Legal Assistant

Contract

This is a DRC - National contract. More about DRC - National contracts.

Legal Assitatant.

Founded in 1956, The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian, non-governmental, non-profit organization providing direct assistance to conflict-affected populations – refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs) and host communities – in more than 40 countries around the world. DRC has been implementing emergency response projects in Tanzania since the onset of the Burundi refugee crisis in 2015 in three refugee camps in the Kigoma Region at the border with Burundi. DRC’s integrated projects for refugees, asylum seekers and host communities comprise sectors such as Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM), Protection (CBP, PSN, GBV, CP and Legal), Shelter and infrastructure, and Economic Recovery.

Overall purpose of the role:

The paralegal in support with legal officer will raise awareness to PWS on humanitarian cases, assistance and offer legal aid to refugee/asylum seeker in Dar es Salaam. He/ She will organize trainings, work closely with partners in preparation of events for legal awareness and support adhoc humanitarian cases.

Main Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with legal officer, will provide legal advice and support to PWS.
• Work with legal officer in drafting legal documents and organizing case files, statutes, and other legal documents.
• Support the legal officer to respond to adhoc humanitarian assistance.
• Support the legal officer in raising awareness to refugees about GBV, child protection to refugees and asylum seekers.
• Directing PWS to legal help desk when in need of legal representation and advice.
• Work with Legal officer in preparing case details and preparing witnesses.
• Linking GBV victims to case management officer and with legal help desk for more awareness and assistance.
• Assist in preparing relevant reports as needed and share to legal officer.
• Conduct community visits, focus group discussions with beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries to receive feedback on project activities.
• Take over any other task designated by legal officer.
• Ensure DRC’s accountability commitments are mainstreamed into all protection activities.

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• Additional legal trainings will be an added advantage.
• Minimum two years of relevant experience in humanitarian context.
• Excellent knowledge of international refugee law and human rights law.
• Familiarity with judicial systems across Tanzania;
• Previous experience with electronic or mobile data collection software like KOBO Toolbox/Open Data Kit (ODK).
• Good understanding of the law and practice of the Tanzanian courts;
• Experience of working in host community will be an added advantage.
• Integrity, strong work ethic, and ability to consistently meet deadlines under pressure.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures.
• Full proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, as well as demonstrated experience in advanced data analysis or capacity to learn appropriate software.

Education

• Certificate/Diploma in law with additional legal training

Languages:

• Excellent proficiency in written and spoken English and Swahili,
• knowledge of Kirundi is an advantage

Information

Employment category: Grade I

Reporting to: Legal Officer

Technical line manager: Legal Team Leader

Direct reports: N/A

Unit/department: Protection

Location: Dar es Salaam

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• DRC Protection staff, refugees and donors
• Local Government and host Community representatives.
• Community groups.
• Other NGOs and relief actors.

Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

DRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff within its programs. As such, we strongly encourage national and diaspora candidates to apply for this position. However, candidates should take into consideration that DRC cannot employ, under an international contract, a national of the country in which he or she will be working (in this case, the United Republic of Tanzania)

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process.

Application and CV

Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered.

DRC only accepts applications sent via our online-application form on www.drc.ngo under JOB.