ICLA Paralegals, Bossaso (Roster)

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Background:

NRC has provided first-line humanitarian response since 2021 with multisector activities in shelter, education, livelihoods and food security, and information, counselling and legal assistance. Our focus is on supporting people in hard-to-reach areas, working in partnership with authorities and local actors. We are piloting cash-based interventions with displaced populations living in host communities. NRC offers a comprehensive response for returnees and IDPs of high need, addressing their food security, livelihood, shelter, education, ICLA, and water, hygiene and sanitation needs and also responding to emergencies through NRC’s six core competencies; Shelter, Education, Livelihoods and Food Security, WASH and Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) and Protection from Violence.

NRC Somalia is part of NRC’s East & South Africa regional operation which comprises of large-scale multi-country humanitarian and early recovery interventions spread across Ten countries (Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Eritrea, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and Mozambique).  NRC’s overall strategy in the region is to enhance protection and promote the rights of displaced people in humanitarian need by improving living conditions and seeking durable solutions. The regional office is based in Nairobi and works with country programmes to ensure standardization of programmatic and operational approaches, promote multi-country programming and ensure quality and coordination.

Overview: 

Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has an established Information Counseling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) core competence (CC) for displaced Somalis in Somalia.  NRC is now in the process of strengthening its ICLA project to address Housing, Land and Property rights. The paralegal casual staff will reach out to displaced Somali families at risk of and/or affected by HLP rights violations in and around the areas in Puntland. NRC seeks to provide information and counselling services relating to access to services, documentation and other related matters.  NRC also aims to strengthen the understanding of any protection and legal issues faced by those displaced and, in coordination with other actors, identify ways to address these issues.

The paralegal is expected to represent NRC in a respectful and professional manner and always act in accordance with the NRC Code of Conduct and the organizations core values.

Key Responsibilities

In coordination with the ICLA team in Garowe field office Puntland, Somalia, the paralegal will:

• Conduct extensive individual and community outreach, information sessions, and monitoring exercises within selected settlements, assisting in preparing outreach materials and referring cases in line with ICLA project objectives.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports on activities, assessments, and observations, including signed community engagement records, and submit regular updates (weekly or monthly) to NRC ICLA staff.
• Provide information and counselling to beneficiaries through outreach efforts in and around settlements.
• Assist in mapping and updating relevant services provided in the area on a weekly basis.
• Support the preparation and execution of regular assessments, including focus group discussions, interviews, and surveys.
• Facilitate effective referral mechanisms in collaboration with other organizations and agencies (national and international).
• Engage cooperatively with beneficiaries and stakeholders to enhance project outcomes and monitor the quality of services provided in communities and settlements.
• Participate in all ICLA activities, field assessments, and data entry tasks.
• Perform administrative tasks and other duties as assigned by NRC management.
• Monitor and document field-level information on eviction risks or ongoing evictions on daily basis, following a coordinated plan, and report findings to the NRC ICLA team.
• Identify and document Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) cases.
• Contribute to weekly and monthly work planning and preparation of community-targeted materials, such as brochures, information notes, and updates for information boards.
• Understand NRC work, collaborate with NRC staff at the field level and receive technical guidance from the ICLA Puntland area office team.

Qualifications and Skills Required for the Paralegal Role

• Bachelor’s degree in law, Legal Studies, or a relevant field.
• Fluency in Somali and working proficiency in English.
• At least 2 years of experience in legal aid or community-based legal services, preferably with IDP communities in Puntland and a strong understanding of the local context.
• Strong communication, drafting, and problem-solving skills, with solid knowledge of IDPs’ Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and data management tools, with experience using digital platforms for data collection.
• High ethical standards, empathy, cultural sensitivity, and strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Experience in community mobilization or leadership; prior work as a paralegal is an added value.
• Knowledge of dispute resolution, mediation and counselling.