The Dánes Refugee Council is one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance and protection to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons, returnees, people on the move and vulnerable local population / host communities. DRC is currently seeking a Legal Aid Assistant for our Carúpano base.
DRC is managing its operations in Venezuela, under the direction of the country office in Caracas and four field offices located in the states of Sucre, Apure and Zulia. DRC Venezuela is implementing activities such as protection monitoring, legal assistance, individual protection assistance for PWSN, information sessions for PoC, prevention of human trafficking, rehabilitation of health and food security infrastructure.
Description of Charge: The main objective of the Legal Aid assistant is to implement administrative legal aid activities within the framework of the DRC Protection program. Under the operational and technical supervision of the Legal Aid Leader, he will implement the activities of verification, registration and systematization of legal advice and case management with great responsibility, complying with the principle of confidentiality to restore the rights of refugees, migrants and returnees in civil, administrative and constitutional matters. Likewise, it will be responsible for the design of informative material and deliverables for the implementation of informative sessions on legal issues in close collaboration with the Protection team.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Main responsibilities
This role has an administrative work approach, which contributes to the fulfillment of the objectives of assistance / legal advice under the procedures and guidelines of DRC within the area. The role is essential to keep updated the systems of means of verification, databases and systematization of case management files so that the/Team Leader and Protection Manager can identify programmatic advances in legal operations in the field.
- Work closely with Legal Aid Officers and respond to documented legal needs, such as: go to public institutions to follow up on procedures or withdraw relevant legal documentation.
- Collect information from people of interest, ensuring the systematization of information in digital and physical files in a confidential, complete and orderly manner in accordance with DRC’s mandate.
- Ensure the constant entry of relevant information into the legal database to allow monitoring of identified or referred cases.
- Plan effectively and efficiently the revision of verification means, making effective use of the time when loading them into database systems.
- Work on the design and preparation of visual advisory material and legal services, determining the best strategy for the cases of people of interest under the supervision of the Leader of the Legal Aid team;
- Report to the leader of the legal aid team the existing programmatic advances in legal advice, case management and information sessions implemented in the field.
- Have knowledge of legal issues including international protection, family reunification, civil registration and nationality, and other cases of civil and administrative law that require legal assistance;
- Maintain good relations with the pertinent public entities and institutions so that coordination and articulation are strengthened.
- Provide information for weekly and monthly reports, as required by the Legal Aid Team Leader and Protection Management.
- Actively participate in team meetings by providing inputs, challenges, and lessons learned.
Programming and Operations
- Ensure the efficient and effective implementation of the systematization of information corresponding to legal activities on the ground.
- Maintain in order and safeguard under the supervision of the team leader the physical and digital means of the legal advice and services of the beneficiaries.
Experience and skills:
- Minimum 1-2 years of relevant experience in the humanitarian sector.
- Undergraduate in Law and / or sociology, criminology, administration, accounting with experience in constitutional law / refugee law / human rights.
- Optimal reporting skills
- Optimal skills to work with tablets and computers
- Optimal skills in MS Word, Excel and Kobo.
- Will and ability to learn
- High professional ethics
- Ease for teamwork.
- Adaptability to change.
- Asertive communication.
- Creativity.
- High capacity to work in an orderly and systematic way.
Security
- Comply with the local safety regulations of the Carúpano Base.
- Comply with DRC code of conduct
- Comply with the policy against sexual exploitation and abuse and use internal safeguard mechanisms if necessary
- Comply with DRC codes, principles and basic performance competencies.
Required:
- Quiet and diplomatic in character;
- Work experience in humanitarian or human rights NGOs;
- Proactive fitness
- Having worked in the intervention region or knowing the territorial context.
Educational level: Undergraduate in Law, and / or sociology, criminology, administration, accounting with experience in constitutional law / refugee law / human rights with experience in constitutional law / refugee law / human rights.
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs worldwide.
- Access to more than 1,000 free online trainings and certificates.
- Contract duration: according to budget availability.
- Salary: Band I.
- HCM insurance covered entirely by the organization.
- Start date: July 2024
All DRC functions require the incumbent to master the basic DRC competencies:
- Achieve excellence: focused on achieving results and at the same time guaranteeing efficient processes.
- Collaboration: involve relevant people and encourage feedback.
- Take the initiative: in relation to finding solutions.
- Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly.
- Demonstrate integrity: act on DRC vision and values
Application process: All applicants must upload a cover letter ( max. 1 page ) and an updated CV (max. 2 pages, without supports) in Spanish, on the DRC employment platform. Requests sent by email will not be considered.
Application closing date: Sunday, June 23 at 11:59 pm Local Time. Please note that applications will be continually reviewed and interviews will be planned as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified.
