Job Description

Legal Expert

Danish Refugee Council, one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs, is currently looking for a highly qualified Legal Expert(Specialist)

About the job

The Legal Expert is responsible for providing legal aid, advocacy, and access to justice for GBV survivors, ensuring their rights are upheld and they receive appropriate legal assistance. The role includes developing legal protection frameworks, training local stakeholders on GBV laws, and supporting the project's grievance redress mechanism (GRM) in line with the World Bank-funded Somalia Education for Human Capital Development Project (SEHCD). This includes Banadir region, Southwest State, Hirshabelle State, Galmudug State, Puntland, and Jubaland State.

This role is contingent upon the successful securing of funding for the project.

Responsibilities:

• Provide legal aid, counseling, and representation for GBV survivors, ensuring their rights are protected under Somali law and international human rights standards.
• Facilitate access to justice by guiding survivors through legal processes, including case filing, reporting procedures, and follow-ups with judicial authorities.
• Support the development and implementation of legal referral pathways and case management systems in coordination with psychosocial, medical, and GBV case management teams.
• Train law enforcement, judiciary personnel, community leaders, and school authorities on GBV legal frameworks, survivor rights, and ethical case handling. Advocate for legal reforms and policy improvements that strengthen protections for survivors of GBV, SEA (Sexual Exploitation and Abuse), and SH (Sexual Harassment).
• Work closely with the GBV Specialist and grievance redress mechanism (GRM) team to handle GBV-related complaints ethically and confidentially.
• Ensure project compliance with national laws, international human rights frameworks, and best practices in survivor-centered legal responses.
• Conduct community awareness campaigns on GBV-related legal rights, available justice mechanisms, and protection services.
• Monitor case trends, legal gaps, and systemic challenges affecting GBV survivors, providing recommendations for policy and legal reforms.
• Contribute to the development of legal guidelines, policies, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling GBV cases within the project.
• Support data collection and reporting on legal aid services, case outcomes, and barriers to justice for survivors, ensuring ethical documentation

Experiences and Qualifications

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have: -

• Minimum of 6 years of experience practicing law in Somalia, with expertise in human rights, GBV legal frameworks, and survivor-centered justice mechanisms.
• Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) or related field.
• Membership in the Somalia Bar Association or a recognized legal body is preferred.
• Additional training in human rights law, gender-based violence response, or international humanitarian law is desirable.
• Strong understanding of national and international legal instruments related to GBV, SEA, and SH, including compliance with World Bank environmental and social safeguards.
• Experience in case management, survivor representation, and engagement with judicial institutions.
• Proven track record of policy development, advocacy, and training legal and community actors on GBV-related legal protections.
• Familiarity with grievance redress mechanisms (GRM), legal aid services, and ethical documentation of GBV cases.
• Ability to liaise with police, courts, and government legal bodies to ensure survivor protection and access to justice.
• Knowledge of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms in community justice systems and their impact on survivors.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

1. Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 
2. Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 
3. Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 
4. Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 
5. Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: 12 months subject to funding.

Band: NM-G

Work location: Somalia

Start date: TBD

Reporting to: Program Manager

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contract.

Skills Required

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