Protection Officer - Legal Aid
(Yemen – Aden/ Lahj)
'Female candidates are encouraged to apply'
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 6500 staff. 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.
About
the role
Overall purpose of the
role:
Under
the direct supervision of the Legal Aid Team Leader (TL), 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.
Main
responsibilities:
Legal Services:
·
Provide protection legal services in compliance with DRC
SOPs and international guidelines and standards, under the technical
supervision of DRC Legal Aid Team Leader in DRC community centers and through
mobile team;
·
Be responsible for conducting awareness sessions, legal
counseling, and facilitating access to civil documentation;
·
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 Legal Aid Team Leader,
Protection Specialist, and Protection Manager, 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 Legal Aid Team Leader;
·
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 (Team Leader);
·
Submit to the Legal Aid TL 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 Team Leader in submitting internal
reports as per schedule;
·
Attend weekly supervisory meetings with the legal team and Protection
TL 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 Legal Aid Team Leader;
- 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 Legal Team
Leader.
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.
Education:
·
Essential
qualification: University degree in Law.
·
Desirable
qualifications: Advanced University degree
Languages:
·
Arabic – Fluent
·
English – Desirable
All
DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s 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.
We Offer.
Contract length: June
30, 2027
Position Band: This
position will be placed in the non-management (H2) band. Reports to the
Protection Team Leader - Legal Aid.
Start date: ASAP
Duty station: Aden/Lahj,
Yemen.
Salary and conditions will
be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s National Terms of Employment.
Application process
All applicants must upload
a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English.
Applications sent by email will not be considered.
'Female candidates are encouraged to apply'
Closing date for
applications: August 24, 2026, recruitment process is planned to start in
maximum 2 weeks after the closing date.
For further information
about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult our website drc.ngo.