Senior Protection Legal Officer

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5.8 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance, and emergency assistance. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. If you are looking for a rewarding opportunity to make a tangible difference for one of the most vulnerable communities in the world, UNRWA would like to hear from you. Senior Protection Legal Officer reports to the Protection Team Leader.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT The Senior Legal Protection Officer leads UNRWA's legal aid services in Lebanon, providing strategic direction, programme oversight, and technical guidance to Legal Aid Focal Points who deliver frontline legal awareness, counselling, and referrals for Palestine Refugees in Lebanon (PRL) and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) in Lebanon. The Officer ensures that legal aid services are responsive to protection risks, consistent with applicable laws and procedures, and aligned with UNRWA's strategy in Lebanon. The Officer sets service standards and standard operating procedures for legal aid, ensures compliance with protection principles including confidentiality, informed consent, accountability to affected populations (AAP),and data protection, and embeds quality assurance across all delivery channels. The Senior Legal Protection Officer also provides authoritative advice to senior management on legal trends, risks, and opportunities. The postholder develops and maintains relations with relevant Lebanese authorities and justice sector actors on key legal topics. The incumbent leads engagement with these stakeholders where relevant and advances the interest of Palestine refugees in this engagement. The incumbent ensures that UNRWA's legal aid programme remains aligned with evolving Lebanese laws, administrative practices, and refugee policies affecting PRL and PRS in Lebanon. The Officer works closely with protection monitoring and advocacy functions to ensure consistency and coherence across all protection activities. The incumbent inform decision-making and strategic planning, drawing on data collected within the protection team' (including legal aid functions), within UNRWA, and from external sources. II. KEY RESULTS EXPECTED 1. Legal aid services are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with UNRWA guidelines, addressing priority legal barriers affecting PRL and PRS in Lebanon. 2. Legal representation cases are professionally reviewed and referred to the contracted law firm in a timely and needs-based manner, with documented criteria and due diligence, and outcomes tracked until resolution. 3. UNRWA maintains up-to-date legal and policy and trends analysis to inform programming, advocacy, and risk mitigation strategies, including the preparation of periodic legal briefs for senior management. 4. Effective liaison and constructive relationships exist with relevant Lebanese government institutions and justice sector actors, strengthening protection and service access, with agreed problem-solving channels for priority case types. 5. Communities receive clear, accurate, and accessible information on legal rights, procedures, and available services through multi-channel outreach, including hotlines, clinics, digital platforms, and targeted sessions for specific groups. 6. Staff and partner capacity is strengthened, and programme quality is continuously improved based on evidence and feedback. Ill. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 1. MANAGEMENT& LEADERSHIP • Oversee legal aid programme management, including planning, implementation, workplan development, financial tracking, budget monitoring, donor reporting, and proposal writing. • Manage and supervise Legal Focal Points across UNRWA's area offices; set objectives, review performance, and provide guidance and capacity-building support. • Develop, maintain, and implement operational guidelines and tools for legal awareness, counselling, referrals, and documentation, including SOPs for intake, eligibility, prioritization, escalation, and safe referrals. • Use data and community feedback to continuously improve the quality and responsiveness of legal aid services and adjust outreach modalities across areas based on needs. 