Legal Information Officer – Equality through Legal Action

LAW is an independent, non-profit organisation comprised of human rights lawyers working in fragile and conflict affected areas in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. We have a particular focus on gender equality and sexual and gender-based violence, natural resource exploitation, rule of law and accountability, and transformative justice, working to bring justice to those who need it most.

LAW’s ground-breaking work has received international media coverage, including in the New York Times, the Times of London, the Guardian, Al-Jazeera, France24, Voice of America, Huffington Post and Foreign Policy.

Lebanon fell into a deep economic decline at the end of 2019, following the collapse of an artificially propped-up system that funded chronic deficits in the state budget and the balance of trade by piling up debt and attracting capital investment with unsustainably high interest rates. The economic crisis was the one in a long list of shocks for a state that is bearing the brunt of the Syria crisis with a Government estimate of 1.5 million Syrian refugees, on top of the existing 270,000 Palestinian refugees and an approximate 20,000 refugees from Iraq, Sudan and Ethiopia.[1] COVID-19 reaches Lebanon at a time of historic economic crisis, rising unemployment and a weak social protection system. Isolation paired with increased economic pressure are also likely to aggravate household stress, and in turn increase domestic violence and child protection issues. Similar trends are also likely to be observed for sexual and gender minorities who are at risk of domestic violence. Adding to an already serious situation, the 4 August explosion made things significantly worse for an already suffering population, putting those most marginalised and disadvantage even more at risk to sexual abuse and exploitation, trafficking, gendered crimes and homelessness. This disproportionally affect the LGBTQI population as female migrant domestic workers, and individuals that lack civil documentation.

LAW is implementing a Dutch funded project that will be implemented over two years from September 2020. This project will address inequalities existing in Lebanon in discriminatory legislation or practices and traditions, in particular against LGBTQI persons, women, and victims and survivors of gendered crime and sexual exploitation and abuse, in particular those from the domestic migrant worker community. It will also address inequalities experienced by the large disadvantaged stateless population that is excluded from basic services including health care and education. LAW will leverage its high level of expertise and experience in legal responses to human rights violations and abuses, particularly in the use of strategic litigation challenging discriminatory laws and practices to prompt long-lasting legal change. LAW and its implementing partners will leverage their networks within the LGBTQI, domestic workers, survivors of gender-based violence and stateless persons to effectively access these communities, build trust and to understand their legal issues.

LAW seeks an enthusiastic Legal Information Officer to support the Dutch funded Equality through Legal Action Project. LAW is looking for an open-minded individual who is passionate for human rights, regardless of gender, sexual identity, civil status, religion, colour or race.  You will work and represent those that are discriminated against as individuals and groups. You must be free of biases, prejudices and keen to challenge injustice. You must be able to work individually and remotely as well as be able to coordinate and work closely within a team.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Reports to:                                                                                         Duration:

Project Lawyer                                                                                  End of August 2021

Location:                                                                                           Hours:

Beirut, Lebanon, with domestic travels                                             Full-time / 40 Hours per week

Functions/Key Deliverables:

The Legal Information Officer will have the following responsibilities:  

• Provide timely and effective free legal information and awareness to domestic workers, LGBTQI individuals, stateless persons and other individuals that have been discriminated against;
• Overall responsibility of the outreach work;
• Participate in regular trainings and workshops related to project activities;

• Conduct outreach and awareness sessions for survivors of gendered crimes, migrant domestic workers, stateless individuals and LGBTQI individuals;
• Attend training and capacity building events as requested by the Programme Manager;
• Attend regular meetings with supervising lawyers to report on progress, observations and lessons learned.
• Write regular activity reports and other reporting as required and agreed with Project Lawyer;
• Ensure data and files are accurate, up to date in accordance with LAW standards including attendance sheets, consent forms, expense reports and other documents required for the implementation of the activities;
• Coordinate with the procurement/logistics departments for the office supplies, fill purchase requests, and ensure the correct documentation is submitted to the Finance department;
• Other tasks as assigned by the line manager.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications Required:

• A Bachelor degree in Law;
• Excellent written and spoken Arabic;
• Previous experience providing legal assistance and awareness;

Desired:

• Previous relevant experience working within a humanitarian/development NGO
• Demonstrated experience with disadvantaged groups and individuals;
• Knowledge and experience of criminal law, procedure, and/or human rights law; 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Travel within the country will be required.

Deadline for applications:  10 September 2020  

Start date: October 2020 

How to Apply:  

Please email a CV and statement of interest in English on or before 10 September 2020 to: [email protected]

The subject of the application should read ‘Equality through Legal Action – Legal Information Officer’. 

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. 
• LAW is an equal opportunity employer. 
• Women are particularly encouraged to apply.