Position: Lawyer (Refugees-IDPs)

Job Location: Marib -two positions for (City-Al Wadi and Harib) at the HA office and in the field.

Duration of Assignment: 11 months( Feb -December 2024)

Report to: Legal Officer
Deadline: 

This position is open to internal applicants only. Applicants must be legally present in Marib at the time of application, recruitment, and hiring unless HA makes an online interview.

About HUMAN ACCESS

Human Access for Partnership and Development (HUMAN ACCESS) is a non-governmental, independent, non-profit, humanitarian, developmental, charitable, voluntary, and community-based organization. It was established in March 1990 by an elite of volunteers and social personalities as a voluntary non-governmental organization that implements its programs, projects, and services according to periodic plans, a deliberate and renewed strategy, and a method of work based on the scientific methodology to be an effective link between donors and beneficiaries. HUMAN ACCESS is UNHCR’s implementing partner in Marib and other cities. HUMAN ACCESS is characterized by a strong and renewed relationship with development partners at home and abroad, and it has joint efforts with official and popular authorities. It is also distinguished by a tangible presence in many charitable and humanitarian events and activities. During its period of operation, which extends for about three decades, the association obtained several memberships in various organizations and bodies.

The association is a member of the Department of Public Information for the Non-Governmental Organizations of the United Nations (DPI-NGO), a member of the Arab Union for Voluntary Work, and an active and accredited partner to various international organizations, the most important of which are the World Food Program (WFP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

HUMAN ACCESS has also obtained membership in many local, Arab and international organizations and networks working in various fields of volunteer and humanitarian work. It in addition obtained the international quality certificate ISO 9001: 2008 as a culmination of its institutional work.

 This project is for IDPs and entitled: Provision of Essential Protection Assistance, Community Services, Shelter and CCCM Services to IDPs, Refugees & asylum seekers in Marib City, Marib District, and Harib

Safeguarding at HUMAN ACCESS is committed to the community members we work with and the beneficiaries we serve. As part of this commitment, HUMAN ACCESS has zero tolerance for violations of our Code of Conduct (Sexual Abuse of Beneficiaries and Community Members (PSEA), Child Safeguarding Policy, PSEA Misconduct Policy, Discrimination, Harassment Policy, and Anti-Fraud and Corruption).

Equal Employment Opportunity

HUMAN ACCESS is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact. 

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

The main responsibility of the lawyer is to provide legal support to persons in need, by implementing UNHCR IDP, Refugees & asylum seekers legal assistance program in accordance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures, standards and policies, with the aim of providing quality, timely and effective legal responses to the needs of populations of concern. IDP legal assistance includes (a) legal awareness raising by sensitizing displaced communities and families on their fundamental rights and procedures to access legal and civil services (particularly on family, civil and HLP matters such as evictions; (b) individual counselling, mediation and, if required, legal representation; monitoring visits in immigration detention facilities, detainees to be monitored and supported, . (c) facilitation of issuance of ID documentation to IDPs and facilitating their access to other critical civil documentation such as birth certificates. The lawyer will be stationed at HUMAN ACCESS office at Marib city or in the field as required.

Main responsibilities:

  • Provide legal counselling and mediation support to IDPs, Refugees & asylum seekers on legal issues including family, civil and HLP matters (particularly evictions), civil status documentation;
  • Facilitate the issuance of legal documentation to IDPs, Refugees & asylum seekers; particularly, Identity Cards and birth certificates. This will include providing counselling to PoCs without IDs; compiling lists of individuals without IDs for submission to CRA; coordinating with local CRA branches, in line with the procedure agreed between UNHCR and central CRA and facilitate application and receipt of IDs at CRA branches;
  • Counselling and improving IDPs’, Refugees & asylum seekers access to legal and civil documentation such as birth/death certificates and marriage/divorce documents;
  • Sensitize IDPs on their fundamental rights and procedures to access legal and civil services through legal awareness raising sessions in the sites;
  • Raise awareness of Protection Monitors, Community-Based Protection Networks (CBPNs) and other relevant staff members of HA on IDP’s fundamental rights and procedures to access legal remedies;
  • When necessary, provide legal representation to IDPs, Refugees & asylum seekers on family, civil and HLP matters (particularly evictions);
  • Provide support to the community counselors / supervisors when legal issues arise;
  • Refer legal representation cases for criminal matters to the specialized agencies/NGOs/entities when required;
  • Liaise with local authorities and local communities to identify the most common legal issues pertaining to IDPs, Refugees & asylum seekers and their relation with hosting communities;
  • Compile monthly reports – along a suggested template by UNHCR - on the implementation status of the Legal assistance activities;
  • Keep the senior Protection Officer and the activity coordinator as well as the legal officer in the HA office and UNHCR FO protection, CCCM and shelter staff informed of the development and challenges of the implementation of the legal assistance program, regularly and in a timely manner;
  • Stay abreast of the local legal and protection context;
  • Criminal issues and/or custody issues could be addressed or referred to the relevant partners or authorities for legal representation when required;
  • HLP Due Diligence conducted for HHs receiving housing rehabilitation and construction assistance in areas of return in coordination with the shelter/field team supported by HLP WG
  • HLP Due Diligence conducted for HHs receiving transitional shelter
  • provision of HLP-specific legal assistance/case management (IDP sites) which can avert/avoid the (group) eviction cases
  • improved security of tenure in the IDP sites and in the neighborhoods with (occupancy and rental agreements)

Working Modality:

  • The legal assistance will be provided at HUMAN ACCESS office in Marib as well as through field visits (sites and neighborhoods).

 Required profile:

  • Degree in Law
  • Valid license to practice law
  • Proven legal experience with minimum of 3 years, with qualification to represent clients in Courts
  • Excellent analytical, negotiation and communication skills
  • Administrative and managerial skills
  • Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information
  • Solid Computer skills and competency in word, Excel as a minimum
  • excellent Arabic language is essential and English preferable.

How to apply for the job: