About SEED Foundation: SEED Foundation is a locally-registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering quality and holistic approaches, combining international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan. SEED’s programming focuses on four key objectives:

1. the delivery of transformational, comprehensive MHPSS services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities;

2. strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-building programs;

3. promoting policy and social change to strengthen the rights of, and protections for, vulnerable groups and individuals;

4. supporting the protection and recovery of survivors of trafficking, including through SEED’s shelter for victims of trafficking and those at risk, aftercare services, and prevention work to reduce the risk of trafficking through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy for legal, regulatory, policy, process, and institutional changes.

About SEED’s Legal Services:

In 2019, SEED launched its own legal services as part of its comprehensive services to clients.
SEED lawyers provide legal protection services as part of the general case management services to IDPs, refugees, migrant workers, and host community members. Primarily, legal services are provided in the SEED Centers located in Erbil and Duhok governorates, camp and non-camp based, as well as in the STEPS Center, shelter for trafficking survivors.

Roles of the Legal Advisor (LA):

SEED is seeking a qualified LA who will be the policy and technical lead for all legal service provision in SEED and will be responsible for the development and/or improvement of the legal framework and related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the legal services of SEED.

The LA will conduct legal analysis for the legal services to make sure quality services programming are delivered to the targeted beneficiaries in all SEED’s field offices and service delivery centers of SEED in the Kurdistan region.

The LA will conduct research on protection and human rights issues in SEED’s areas of service, provide analysis and recommendations in order to strengthen the implementation of the enforced laws, policies, and practices by the www.seedkurdistan.org government administration offices and courts in the Kurdistan region.

The LA will contribute to all SEED programming including identifying the needs for capacity building, design and delivery of training, assist in the development of other capacity-building efforts, support advocacy initiatives, and conduct organizational representation. The LA will help SEED provide technical assistance to the Kurdistan Regional Government on policies, and practice, and provide technical guidance for reform.

The LA will be responsible for developing and overseeing SEED’s legal services to clients. The LA will provide technical supervision and oversight of SEED’s lawyers and provide support on their cases. LA will be part of the SEED’s Technical Department and will report to TD Director.

Specific Tasks:

Supervision of legal services and technical support to lawyers (50%):

• Provide technical oversight and guidance to SEED’s team of lawyers, and the supervision of cases, specifically complicated cases and those requiring strategic legal responses.

• Provide supervision on cases, including one-on-one, group, and field-based supervision, and individual and group case conferences.

• Convene SEED lawyers regularly as a work group to share guidance, strengthen approaches, coordination, etc.

• Equip Program Managers and Service Delivery Coordinators to provide guidance to SEED lawyers and support as needed.

• Evaluate staff legal competencies and identify capacity building needs for SEED lawyers and service delivery staff and others as required; and develop and deliver training accordingly.

• Support with the onboarding of new SEED staff, providing an overview of SEED’s legal services.

• Contribute to staff development plans and performance appraisals.

Technical Leadership and Policy Development (40%):

• Lead on policy development for legal services provision in SEED.

• Design policies, guidelines and SOPs for the legal services.

• Provide insight into the legal structure/court system in the Kurdistan region.

• Develop/improve legal templates and tools.

• Advise senior management and Technical Department on the immediate and longer-term policy and advocacy objectives related to legal services.

• Advise senior management and Technical Department on legal issues relevant to the legal activities.

• Conduct primary and desk-based research and analysis on human rights issues.

• Analyze Iraqi and Kurdistan laws, regulations, policies, and practices, and provide recommendations and technical guidance for reform. www.seedkurdistan.org

• Provide insight into the legal structure/court system in the Kurdistan region.

• Draft reports, memos, papers, briefs, and opinion editorials.

• Provide content and input on communications materials including website, promotional materials, and social media, and ensure it complies with SEED’s storytelling policy.

Monitoring and Evaluation (5%):

• Support program M&E, including the development of tools, to ensure that M&E systems provide adequate feedback

• Make recommendations for program development and course correction

• Support quality reporting

Coordination and Organizational Representation (5%):

• Develop strategic partnerships with other legal services provides in the Kurdistan region.

• Maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders including government, NGOs, donors, and UN agencies.

• Provide training for external audiences, as requested, including the Center for MHPSS, and other NGO service providers and government agencies on legal services as needed.

• Play a key role in planning and conducting advocacy.

Essential criteria:

• A law degree from a recognized university (a master’s degree is preferable).

• Membership of the Kurdistan Bar Association and permission to work in the KRI (is preferable).

• A minimum of seven years of legal practice, including in court.

• At least 5 years of experience working with an NGO.

• Strong belief in human rights and gender equality.

• Ability to think creatively to solve problems and devise innovative  legal arguments.

• Treat all people with respect regardless of age, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, disability status, marital status, and ethnicity.

• Good interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills.

• Good diplomatic and persuasion skills.

• High standard of spoken and written Arabic and Kurdish, with English a plus.

• Good computer skills.

• Ability to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments.

• Demonstrated commitment to human rights.

• High regard toward preserving the confidentiality of work-related information and data.

To Apply:

• Send one PDF with your cover letter, CV, and contact information for 3 references to jobs@seedkurdistan.org using “Legal Advisor, Erbil” as the subject of your email. 
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. 
• Only complete applications will be reviewed. NO CALLS PLEASE. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.