Legal Officer

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organization with 60 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for refugees and internally displaced people. NRC advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance within the shelter, education, emergency food security, legal assistance, and water,sanitation and hygiene sectors.

The Norwegian Refugee Council has approximately 5000 committed and competent employees involved in projects across four continents. In addition, NRC runs one of the worlds largest standby rosters -NORCAP, with 650 professionals, ready to be deployed on 72 hours notice when a crisis occurs


The Legal Officer is responsible for the implementation of legal assistance services and capacity building activities of the ICLA Programme in the West Bank. The Legal Officer will represent NRC in external forums, keep up to date with legal developments and current ICLA cases, needs and trends, identify potential new cases, conduct training and outreach, provide legal counseling, conduct legal analysis, implement legal strategies, draft documents and work closely with local NGOs, other partners and private lawyers on relevant legal issues. The Officer will be based in the Jerusalem office but required to participate in field work throughout the West Bank.

Job description

Maintain relevant legal knowledge and keep up to date with developments in international, and domestic law in relation to housing, land and property (HLP) in the West Bank (Area C and East Jerusalem);
Monitor and report any developments in relation to HLP rights in the West Bank through ensuring a regular presence in the field and via other information sources;
Provide legal information and counselling services to ICLA beneficiaries;
Provide legal trainings to legal practitioners, fieldworkers, donors and other stakeholders;
Identify, arrange and assist in conducting information sessions and other outreach activities, including field visits
Work directly in the field to assist in the implementation of ICLA activities including programmatic responses to legal developments
Provide sound written and oral legal advice (including legal counselling as required) and analysis on the Israeli/Palestinian legal system and in particular, provide advice on rights to housing, land, property legal matters;
Draft legal documents and correspondence as necessary, including legal memos, legal information sheets and complaints under UN mechanisms;
Conduct legal analyses and research in relation to HLP issues in the West Bank;
Participate in planning, developing and implementing ICLA legal strategies;
Identify areas where NRC can assist in increasing access to justice and legal accountability, in particular for internally displaced persons and refugees and other vulnerable groups such as women and children;
Responsible for data entry into ICLA database on ICLA activities and services provided;
Coordinate with beneficiaries, grassroots communities, partners and legal community to plan and implement ICLA activities;
Maintain good relationships with NRCs implementing partners, NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies;
Act as a focal point and coordinate information exchange internally and externally on identified issues or strategies
As requested by supervisor, represent organisation in external fora and coordination mechanisms, including the Protection Cluster, the Legal Taskforce, the Settler Violence Working Group and other groups;
Build solid beneficiaries relationships and good networking;
Fulfill the role as NRC focal point for NRC ICLA partners which includes conducting regular meetings to monitor progress and identify challenges, ensure accurate documentation of meetings, oversight and feedback to partner reports, negotiation and drafting of Partner Agreements, providing or sourcing technical support for partners; maintaining partner records including up to date knowledge of public interest cases, linking partners with each other and NRC advocacy team.
Monitor progress of partners against the Partner Agreement, including reporting, and raise concerns regarding implementation with management.
Attend court hearings and analyse decisions and documents as required, and provide comprehensive legal updates.


Qualifications
University degree in the field of Law, International Human Rights Law or other relevant field.
Qualified lawyer, Israeli Bar qualification preferred
Minimum of 3 years of relevant legal work experience
Legal understanding and knowledge of housing, land and property issues in Israeli law and international human rights and humanitarian law preferred
Legal understanding and knowledge of housing, land and property applicable laws in Area C and East Jerusalem, relevant work experience is an advantage;
Experience working with Human Rights organisations or NGOs/ INGOs preferred.
Experience of working with internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees an advantage


Education field
Law


Education level
College / University, Bachelor's degree


Personal qualities
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively in teams
Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
Highly approachable, trustworthy and confidential
Very good command of English and Arabic, both written and spoken
Hebrew language skills an advantage
Ability to always be punctual and meet deadlines
Demonstrate openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Good computer skills
Ability to work under pressure and with limited supervision.
Excellent drafting and research skills
Excellent legal analysis skills
Ability to facilitate trainings.


Language:Hebrew,English,Arabic

We offer
Starting date: ASAP
Miscellaneous info
Travel: No travelling required

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