2. TECHNICAL EXPERTISE & SERVICE DELIVERY • Provide technical guidance on legal counselling and referral processes to Legal Focal Points and Protection colleagues. • Supervise the case management cycle, including intake, screening, eligibility assessment, legal counselling, follow-up, and case closure, using standardized templates, checklists, and documentation requirements. • Review cases for referral to UNRWA's contracted legal aid law firm, including complex or precedent-setting cases requiring representation, and monitor progress, court dates, and decisions until closure. • Maintain a knowledge base of legal opinions, templates, and relevant case law, and commission targeted legal research on civil documentation, family law, labour, housing, land and property (HLP), and residency, as needed. • Lead the production and periodic update of legal information materials (fact sheets, flowcharts, videos, public notices) in Arabic and English that are easy to understand and adapted to different community needs. • Design and supervise legal awareness and digital outreach activities, ensuring inclusiveness and accessibility for women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups, including mobile clinics and remote counselling options. 3. CASEWORK QUALITY& HOTLINE MANAGEMENT • Ensure safe, timely, and confidential management of legal aid cases, maintaining clear documentation and referral pathways. • Ensure the legal hotline is effectively managed, accessible, and integrated with the broader legal aid case management system, with functioning escalation protocols and clear staff responsibilities, including defined response time targets, call scripts, quality monitoring, and after-hours emergency escalation. 4. GOVERNMENTLIAISON & POLICY ENGAGEMENT • In coordination with senior management, serve as the primary focal point for engagement with Lebanese authorities on issues related to the legal situation of Palestine refugees in the country, including the General Security Office (GSO), Directorate of Political Affairs and Refugees (DPAR),Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), particularly in relation to legal residency, civil documentation, labour rights, and access to services, in order to troubleshoot systemic barriers and facilitate case resolution. • Monitor and analyze legal, regulatory, and administrative developments and advise senior • Draft policy notes, talking points, briefing materials, and advocacy inputs, and accompany senior staff to meetings with government stakeholders, as required. 5. COORDINATION,PARTNERSHIPS & ADVOCACY • Collaborate with UN agencies, NGOs,legal actors, and coordination bodies on legal aid-related issues and maintain updated referral mechanisms, including formalized referral pathways and periodic partner mapping. • Represent UNRWA in protection and legal working groups, ensuring that legal challenges facing PRL and PRS in Lebanon are clearly articulated and contribute to joint advocacy positions and products. • Contribute legal analysis and updates to internal advocacy, programme design, and donor reporting processes. 6. MONITORING,REPORTING & LEARNING • Work with the Information & Reporting Officer to establish dashboards and reporting tools that track caseloads, outcomes, processing times, satisfaction, and risks, including protection-related indicators. • Produce monthly legal trend analyses, quarterly progress reports, and annual reviews, identifying policy gaps, and recommending programme improvements. • Ensure all data is securely managed in line with protection standards and data protection protocols. 7. OTHER DUTIES Undertake any additional tasks assigned by the Protection Team Leader, including participation in emergency response, planning processes, and cross-departmental initiatives.

