Legal Officer Job at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Requisition ID: req3959

Job Title: Legal Officer

Sector: Women Protection & Empowerment

Employment Category: Fixed Term

Employment Type: Full-Time

Location: Kibondo, Tanzania

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) coordinates the provision of services across a broad spectrum of sectors in Kigoma Region, Tanzania. This position is responsible for providing legal counseling and support to survivors of gender-based violence in the Burundian camp, as well as host communities if required. This position reports to the GBV Response Manger and works in close collaboration with the psychosocial and outreach officers, all based in the camp.

Program Responsibilities

Direct program activity

GBV survivors must be provided services with supportive environment in which there are respected and treated with dignity, following survivor-centered approach that survivor are engaged, and their best interest, rights, needs and wishes of the survivors are respected, as outlined in the IRC’s WPE Case Management Guidelines.
Adhere to GBV guiding principles: ensure the safety of the survivor and their children at all times, respect the confidentiality of the information provided by GBV survivors, if using interpreters, interpreters must be trained on respecting confidentiality, and conduct interviews in private settings. Maintain a non-judgmental manner and respect the survivor decision.
Provide legal counselling for GBV survivor regarding potential avenues of legal response; Respect the right to be informed on the details of the legal procedures, including available options, time frame and the consequences.
Provide and facilitate legal access to all GBV Survivors who opt for legal action include accompany and escort GBV Survivors to Police station and Court whenever requested i.e. by ensuring GBV Survivors and witness summoned to court attend court sessions; Respect the right to legal aid, including the right to refuse legal aid at any time prior or -depending on the type of the crime committed- during legal process.
Coordinate with the Prosecutor, pre court legal counseling and preparation support to GBV Survivors, witnesses and medical experts before court sessions i.e. District Courts, Primary Courts.
Continually update the GBV Psychosocial Officer about the survivors’ case and link the survivor with the case worker for ongoing psychosocial support or referral to additional services.
Monitor GBV survivors overall security risk as a result of pursuing legal action; ensure the survivor is protected against any risks of further offence that the alleged offender may cause and link the survivor with the Psychosocial Officer / GBV Case Workers to provide adequate response/referral to ensure needs and security concerns of the survivors are met.
In collaboration of GBV Response Manager and Psychosocial Support Supervisor monitoring the situation of the survivor even after the finalization of legal proceedings to prevent retaliation or secondary victimization at the hands of the perpetrator, the perpetrator’s family or friends, as well as to address stigmatization by the community.
Conduct different trainings to different groups in the camp on Tanzanian and international law, as it relates to women and girls protection from GBV to the Police, Sungusungu, women’s representatives, Zone Leaders, religious leaders, other community representatives, service providers and implementing partners.
Conduct GBV related-legal information dissemination (legal aid clinics) or other targeted legal activity in different zones in the camp to increase awareness in preventing and responding to GBV incidents.

Data collection and reporting

Monitor all cases sent to court by using a tracking system as well as follow-up;
Contributing for developing, drafting and update legal guidelines, and training materials on GBV related to Tanzanian law and/or international law.
Ensure proper and safe legal documentation, case information, data security and storage. Utilization of GBVIMS consent form, legal intake form, action plan. All forms must use accurately and appropriately, strictly follow data protection protocol and confidentiality; maintain confidentiality with regards to client information at all times.
Track indicators and analyze data on all legal counseling, legal access, including those where legal action is not pursued or has been pursued but subsequently failed.
Prepare and submit timely and quality monthly and donor reports as per the donor requirements, including assist in proposal input on access to justice gaps, and needs.

Coordination

Following up on cases with law enforcement bodies to ensure that the rights of the survivor are promoted and protected throughout the legal process,
Advocate with court official where there are gaps in dispensing the justice system,
Link and coordinate with other services providers ensure integrated approaches to access to justices e.g. WLAC, TRCS, MSF, Judiciary etc;
Participate in coordination meeting with Legal actors so as to smoothen the process of access to legal justices to GBV Survivors; including conduct weekly meetings with Gender and Child Desk Police, SGBV WG, CP WG to build capacities on survivor centers while handling cases.

Program management

Direct responsible for all legal budget in collaboration with WPE/GBV response Manager; develop and maintain work plans, spending and procurement plans, tracking expenditures and ensure all legal activities are allowable and allocable according to IRC and donor compliance and regulations; review monthly BvA and bring any over/under expenditure, miss-charge or double charging issues etc to the attention of the WPE/GBV Response Manager in a timely manner and jointly develop corrective plans and prepare legal activity cash projection submit to GBV Response Manager.
Supervise and capacitate paralegal refugee staffs including GBV and Tanzania Law through training, daily mentor, weekly meeting, including manage refugee staff planning and budgeting.

General Responsibilities

Attend and participate in trainings identified organized by your supervisor.
Follow any new procedures and guidelines designated in circulars from Country Director.
Support the IRC Tanzania Country SAP implementation in Kibondo field office, coordinate with other IRC actors particularly Health, Education, MHPSS and Operational Department to achieve the IRC strategy outcome with support of WPE Sr. Manager and WPE Coordinator.
Report any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Code of Conduct (Tanzania and worldwide) as per the IRC Tanzania reporting mechanism. The reporting of violations is an obligation on the part of all staff members.
Assist where necessary in undertaking activities that aim to prevent the occurrence of sexual abuse and exploitation of refugees by IRC and other humanitarian workers.
Represent IRC at interagency meetings as assigned.
Assist in control and proper usage of stationery and other items relating to work.
Perform other duties as may be assigned by your supervisor.

Qualifications

Law degree with at least 3 year’s relevant work experience, particularly in women’s rights.
Experience working on gender based violence issues desirable.
Experience working with camp-based populations/ rural communities desirable.
Commitment to working confidentially, responsibly and with respect for legal ethics.
Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative required.
Good IT skills: knowledge of MS Word; Excel and Outlook required.
Swahili and good English written and oral skills required. French and Kirundi a plus
Ability to work as part of a team that shares the common goal of helping stop GBV

CLICK HERE TO APPLY