international humanitarian law and refugee law.
• Advanced research skills, including human rights field research, quantitative and qualitative methodologies and data visualization.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.

Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.

At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Together, we save lives and rebuild futures.

Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:

• treat everyone with respect and dignity

• contribute to building a safe environment for all

• never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)

• always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH

What we are looking for

Senior level programming experience within human rights and humanitarian research in conflict/post-conflict environments, coupled with experience practicing law and knowledgeable about relevant bodies of international human rights, humanitarian and refugee laws.

Experience developing strategy guidance and legal policies with advanced research skills including human rights research as well as quantitative and qualitative methodologies and data visualization.

Deep understanding and knowledge of the displacement and geopolitical context in Syria and the Middle East with experience in complex/crisis contexts including emergencies, highly politicized and restrictive environments

Coordination experience involving key stakeholders, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms, human rights actors, academic institutions and UN/NGOs.

Strong communication skills and ability to work diplomatically, building trust at different levels and experience within different cultural contexts requiring cultural sensitivity.

Candidates should be fluent in English, both written and verbal, and knowledge of the Arabic language is an added advantage for this position.

What you will do

The Research and Helpdesk Adviser will support the NRC’s Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) programme and advocacy and policy initiatives through legal and human rights research, and helpdesk coordination.

This role focuses on issues such as legal identity, civil documentation, housing/land/property (HLP), and employment-related legal barriers in displacement contexts, particularly Syria and the MENA region. Further, the position holder will coordinate and maintain functional relationships with teams implementing cross-border programming. The role includes technical guidance, stakeholder liaison, legal analysis, and internal capacity building to support NRC teams and partners. The role holder will ensure strong linkages to NRC’s policy and advocacy agenda.

Key responsibilities

• Contributing to ICLA strategy research priorities and implementation and providing strategic advice and guidance on ICLA programme to ensure high-quality and effective research products.
• Ensure a coordinated approach to ICLA research in Syria, under the direction of the ICLA Specialist and in close coordination with ICLA Adviser for the MENA region.
• Regular legal analysis and advice regarding key human rights trends and risks and how these may impact NRC current and planned activities in Syria. Provide regular updates and legal briefings to ICLA programme including both Syria and across MENA as well as donors and other key stakeholders on Syria related legal developments in close coordination with Policy, Advocacy and Communications (PAC) manager.
• In coordination with ICLA Specialist and PAC Manager, develop and monitor dissemination plans and strategy for ICLA research products and draft policy briefs, position papers and targeted advocacy tasks.
• Identifying potential partners and collaborators for ICLA Syria research, in coordination with the ICLA Specialist, including academic institutions, human rights organizations and think-tanks.
• Under the supervision of the ICLA Specialist, lead in overseeing the implementation of the regional grants directly linked to ICLA and coordinating with field teams across various countries' offices and provide regular progress reports to the ICLA Specialist.
• Lead cross-border coordination at the MENA level and provide information and updates to be used by NRC’s advocacy efforts and programme implementation.
• Explore and assess new and better ways to assist programme participants, as well as promote and share ideas for improvement and necessary changes in the activities.
• Capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills, as requested by ICLA Specialist, and collaborate with relevant key stakeholders.
• Promote the rights of IDPs/returnees in line with the advocacy strategy.

What you will bring

• Bachelor’s degree in law. Master's degree focused on international human rights laws is an added advantage.
• Minimum 3 years of experience from a senior level position in programming in human rights and humanitarian research in conflict/post-conflict environments, coupled with experience practicing law, preferably at least 3 years.
• Strong technical knowledge of relevant bodies of international law, including international human right law, international humanitarian law and refugee law.
• Strong experience in developing strategy guidance and legal policies.
• Advanced research skills, including human rights field research, and quantitative and qualitative methodologies and data visualization.
• Knowledge of the displacement and geopolitical context in Syria and the Middle East.
• Experience working and coordinating with key stakeholders, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms, human rights actors, academic institutions and UN/NGOs
• Strong communication skills and ability to build trust and confidently navigate both internally and externally at different levels as well as ability to work with diplomacy, tact and sensitivity and experience in working within different cultural contexts require cultural sensitivity.
• Experience in developing and delivering high quality human rights and research methodology training.
• Solid understanding and experience of crisis contexts and working in complex emergencies, in stressful, politicized and restrictive environments.
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal. Knowledge of Arabic language is an added advantage

• Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.

  Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position.

What we offer:

• Duty station: Damascus, Syria.
• Contract:12 months. Renewal based on funding and performance.
• Travel: 20-30% within areas of operation.
• Salary/benefits: Grade 8 of NRC's salary scale
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.

• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

  Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

  Important information about the application process

• All interested candidates matching the profile are welcome to apply.
• Internal candidates: To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email or click on Opportunity Marketplace.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your national identification card. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• We receive many applications for each vacant position and so only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email mero.recruitment@nrc.no with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

• The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

• NRC currently has over 3,000 staff across the Middle East dedicated to assisting people affected by conflict in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya and Palestine. Its humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter, Education, WASH, Livelihoods and Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) to vulnerable displaced people that were forced to flee.

  Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

• We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:
• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.

• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

  Learn more about NRC's operations in Syria here.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 8 months ago - Source: nrc.no