Job Description

Protection Officer - Legal Aid 

Duty Station [Aden -Yemen]

Who are we?

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.
The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956, and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced.
All of our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.
DRC has been operating in the Middle East (ME) region for over a decade, running a combination of emergency, livelihood, protection and advocacy programmes through Country Offices (COs) in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with a Regional Office (RO) in Amman.

DRC Yemen’s response

Throughout its nine field offices and a workforce of 450 staff, DRC upholds its main programmatic objectives to provide immediate and life sustaining assistance, to strengthen the protective environment, and to reduce displacement related risks and vulnerabilities by promoting self-reliance at household and community level.

About the Job:

Overall purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Protection Manager, the Legal Aid Officer will ensure the effective implementation of DRC’s legal aid intervention. The Legal Aid Officer will be responsible to deliver timely, high-quality, and effective legal aid services, including legal information and awareness session, counselling, and support to access legal documentation) in Lahj Governorates. The Legal Aid Officer will be responsible for legal aid interventions in the assigned areas of operation, as well as maintain effective working relationship with relevant stakeholders including community members, local partners, and CRA.

Responsibilities

Legal Services:

• Provide protection legal services in compliance with DRC SOPs and international guidelines and standards, under the technical supervision of DRC Protection Manager in DRC community center and through mobile team; 
• Be responsible for conducting awareness sessions, legal counseling, and facilitating access to civil documentation, with a specific focus on reaching women and girls as per the established work plan, and advocate on their behalf;
• Disseminate accurate and impartial information to the beneficiaries through group awareness sessions in DRC's operation areas, selecting the legal topics in full consultation with the Protection Manager, and Protection Specialist, and using an AGD approach;
• Undertake individual sessions providing legal information and legal counseling as per the established work plan;
• Provide legal documentation services through the Civil Registration Authority (CRA) office in Aden, including issuing IDs and birth certificates;
• Ensure clear communication with beneficiaries to inform them of potential courses of action and empowering them to pursue their chosen options;
• Fill legal forms and legal tracking sheet, ensuring confidentiality, accuracy and timeliness under the supervision of the Protection Manager;
• Conduct field visits to identify local NGOs, charity associations, social centers, and local institutions providing support to the local population to establish a mapping of existing legal services;
• Conduct field visits to assess the legal protection needs and concerns of the target population, with attention to people with specific needs;
• Identify individuals at risk and persons with specific needs and refer them to the necessary services after receiving informed consent and according to DRC criteria;
• Remain up-to-date on legal procedure, Yemen Law and policy developments, and support to update legal guideline & SOPs' documents as needed;
• At all times safeguard the safety and respect of the individual, in addition to the confidentiality of his/her information and his/her right to access services without any discrimination.  

Monitoring and Reporting 

• Ensure tracking and reporting of activity data and target achievements to supervisor.;
• Submit to the Protection Manager  weekly and monthly reports on all Legal activities, developments in the law context in Yemen;
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly work plans in a timely manner and support the Protection Manager  in submitting internal reports as per schedule;
• Attend weekly supervisory meetings with the legal team and other Protection TLs/ Protection Manager to address any issues and set team plans;
• Maintain the legal database updated and consistent, and support the data analysis of legal case data in a safe and ethical manner;
• Support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation tools and report on problems in the implementation of the program;
• Keep case files up-to-date to ensure quality and accuracy of information, following DRC Standard Operating Procedures and ensuring beneficiary’s data are protected;
• Ensure that all legal documents/forms are archived in the SP folders and in the locked cabinets, following DRC protocols for archiving documents.

Coordination and representation

• Coordinate and maintain constructive and effective relationships with relevant stakeholders including partner agencies, community leaders, CBPNs, CRA, municipalities, and other service providers, in coordination with the other team members; 
• Collaborate with other DRC sectors and NGOs to ensure a coordinated and collaborative response to the provision of services and assistance for those benefiting from legal services;
• Ensure up-to-date understandings of service providers operating in the area based on available service mappings and coordination with stakeholders;
• Maintain an up-to-date service mapping of the legal service providers operating in the area.

Other

• Maintain positive work relationship within the team, and promote team-building efforts in coordination with the Protection Manager Must adhere to DRC’s mission, values, code of conduct including respect for the principles of neutrality, do no harm, non-discrimination and confidentiality;
• Ensure transparency and DRC’s positive regard and reputation with communities and participate in community outreach;
• Must treat all partners and beneficiaries with dignity and respect:
• Any other duties relating to the nature of the job as directed by the Protection Manager.

About you

To be successful in this role you must have:

Experience and technical competencies:

• At least 3 years of experience in the legal sector and providing legal services in the humanitarian sector;
• Familiarity/prior experience with DRC and its persons of concern (including internally displaced persons, returnees, refugees) is a distinct advantage; 
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of local communities, customary rules and Yemeni Law;
• Familiarity with international protection and human rights legal standards is an advantage;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and respect for people with specific needs and other vulnerabilities;
• Excellent organizational and planning skills as well as communication and inter-personal skills;
• Punctuality and respect for applicable rules and guidelines;
• Strong ability to organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, work independently and prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility;
• Willing to collaborate with and support people from different ethnic groups and different religions;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, respect, non-discrimination and safety of beneficiaries at all times; 
• Computer/IT literacy (OS Windows, MS (Word, Excel in particular), etc.

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

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.   
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.   
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.   
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.   
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required qualifications: 

Education:

Essential qualification

• University degree in Law.

Desirable qualifications: 

• Advanced University degree 

Languages:

• Arabic - Fluent
• English - Desirable 

We offer

DRC will offer the successful applicant a contract until September 2025, renewable dependent on both funding and performance. You must be available to start work As soon as possible, and be willing and able to work in Aden. 
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment. This position will be placed at Band (H Non-Manager) and will be reporting to Protection Manager.