Legal Expert-Subject to Funding Availability

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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading humanitarian and development organization working in more than 40 countries to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including climate crisis, to survive, recover and gain control of their future.

Present in Somalia in since the 1980s, the IRC implements humanitarian and development programming across various regions in Somalia in sectors such as WASH, health, nutrition, protection and women’s empowerment. The IRC currently has headquarters in Mogadishu and field presence in Garowe, Galkacyo, Dhusamareb and Baidoa.

JOB AND PROJECT OVERVIEW

The IRC is seeking a qualified Legal Expert to support the implementation of a project aimed at ensuring that GBV services are effectively integrated into the education system in Somalia.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Legal Expert will ensure that GBV survivors—including women, girls, boys, and men—have access to legal aid and justice in a safe, ethical, and confidential manner. This role will focus on strengthening legal response mechanisms, delivering direct legal assistance, and advocating for policy and legislative reforms that improve legal protection for all survivors.

The Legal Expert will collaborate closely with WPE and child protection officers, psychosocial staff, law enforcement, judiciary actors, and community leaders to uphold the rights of survivors in alignment with international human rights and GBV and Child Protection Minimum standards.

The position will be based in Mogadishu, with frequent travel to project sites. The Legal Expert will report to the GBV Program Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide confidential, child and survivor-centered legal advice and representation for GBV/child abuse survivors, including children, in line with national laws and international human rights frameworks.
• Strengthen legal referral systems and ensure effective coordination with law enforcement, courts, legal aid partners, and protection actors to support timely and sensitive legal redress.
• Conduct legal awareness and rights education sessions for adult and child survivors, community members, and frontline service providers, ensuring materials are age-appropriate and accessible.
• Provide capacity-building and training for legal professionals, law enforcement officers, and other stakeholders, on core concepts of GBV, child protection, child and survivor-centered justice, and trauma-informed legal responses.
• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, informed consent, and ethical case handling, respecting the wishes, safety, and dignity of all survivors.
• Advocate for legislative and policy reforms that strengthen protection mechanisms and remove barriers to justice for survivors of GBV/child abuse, especially women and children.
• Monitor, document, and report on legal aid service delivery, gaps in access to justice, and trends in survivors need to inform programming and advocacy efforts.
• Collaborate with GBV and child protection case managers to ensure integrated and holistic support for survivors, including coordinated referrals to medical, psychosocial, and protection services.
• Engage with community structures and local leadership to foster child and survivor-friendly justice practices, reduce stigma, and promote accountability for perpetrators.
• Contribute to project reporting, case tracking, and learning agendas by providing legal expertise and analysis.
• Ensure legal support services are inclusive of vulnerable groups, including adolescent girls, children, persons with disabilities, and those at heightened risk of GBV.

Skills and qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B.) or a related legal field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience practicing law in Somalia, with a focus on human rights, gender-based violence, or legal aid services.
• Strong knowledge of Somali legal systems, customary laws, and international human rights frameworks.
• Experience in legal representation, case management, and justice sector coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to work with survivors of GBV in a sensitive and ethical manner.
• Strong advocacy skills and experience working on policy reforms related to women’s rights and protection.
• Knowledge of GBV case management, protection frameworks, and humanitarian response mechanisms.
• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, with experience in stakeholder engagement and community mobilization.
• Ability to work in complex emergency settings and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent command of Somali and English (spoken and written).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for documentation and reporting.

How to apply

Apply the following link:

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity: Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: At IRC, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, physical or mental ability, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply

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