5-month short-term assignment

Legal Adviser, IHL Centre Syria Regional Desk

We are looking for a committed individual with a passion for and strong command of international humanitarian law (IHL) to join our team in a role central to our activities in the Syria context.

WHO WE ARE

The Diakonia IHL Centre is an independent expert group that provides rapid and in-depth advice on the law applicable in times of armed conflict, with a view to ensuring the protection of persons in conflict zones worldwide.

We engage in research, advocacy, and training to foster understanding and respect for IHL and for complementary rules of international law. Our rapid and in-depth analyses enable the humanitarian sector and other stakeholders to respond to urgent needs and to promote the effective implementation of humanitarian standards.

The Centre is part of the Swedish development organisation Diakonia. In addition to its Desk in Jerusalem, the Centre has teams based in Bamako, Beirut, and Geneva, which cover conflicts in the Middle East, West Africa, and emerging crises worldwide.

Through our progressive and inclusive approach, we aspire to secure the strongest possible protection for every person affected by armed conflict. No one should be left unprotected; no situation is beyond the law.

Syria Regional Desk

The Syria Regional Desk works with humanitarian actors and organisations in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, to enhance humanitarian protection and generate greater respect for international humanitarian law.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Reporting to the Syria Regional Desk Manager, the Legal Adviser will work on a 5-month project to ensure the project’s success by providing expert legal guidance, conducting thorough reviews, and engaging strategically with stakeholders to uphold humanitarian norms and protect civilians. This role is crucial in addressing complex legal challenges that arise from response activities, such as those related to Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rights in North-West Syria (NWS) following the earthquake. This position is vital for equipping humanitarian responders with the necessary tools to address these challenges beyond mere monitoring and complaint systems.

Objectives, Tasks and Deliverables

This plan outlines the primary objectives, tasks, and deliverables for the Legal Adviser, ensuring effective contribution to the project’s success through targeted activities, thorough reviews, and strategic stakeholder engagement. Please note that this is not a comprehensive list, and additional tasks may be required as the project progresses.

Objectives:

1. Legal Review and Collaboration

– Contribute to the legal review process of the desk review in collaboration with specialised partners.

2. Stakeholder Consultation and Dialogue

– Organise a dialogue/consultation process with relevant stakeholders (LNGOs and INGOs) to address legal and contextual issues related to IHL and IHRL violations.

3. Tool Assessment and Impact Analysis

– Organise consultations and a roundtable to assess the use and impact of the developed tool on humanitarian interventions.

4. Pilot Tool Review

– Review the pilot tool and provide recommendations from an international law perspective, primarily IHL.

5. Awareness and Capacity Building

– Lead awareness and capacity building activities related to the tool, including organising an annual training for humanitarian aid workers.

6. Global Engagement and Advocacy

– Engage with INGOs and donors on the global aspect of the initiative and conduct awareness sessions.

Tasks and Deliverables:

1. Legal Review and Collaboration

Tasks:

– Identify the scope and objectives of the desk review in collaboration with other partners.

– Conduct a thorough legal review of relevant documents and materials.

– Prepare a comprehensive legal analysis report.

Deliverables:

– Legal analysis report on the desk review findings.

– Summary of collaborative efforts with other partners.

2. Stakeholder Consultation and Dialogue

Tasks:

– Plan and organise a series of consultations with LNGOs and INGOs.

– Facilitate discussions addressing legal, political, organisational, and community issues contributing to IHL and IHRL violations.

– Organise an in-person roundtable, subject to access and security considerations.

Deliverables:

– Detailed plan for stakeholder consultations.

– Meeting minutes and reports from consultations and roundtable discussions.

– Final report summarising key issues and recommendations from the consultations.

3. Tool Assessment and Impact Analysis

Tasks:

– Schedule and conduct consultations and roundtables at a later stage to evaluate the developed tool’s effectiveness.

– Gather and analyse feedback from LNGOs and INGOs on the tool’s impact.

– Prepare a detailed impact assessment report.

Deliverables:

– Consultation and roundtable schedule.

– Feedback analysis report from LNGOs and INGOs.

– Comprehensive impact assessment report on the developed tool.

4. Pilot Tool Review

Tasks:

– Review the pilot tool, focusing on its adherence to international law and IHL.

– Provide detailed recommendations for improvement.

– Collaborate with global experts to ensure comprehensive feedback.

Deliverables:

– Review report on the pilot tool with IHL recommendations.

– List of suggested improvements and adjustments.

5. Awareness and Capacity Building

Tasks:

– Develop training materials and modules for humanitarian aid workers.

– Organise and conduct an annual training session focused on the developed tool.

– Raise awareness about the tool through various capacity-building activities.

Deliverables:

– Training materials and modules.

– Annual training session report and participant feedback.

– Summary of awareness and capacity-building activities.

6. Global Engagement and Advocacy

Tasks:

– Engage with relevant INGOs and donors to promote the initiative and the developed tool.

– Plan and conduct awareness sessions on the global stage.

– Develop advocacy materials to support global engagement efforts.

Deliverables:

– Engagement plan with INGOs and donors.

– Reports from awareness sessions.

– Advocacy materials and documentation of global engagement efforts.

Experience and Qualifications

• Expertise in international humanitarian law (IHL).
• Degree in law (LLB or LLM) with specialisation and/or experience in international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international criminal law.
• 2-3 years’ relevant experience as a researcher or legal adviser within an international governmental organisation, the United Nations, non-governmental organisations or academic circle.
• Experience of working with Housing, Land and Property (HLP) thematic is desired.
• Demonstrated capacity to conduct advanced legal research and analysis independently, and draft high-quality texts in English.
• Expertise in intersectionality, and the age, gender and disability dynamics of armed conflict would be an asset.
• Outstanding level of English writing proficiency, other languages, specifically Arabic, are an asset.