Galawezh Saeed Legal Fellowship
About SEED
SEED Foundation is a locally registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering quality and holistic approaches, combining international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan. SEED’s programming focuses on three key objectives: 1) the delivery of transformational, comprehensive services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities; 2) strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-development programs; and 3) promoting policy and social change to strengthen rights and protections for vulnerable groups and individuals through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy. SEED’s legal services encompass all legal work and expertise that lawyers undertake on behalf of their clients. These services could be legal information given in individual or group sessions, legal advice given on a particular legal question or a legal issue, or an action on behalf of a person (representation) in a court or in a government office with or without the power of attorney.
About Galawezh Saeed Legal Fellowship
Through this fellowship, SEED offers one highly-motivated fresh graduate of law one-year fellowship in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq with an opportunity to gain practical experience with SEED on human rights law. This opportunity allows new graduates to bring their perspectives and theoretical legal knowledge into the daily practices and improve their experience through capacity-building opportunities.
This program is designed to encourage careers in human rights, assist fresh graduates to start their career as lawyers to provide quality legal services and learn new skills, techniques and survivor-centric approach, and to be strong advocates of the protection of rights for the most vulnerable.
Job Type and Location
- The legal fellow shall be working full-time (37.5 hours per week Sunday to Thursday).
- The duration of the contract will be one year subject to the availability of funds and strong performance.
- Location: Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (KRI)
Roles and Responsibilities
- The legal fellow is expected to perform her/his tasks and responsibilities according to the SEED Policies and SOPs, in particular the Code of Conducts, Accountability and Safeguarding, and Policy on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
- The legal fellow will perform as a junior lawyer carries out a variety of tasks and assignments under the direct supervision of the Lawyer including, but not limited to:
- In line with the prescribed authorities in the ِAttorney Law, provide legal information, and counselling services in regard to gender-based violence, human trafficking, and other human rights violations.
- Assist the assigned lawyers in representation cases through interviewing clients and documentation, development of legal action plans, written and oral presentations and accompanying lawyers for court sessions/ hearings.
- Conduct legal awareness sessions in coordination with the assigned lawyer and help individuals realize and claim their rights.
- Assist the assigned lawyer to advocate on behalf of individual clients with relevant stakeholders including the governmental offices to ensure that rights are upheld and protected.
- Ensure that internal and external referrals are well received, documented, and followed up upon in a timely manner.
- Prepare and proceed all paperwork for legal fees and transportation allowances in line with SEED policies.
- Identify case management and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs of clients and refer them internally and externally. This requires close work with case managers-CMs and psychologists to ensure that clients’ needs are met.
- Adhere to all SEED policies including the policies for the legal services policies and SOPs and human resources, finance, security and procurement and logistic policies and procedures.
- At the request of the legal coordinator, attend SEED meetings and working groups, and ensure a good level of coordination with stakeholders and the communities.
- Maintain electronic and physical archiving of legal cases as per SEED SOPs.
- Provide regular monthly reports on legal activities, cases and challenges to the line manager.
- Identify legal and protection trends and properly document and report them to the Lawyer.
- Any other relevant task as assigned by the legal coordinator.
Required Qualifications
- The legal fellow will be selected through an annual competition process.
- A bachelor degree in law and graduate from classes of 2021 and beyond
- Membership of Kurdistan Bar Association (Iraqi Bar Association if confirmed s/he is allowed to practice law in KRI).
- Language requirements: Kurdish and English (Fluent) and Arabic (Good)
- Basic computer skills
- Good level of knowledge of the legal system and procedures in the Kurdistan Region
Core Competencies
- Professionalism
- Ownership and commitment
- Communication and working relationships
- Understanding policies and procedures
Benefits
The legal fellow will be on a service contract with SEED for up to one year and shall receive a fixed stipend of $800 USD per month, annual leave and health Insurance
Application and Selection Process
SEED is an equal-opportunity employer. The legal fellow shall be selected through a competitive selection process.
Apply to SEED Legal Fellow by completing the Legal Fellowship Application Form. Please submit your completed application form and all supporting documents by October 22, 2024.