UN Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity, and Core Competencies of Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results apply by default. • Professionalism: Demonstrated expertise in legal aid and refugee protection; ability to interpret and apply Lebanese laws as they relate to Palestine refugees • Communication: Excellent written and spoken Arabic and English; ability to simplify complex legal language for non-technical audiences, ability to engage sensitively and effectively with members of the Palestine refugee community • Planning and Organizing: Strong organizational skills, ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities • Teamwork: Collaborative approach, fosters respectful and inclusive work environments • Accountability: Delivers outputs to agreed standards, takes responsibility for assigned tasks • Leadership and Empowering Others: Ability to guide and develop team members, promote continuous learning • Negotiation and Influencing: Builds trust and navigate sensitive legal and political discussions effectively • Problem Solving and Innovation: Identifies legal and operational challenges and proposes practical solutions

• A university degree in law (LLB or equivalent) and advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Law, or a related field such as refugee studies, international development, or international from an accredited institution. • Membership in the Lebanese Bar (Beirut or Tripoli Bar Association), is required

Not available.

Minimum 8 years of relevant legal aid or legal protection experience, is required. Including at least 5 years in programme management or coordination roles, is required. Out of which at least 3-5 years of progressively responsible and relevant legal experience, including practice before national authorities (e.g. Ministry of Interior, courts, General Security Office) - Demonstrable experience in legal aid, protection, or access to justice programming, particularly with refugees, asylum seekers, or other vulnerable populations - Strong knowledge of Lebanese civil documentation, family law, and residency regulations - Experience in providing legal counselling and casework in complex or sensitive legal matters - Experience supervising staff, conducting legal awareness activities, proposal writing, and producing accessible legal materials, is required. Applicants are required to mention if they have close relative(s) in UNRWA (mother, father, daughter, son, sister brother), please provide full name(s) and relationship. If applicable, please provide further details below. Applicants are required to mention if they are a Palestine refugee. If yes, please provide you Registration Card Number Candidates are required to make a declaration as to whether they have any current or past affiliations with non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, political organisations, military, or have/are engaged in activities or have made any public statements, that could be seen to impact their neutrality, objectivity or independence in the performance of their duties for the UN / UNRWA. Any declaration will not necessarily disqualify candidates from consideration for this post. Indicate your current involvement in any outside activities, as it is required. Including but not limited to employment, independent contractor/freelance consultant, board member (corporate, academic, etc), expert group, lobby, public speaking/writing (article, book, blog, social media etc), teaching, conferences, training, press statement, voluntary work, political activity, fundraising/donation for non-UNRWA entity, running for public office, role in political party or orgs, owning business, work for gov./NGO/private company/charity, UNRWA partner/vendor, full/part-time, paid or not. A “yes” answer doesn’t necessarily lead to exclusion from future work at UNRWA, yet misrepresentation in providing accurate/complete info can lead to disqualification/termination of appointment, if hired.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Type of Contract: Limited Duration Contract (LDC), Band H. The Limited Duration Contract applies to external candidates and UNRWA internal candidates on LDC. Duration of Contract: 6 months - with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need. Grade & Salary: LDC- Band H monthly salary of USD 2,977.30 (basic salary USD 2,810.30 + special allowance USD 167) Other Benefits: Other benefits include compulsory medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave pro-rated to the duration of the contract where less than one year, and family allowance (if applicable). Additional benefits: - 2 days of sick leave for each completed month of service. - Maternity Leave, upon meeting eligibility requirements. - 2 weeks paternity leave. upon meeting eligibility requirements. This vacancy notice is open to internal candidates on LDC contract and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Lebanon, and within commuting distance of the duty station with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Lebanon, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender balance in its workforce. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to registered Palestine refugees and candidates assisting the Agency to meet its commitment to gender parity. UNRWA welcomes applications from qualified candidates with disabilities. A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post in the future should suitable vacancies become available. Only applications that have been fully completed in UNRWA's online e-recruitment system inspira will be considered and no late applications will be accepted. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience under the experience tabs as per the requirements in the Job Opening. All acquired university degrees must also be stated, if applicable. Applicants applying to positions for Grades 12 to 20 or LDC Bands E to H must submit a cover letter/motivational statement in order to be considered. Additionally, providing incorrect or misleading information on an application will result in the immediate disqualification of a candidate. For UNRWA internal staff, they are required to specify and include their current UNRWA grade level. To do so applicants should select under "Category" RLG, scroll down to see all categories, then select their local grade. Please find below the link to a video that guides applicants on how to apply to Job Openings that approach you for guidance: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MH-IYA6Y8kxA1fgao5qyTV8VwNajgx4u/view Equivalency: Equivalency may apply for this post. NB: Work experience alone or formal qualifications with no relevant work experience are not considered an acceptable combination. Advertisements published only in English will only accept applications in English, and Arabic submissions will not be considered. The Agency may disqualify applicants whose name appears on the UN Sanctions List, or a UN database of staff separated for reason of misconduct or of staff who separated whilst misconduct processes were pending. Desirable qualification: N/A Additional Information: N/A UNRWA shares investigation and misconduct information with other UN Agencies, and past and prospective employers, about staff members who have been separated for misconduct, or who have separated whilst an investigation and/or disciplinary process for misconduct is underway; and such persons may be prohibited from employment with the United Nations. The Agency will immediately disqualify applicants who are ineligible for any reason in accordance with the Agency regulatory framework. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live. We are pleased to announce that applications for internship/volunteer assignments are now open. We invite all interested individuals to submit their applications through the following link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXdiVz61BAUCSXAnx9Bn0y0erblqKBt7xia_YM3M167nIBGw/viewform?usp=sf_link. For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her. UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups. At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment. Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.