Senior Legal Case Worker – ECA Focal Point

INTERSOS is a non-profit humanitarian aid organisation that works to bring assistance to people in danger, victims of natural disasters and armed conflicts. Established in 1992 with support from the Italian Federation of Trade Unions, its actions are based on the values of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equal rights and opportunities for all people and respect for diversity and coexistence, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable and the unprotected.

INTERSOS identifies with the core values of CONCORD, the European Confederation of NGOs; it adheres to international codes of conduct for humanitarian organisations and the values and principles expressed within those codes. INTERSOS is recognised by the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the European Commission and the principal UN agencies; it is privileged to hold an advisory status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
INTERSOS is an independent association which, through its own humanitarian operators, intervenes to effectively answer the needs of people in serious crises situations, mainly in the world's poorest regions, who are suffering, deprived of rights, dignity and essentials goods. It maintains a flexible operating structure. The head office in Italy coordinates, supports and monitors the planned activities in the countries of intervention carried out by decentralised offices.

Job Purpose:

The Senior Legal Caseworker (ECA focal point) will be mainly responsible for managing the Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA) component within the UNHCR funded protection program in the North and Akkar governorates. S/he will receive cases through self-referral, internal and external referral and then assess and follow up the cases together with the team of legal caseworkers, according to established SOPs. Furthermore, s/he will manage the team of legal caseworkers in regard to ECA related activities.

ECA cases to be considered:

• Persons with Specific Needs (PwSN)
• Refugee beneficiaries facing problems with ID confiscation at health facilities

Generic Duties:

1. Manage and coordinate the ECA program within the protection operation in close collaboration with the Protection Officer, Legal Assistance;
2. Manages the team of legal caseworkers in regard to the ECA component;
3. Plans and schedules the workflow;
4. Supervises and monitors the management of cases;
5. Ensures proper communication and coordination with Protection Officer, Legal Assistance;
6. Liaises and coordinates with UNHCR and case management agencies in the catchment areas;
7. Ensures the proper handling of ECA data;
8. Reports (internally and externally) on achievements and challenges related to ECA;
9. Participate in ECA related meetings and working groups;
10. Accomplish any other task not here listed if necessary to the projects achievement.

Specific Duties:

1. Takes in cases that might be considered for ECA through referral;
2. Act as ECA focal point for referrals in North and Akkar
3. Conducts interviews with beneficiaries in order to assess the case;
4. Plans and schedules the handling of assessed cases;
5. Dispatches cases to the legal caseworkers;
6. Supervises and follows up on cases provided with ECA
7. Tracks the cases provided with ECA
8. Reports on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis the expenditure tracking sheets and number of reached cases to PM and Reporting Officer
9. Revises the eligibility criteria for ECA cases, as needed
10. Coordinates with other agencies that provide ECA within the area to avoid duplication
11. Updates RAIS on a weekly basis for cases provide with ECA
12. Provides on time feedback to other agencies for referred cases
13. Liaises with health facilitates in regard to ID confiscation cases and mediates if needed;
14. Liaises closely with Protection Officer and technical support at coordination level (GBV/CP Coordinator and Protection Coordinator) in case of challenges, constraints, or other needs

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

Professional Competencies:

• Minimum 3 years of work experience
• Previous experience in humanitarian work (working on refugee related legal issues)
• Familiarity with Emergency Cash Assistance (ECA) SOPs and standards
• Basic knowledge of civil documentation issues and procedures, legal status and residency renewal process of refugees
• Knowledge on how to communicate with vulnerable population groups such as women, children, youth, elderly, disabled and refugees
• Knowledge and understanding of local communities and customary rules
• Computer/IT literacy (MS Office: Word, Excel, Internet etc.)
• Reporting skills
• Driving License issued more than one year ago

Behavioral competencies:

• Teamwork
• Communication Skills
• Planning and Organizing, Ability to work under pressure and independently
• Flexibility and adaptability; willingness to move across the assigned project areas and to spend extended periods within communities
• Initiative
• Problem solving and decision making
• Strategic vision
• Leadership: developing and motivating staff
• Driving and achieving results

Humanitarian motivation and cultural awareness; High confidentiality, respect and non-discrimination attitude