Protection Officer -Legal (Arbaminch)

Action for Social Development and Environmental Protection Organization (ASDEPO) is an Ethiopian indigenous, “Civil Society Organization” established in 2014. ASDEPO is mandated to operate in all regional states of the country and is engaged indifferent thematic program areas of intervention namely: Humanitarian Response, Education, Health/HIV and AIDS/RH, Women and Youth Economic Empowerment, Gender Based Violence and Child Protection, Migration/Human Trafficking, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash), NTD’s Climate Change, Agriculture, Environmental Protection and Training in Gambella, Oromiya, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz, Afar, SNNPR and Somali Region.

Overall purpose of the role

Under the direct line management of the Project Coordinator and the technical supervision of the HO Protection Thematic Lead, the Legal Officer will implement protection and legal activities within the ASDEPOs, UNHCR project framework. The Legal Officer will be responsible for monitoring the provision of legal aid services delivered by the government counterpart partner agency, including legal information dissemination, counselling, legal assistance, and facilitation of legal representation for the target population. In addition, the Legal Officer will undertake any other protection-related tasks as assigned by the Project Coordinator, Thematic Lead, and/or Refugee Response Manager to ensure the achievement of project objectives.

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Technical Responsibilities:

• Develop a detailed work plan for the implementation of legal service–focused activities in line with the project framework.
• Implement legal support activities in accordance with the approved work plan and allocated budget, ensuring compliance with relevant international and national laws and regulations.
• Conduct rapid assessments to identify legal service needs and key concerns of the target population, particularly refugees and IDPs, and design appropriate responses based on the findings.
• Carry out legal information dissemination activities in collaboration with relevant government offices and partner universities in the operational areas, focusing on legal rights, civil documentation, and procedures through mobile protection desks and community outreach mechanisms.
• In collaboration with Partnering University in the area, provide guidance on protection assistance and identify key legal information to be shared through the mobile protection desk.
• Monitor and follow up on legal counseling, legal assistance, and legal information dissemination services provided by the University to the target communities.
• Develop and disseminate IEC materials containing key messages on legal rights, procedures, and available legal and protection services for the target population.
• Facilitate and advocate for access to legal and civil documentation for the target communities in coordination with relevant government authorities and humanitarian actors.
• Organize capacity-building trainings for government stakeholders and community-based structures on applicable international refugee laws, national laws, and legal procedures.
• Coordinate with ASDEPO finance, administration, and supply chain teams as required to support effective project implementation.
• Perform any other duties related to legal and protection activities as assigned by the Project Coordinator.
• Reporting and administrative responsibilities

Reports to: Program Coordinator

Category: Protection

Work Location: Arbaminch

Career Level: Senior-Level (3+ years’ experience)

Employment Type: Contract

Salary: As per the organization’s salary scale

Required Number 1

Experience and technical competencies:

• Minimum 3 years work experience in the legal sector, Refugee and ID Protection preferably in a humanitarian context;
• Prior Experience working with persons of concern including refugees, internally displaced and/ or returnees;
• Experience and familiarity with Ethiopia’s judicial system;
• Familiarity with international laws focusing on refugee rights;
• Understanding of protection principles and protection minimum standards;
• High level of personal initiative, analytical and problem-solving skill;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to develop and maintain working relationships across the organization.
• Commitment to learning and implementing organizational policies and procedures
• Good proficiency in Microsoft Office package.

EDUCATION:

• University degree in law or other relevant field from a recognized institution.

LANGUAGE: (indicate Fluency level)

• Excellent skills in speaking, reading and writing English and Amharic

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.