Senior Justice & Peace Officer

Job Description

Organization Background Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development –bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua, Kasese, Kiryandongo and Kampala.

The IRC is implementing an EU funded project titled “Strengthening Integrated Systems to accelerate access to Gender, Child and Youth Justice” with the goal of promoting peaceful and safe coexistence under the rule of Law in Yumbe and Lamwo districts. funding from the European Union.

Job Overview The Senior Justice and Peace Officer will be responsible for implementing the project on “strengthening integrated Systems to accelerate access to Gender, Child and Youth Justice” and carry out day to day implementation and monitoring of work plans ensuring that activities reflect donor and other commitments. The Senior Justice and Peace Officer Reports to the Regional Justice and Peace Officer and supervises the Justice and Peace Officers. The Senior Justice and Peace Officer will be Based within the refugee community in Bidibidi, Yumbe.

Major Responsibilities •Carry out the day-to-day implementation of the project activities ensuring that the project activities reflect donor commitments. •Provide legal aid to the Persons of Concern and ensure that legal aid and peacebuilding data is consistently collected, analyzed, and aggregated for advocacy purposes. •Conduct Legal case management and follow up on legal cases with relevant authorities. •Strengthen the capacities of the community-based paralegals to provide legal information, provide legal counselling and other through regular mentorship sessions. •Provide a supervisory role to the Justice and Peace Officers. •Submit regular data and submit weekly and monthly reports •Ensure all interventions are fully aligned to national frameworks and systems as well as well as broader policy developments relevant to legal aid. •Contribute and participate in the monthly zonal coordination meetings. •Establish and maintain good working relationships with JLOS actors, OPM, Local Government authorities, UN agencies, I/NGO’s, CSOs, refugee leadership and community-based paralegals. •Maintain close collaboration with other IRC sectors such as Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE) and Health •Report on agreed assignment on time. •Keep a weekly record of assignment undertaken. •Any other reasonable activities determined by the Supervisor that is commensurate with the needs of the programme. •Abide by IRC policies and procedures. •Maintain a high standard of integrity and ethics and uphold the image of IRC.

Qualifications

•A Bachelor’s degree in Law from a recognized University. •At least three years of relevant experience in access to justice and peace building. •Strong understanding of International Human Rights and Refugee Law. •Experience in working and coordinating with UN donors, INGO’s and other stakeholders. •Strong sense of personal integrity. •Leadership. •Great communication and interpersonal skills. •Good Report Writing Skills •Attention to detail. •Strong self-drive skills. •Ability to multi-task. •Resilience and ability to work in a hard-to-reach area •Team spirit and problem-solving abilities.

Please note: Deadline for receiving applications is July 3rd 2022.

Professional Standards The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

All staff, regardless of role, are required to create a culture of client responsiveness by requesting and using client feedback data to make decisions. In addition, all staff are expected to demonstrate inclusiveness when making programmatic decisions and working with clients, partners and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. You can read more about the IRC’s commitment to client responsiveness here: https://www.rescue.org/resource/client-responsiveness-introduction-and-faq

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.