Job Description

Job Summary: Lawyer for Women and Girls’ Support Services (WGSS)

The Lawyer for Women and Girls’ Support Services (WGSS) will provide comprehensive legal support and representation to women and girls, focusing on various issues including but not limited to Gender-Based Violence (GBV). This role involves addressing civil matters, facilitating access to essential legal documents, and promoting awareness of legal rights and services. The lawyer will work within a multidisciplinary team to ensure that women and girls receive holistic support, empowering them to navigate legal challenges and access necessary resources for their well-being.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Legal Representation: Provide legal representation to GBV survivors on issues related to family law, civil matters, and housing, land, and property (HLP) disputes, especially evictions.
• Issuance of Legal Documentation: Facilitate the issuance of legal documentation, including identity cards, by advising individuals without IDs, compiling lists for submission to relevant authorities, and coordinating with local offices for applications and receipt of IDs.
• Access to Civil Documentation: Assist survivors in accessing civil documentation such as birth/death certificates and marriage/divorce documents.
• Awareness-Raising Sessions: Conduct awareness-raising sessions to educate GBV survivors about their rights and the procedures for accessing legal and civil services.
• Legal Proceedings Representation: Represent survivors in legal proceedings involving family, civil, and HLP matters.
• Criminal Representation Referrals: Refer cases requiring criminal representation to specialized agencies/NGOs when necessary.
• Community Liaison: Liaise with local authorities and communities to identify prevalent legal issues related to GBV and their impact on survivors.
• Activity Reporting: Compile monthly reports on the status of legal assistance activities, using templates provided by relevant authorities.
• Program Updates: Keep the Protection Officer and team leader informed of developments and challenges in the legal assistance program.
• Coordination of Documentation: Coordinate the issuance of legal documents and identity documentation for survivors as needed.
• Work Plan Preparation: Prepare work plans for awareness-raising activities on legal issues pertinent to GBV.
• Training and Capacity Building: Collaborate with project officers to provide training and capacity-building on protection issues, survivor rights, and community-based approaches.
• Identification of Legal Needs: Ensure field teams identify individuals in need of legal documentation and engage with protection teams to monitor human rights violations.
• Needs Assessment: Assess the legal protection needs of the targeted population, particularly those at heightened risk, and communicate findings to the protection department.
• Report Preparation: Prepare weekly, monthly, or other required reports in a timely manner.
• Document Management: Archive and securely maintain case documents in an orderly fashion.
• Other Duties: Perform any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Law.
• Experience: At least 3 years of work experience as a lawyer, specifically in cases related to GBV, asylum, and human rights issues.
• Knowledge: Familiarity with laws and international conventions regarding the rights of survivors and marginalized individuals.
• Skills: Strong research and analytical skills for legal documents and case analysis.
• Communication: Effective communication skills for working with diverse teams and understanding humanitarian work challenges.
• Problem-Solving: Creative thinking and problem-solving abilities in complex legal situations.
• Teamwork: Ability to promote collaboration and work as part of a team to achieve organizational goals.
• Ethics: Commitment to professional ethics and human rights.
• Language Proficiency: Proficiency in both Arabic and English (speaking and writing).
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint).