Legal Consultant

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 50 countries, the IRC aims to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions uprooted and struggling to endure.

Following a first assessment conducted in January 2017 in Italy and another one in July 2017, several critical protection gaps were identified within assistance provided to refugees and migrants in Italy: mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), assistance to unaccompanied children, information provision and legal support.

To respond to the identified gaps, IRC established a small presence in Italy. Programs in Italy include Refugee.Info, a web-based information platform, child protection programming targeting unaccompanied children and victims of trafficking, mentoring programs for the socio-economic inclusion of refugee youth, WPE, and education (social-emotional learning and healing classrooms).

Context of the Assignment

Under different projects across Italy, IRC staff provides legal information, both in person and online, and case management services to refugee and migrant populations and is often required to respond to complex legal questions.

Refugee.Info - IRC's digital information service - seeks to empower refugees and migrants to make informed decisions through the provision of accessible, responsive, and accurate information over digital channels. Through two-way communication tools, social media and a website, refugees and migrants can receive or find information on the Italian immigration system, access to rights, procedures, and services, or how to adjust to their new life in Italy in their first language.

Purpose of the Assignment

We are looking for a Legal Consultant who will ensure the highest standards of legal information provision are guaranteed to our clients across the IRC project portfolio, which includes Refugee.Info, emergency projects related to information delivery, and case management.

The Legal Consultant will provide advice to the IRC staff in migration and refugee law, on how to answer complex legal and procedural issues faced by clients, as well as review legal informative content to ensure the delivery of high-quality and accurate information.

If you genuinely understand the legal and humanitarian landscape and possess relevant professional expertise, we invite you to connect with us!

Scope of work

Specific objectives of the assignment

The Legal consultant will prepare and deliver legal updates and information sessions to IRC staff and review legal content for Refugee.Info and respond to clients’ and IRC staff’s questions on legal issues.

Deliverables

• Training and legal update sessions on migration and refugee law

• Review of legal written content drafted by IRC staff

• Answers to questions on legal matters

Timeframe

The assignment will last 7 months.

Proficiencies and skills

• Degree in Law

• Broad knowledge and understanding of International Human Rights and Refugee Law, as well as National Asylum and Immigration Law

• Proven track record in synthesizing complex legal information for the general public

• Personal qualities: Works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well

• Proficiency in English and Italian.

The role is open to remote.

Agreement and payment terms

The specific details of the agreement, including the scope of work, timelines, deliverables, intellectual property rights, and any other pertinent provisions, will be negotiated and outlined in the contractual agreement to ensure clarity, transparency, and mutual understanding between IRC and the consultant/group of consultants.

Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or tribe, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status, and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Qualifications