Legal Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally, or resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

At the end of September 2022, 3,636,668 Syrians under Temporary Protection (TP) in Türkiye, and more than 1,971,515 Syrian under TP are hosted in Southeast Türkiye. The situation in the Southeast is currently characterized by a much stricter approach to border management than in previous years. The admissions are limited to family reunification, medical cases, and humanitarian cases only. The growing hate speech and anti-refugee sentiment have dramatically grown in Turkish society, with several incidents since the beginning of the year. UNHCR monitors spontaneous returns to Syria, which take place through Cilvegozu, Zeytindali, and Yayladagi border gates in Hatay, Oncupinar in Kilis, Karkamis in Gaziantep and Akcakale border gates in Sanliurfa. No notable change is anticipated in the number of voluntary returns soon.

The expansion of the detention facilities, notably the Malatya Removal Centres, has led to many transfers of irregular migrants from various parts of the country to these facilities for removal to their countries of origin. Although Türkiye has received new arrivals from Ukraine, few have sought assistance from the State or humanitarian actors in the Southeast, while registration for newly arrived Afghans is restricted in some provinces.

The 2021/2022 refugees’ address verification has resulted in the deactivation of TP or IP cards for thousands of persons of concern, and its impact on the situation is yet to be determined. Further, on 6 June 2022, the PMM (Presidency of Migration Management) announced the closure of TP registration in all provinces for all unregistered persons except for certain categories of persons. This has created new and uncertain dynamics in operational response in the SE region where all TACs (Temporary Accommodation Centres) are located.

This UN Volunteer assignment will be with the Protection Unit, under the supervision of the Assistant Protection Officer, the focal point of the legal component and related detention and deportation aspects of the UNHCR Sub-Office Gaziantep, which has an area of responsibility covering ten provinces in Southeast Türkiye. The operations of the UNHCR Sub-Office Gaziantep support the Government of Türkiye under the Syria Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan and the Global Compact of Refugees. The aim of UNHCR is to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the Government of Türkiye to assist coordination and stakeholder engagement at the interagency and sectoral levels and promote state-led inclusive and localized coordination arrangements at the provincial and municipal levels.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Assistant Protection Officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Legal Assistant will:

• Ensure continuous communication and necessary follow-up with the Persons of Concern (PoCs), family members, and partners, and liaise with the lawyers. • Provide necessary technical counseling and advice to lawyers, or partners following up on the cases. Update and track the detention/deportation, registration, and other relevant databases. • Share informative sessions during training and assist in the preparation of activities on legal issues. • Conduct desk reviews and analysis on the current issues and recent changes in the legislation and legal practices. • Support the Sub-Office and the Protection Unit, in the working group, thematic, and/or operational meetings with stakeholders and prepare necessary Note for the Files (NFFs) and keep track on agreed action points. The UN Volunteer will assist in the preparation of thematic and operational reports. • Follow up and coordinate with the field units to respond to the protection and legal needs of the PoCs.
• Keep track of information on ProGres and TuranCore systems, follow up with relevant colleagues on the field for interventions with PDMMs and draft incident forms to be shared with relevant focal points at the country office in urgent cases that need prompt intervention at the central level.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers program mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

•Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); •Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. •Provide annual and end-of-assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
•Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. •Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers. •Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

•As an active UNHCR team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNHCR and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: •As a UNHCR member team, provide relevant and immediate information on detention cases to prevent deportation and to prepare advocacy points with the Government. •Support the NOA during the Legal counselling meeting, on the group work plan to update and follow up needed actions. •Follow up with the partners, UNHCR, and persons on their referrals on legal issues. •Support the quality and timely reporting of the protection unit, on the legal and protection aspects. •Quality periodic thematic reports on detention and deportation cases prepared, clear reporting about pushback, and gap analysis in the field. •Support the organization of consultation and technical workshops of 2024. •A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of stakeholders supported, activities participated in, and capacities developed.

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy, and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where an appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. • Teamwork and respect for diversity: the ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality, and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues. • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in expertise; ability to adapt to changes in the work environment. • Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options, and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity, and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

state institutions, civil society organizations, academia, and humanitarian or development agencies; volunteer or internship experience in these organizations is an advantage. • Experience in research and program support is an asset, as is experience or exposure to the operations of the UN or other international agencies with relevant programs. • Attention to detail, advanced level of analytical thinking. • Oral and written proficiency in English and Turkish, drafting and reporting skills. • Advanced interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners and authorities at various levels. • Potential to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; Interest to work in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, high interest in learning and openness to be trained; ability to work with clear deliverable in set time frames. • Have affinity with or interest in refugee protection and volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. • Experience in Bar Associations i.e., commissions are an asset. • Experience in delivering training and reporting on legal and procedural issues is a strong asset. • Experience as a lawyer/legal intern is recommended. • Experience in database management, and/or repositories is recommended. • Contextual and legal knowledge on principles and procedures pertaining to detention, deportation, temporary/ international protection regimes as well as •registration procedures and practices including but not limited to birth registration in Türkiye are required.

Gaziantep is a city of over 1.7 million with a high level of infrastructure. Health facilities, including hospitals with relatively high levels of care, are available locally although most medical staff and practitioners only communicate in Turkish and do not speak English, which can at times present barriers for international staff in accessing services. Although the operation is a family duty station, education is only offered in Turkish as there is no international school. Gaziantep is a (B) category duty station.

The access to accommodation, supply and transport facilities is relatively good. Apartments and flats are available and generally in good condition with working services such as water, gas, and electricity. In the recent period due to increasing numbers in the humanitarian community, the related rental costs have increased but are still relatively inexpensive. Leisure and recreational facilities are also available and accessible for expatriates. In general terms, in Türkiye and particularly in Gaziantep, it is very difficult to find Turkish people that can communicate in English therefore, as indicated above, one of the main challenges remains communication with the local community, as English is not widely spoken.

The work may require regular traveling within the AoR and occasionally to Ankara.The access to accommodation, supply, and transport facilities is at a high level. The incumbent is expected to find an accommodation independently or as in most cases assisted by real estate agents. Current operational circumstances require long working hours. Gaziantep enjoys a relatively calm context underscored by a low crime rate. The Turkish Security Apparatus is experienced, well-resourced, and effective. Burglary and petty theft are the most common crimes in the city. However, compared with recent years, there has been a relative decrease in street crimes. There are no known direct threats towards the United Nations and its staff in the area, but it is a rapidly changing security environment. UN staff in Gaziantep are advised to take the necessary precaution in line with established security measures.

The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials.

Summary of UNV Entitlements for National UN Volunteer (Specialist): • Current Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is USD 1224 (Paid in Turkish Lira) • Health, dental, life and dismemberment coverage by CIGNA. As per UN’s diplomatic mission status, it is not included in National Security Institution’s (SGK) system but can be initiated on private basis. • One-time payment USD 400 for entry allowance to cover relocation and relevant expenses • USD 100 per month for exit allowance upon the satisfactory completion of service • Several learning opportunities