Paralegal

Terre des hommes - Lausanne is seeking 4 qualified Paralegal based in Bekaa (Baalbek and Hermel districts).

Job Purpose / Main Functions:

Under the guidance of the Senior Legal Officer, the Paralegal is responsible for assessing legal needs in the field and delivering legal awareness, counseling, and assistance before relevant administrative bodies and courts. The role includes conducting on-site case intake and managing cases referred by external stakeholders, including UNHCR and partner NGOs. The Paralegal will facilitate legal information sessions on topics such as protection, rights and legal status, HLP, CP, GBV, and other priority issues identified at the field level.

As a member of a mobile team, the Paralegal will be primarily field-based, traveling across Baalbeck/Hermel areas as required to follow up with beneficiaries. The position also involves collaborating with community leaders to support community-level advocacy efforts and engaging in mediation and negotiation processes when necessary.

Technical Support on Legal and Juvenile Justice

• Conduct regular mobile field visits to Baalbeck/Hermel area in accordance with the weekly work plan to identify legal needs and provide on-site legal counselling to the beneficiaries.

• Undertake ad hoc visits to Nofous, General Security Offices (GSO), and other public entities, as required by the supervisor, to support administrative and legal procedures.

• Provide direct legal assistance before relevant administrative bodies under the guidance of the Senior Legal Officer.

• Offer legal awareness sessions on protection, rights, legal status, and other field-identified priorities.

• Facilitate one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions with refugees, host community members, service providers, and state actors to assess legal and protection concerns.

• Analyse field data, identify trends, and highlight emerging legal protection risks.

• Maintain accurate records of urgent legal needs identified and actions taken to support beneficiaries.

Legal Support on Projects

• Provide technical advice to field teams to ensure high-quality implementation of legal and judicial activities across all areas of operation, in alignment with program strategies and work plans.

• Contribute to legal-related needs assessments with partners, stakeholders, women, men, families, and children.

• Strengthen Tdh’s engagement with refugees, community leaders, and municipal actors to ensure sustained access to affected populations.

• Support the technical unit in legal advocacy efforts through evidence gathering, field insights, and community engagement.

• Produce weekly activity reports using Tdh and UNHCR reporting tools.

Capacity Building, Advocacy & Awareness

• Deliver legal awareness sessions on protection issues, rights, legal status procedures, and dispute resolution mechanisms.

• Support the development and dissemination of legal awareness materials tailored to community needs.

• Contribute technical input to legal awareness and advocacy initiatives at the community and program levels.

• Support knowledge exchange and capacity-building efforts across Tdh Lebanon and the broader MENA program.

• Develop and disseminate legal awareness materials to targeted communities.

• Input as needed legal-related awareness and advocacy actions.

Case Management & Coordination

• Identify beneficiaries through mobile field visits, community outreach, self-referrals, and referrals from external agencies, including UNHCR and other NGOs.

• Maintain a case management system to document and monitor legal assistance activities.

• Identify eligible beneficiaries through community outreach, self-identification, and referrals from external agencies.

• Establish and maintain a fixed schedule in designated community centers for legal consultations.

• Conduct door-to-door consultations and mobile legal aid services by appointment.

Representation and Coordination

• In collaboration with, and upon request of, the A2J Senior Technical Programme Officer, ensure Tdh’s representation with national entities (including the Ministry of Justice and other national and local legal and judicial stakeholders), and support smooth coordination and collaboration.

• Ensure that a positive and professional image of the foundation is consistently conveyed. In particular, uphold the foundation’s mandate, ethics, values, and positions in all interactions with third parties.

• Establish and maintain a network with other organizations operating in the same field of activity.

Internal Coordination

• Work in close relationship with other members of the project team and with other departments of the delegation and regional colleagues.

• Participate in the data analysis and reporting as related to the position.

Reporting

• Share the reporting tools on a timely manner with line manager.

• Support technical reporting as related to her/his scope of tasks.

Security

• Comply with Tdh Security Regulations.

• Inform and share any incident or information related to the security of staff and beneficiaries with the line Manager.

Organisational Policies

• Adhere to Tdh’s Global Code of Conduct (GCD), Child Safeguarding Policy (CSP), Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy, and Gender and Diversity Policy and its principles of child protection, ensuring these principles are upheld and promptly notifying the CSP/PSEA Focal Point of any potential breaches.

• Remain aware of, comply with, and promote the practices and values outlined in all other Tdh policies and procedures, including Internal Regulations, Standard Operating Procedures, and related policies.

• Actively participate in weekly and monthly coordination meetings with the line manager.

Other

• Provide support to other teams and to the line manager as needed.

• Perform any other duties requested by the line manager that are aligned with the role and its responsibilities.

Values:

o The post holder works under a freelancing agreement and is respectful, honest, punctual, and adheres to deadlines. S/he is creative, pacifist, proactive, and committed, and remains non-political during office hours. S/he maintains constant communication with colleagues and supervisors, openly communicates challenges, and actively contributes to and enriches discussions. S/he treats people of all religions, ages, genders, and economic backgrounds with respect and equality, actively promotes their well-being, and speaks up when necessary. S/he is willing to continuously develop his/her capacities and is open to engaging with all thematic areas Tdh works on, contributing to comprehensive programme implementation.

o S/he uses Tdh equipment, vehicles, premises, internet, and electricity responsibly and economically, and positively represents Tdh to beneficiaries, stakeholders, and the general public.

Job Requirements:

• Academic Background:

o A Bachelor’s degree in Law is required. A Master’s degree is a plus but not mandatory.

o Only candidates with directly related and relevant educational backgrounds will be considered eligible for the recruitment process for this position.

• Experience:

o At least 3 years’ of professional experience in the field of legal protection/justice

o At least 1 year experience in INGO, NGO at officer level preferably in child protection related experience

o Experience in capacity building and training

o Experience in designing and implementing awareness sessions

• Technical Competencies:

o Strong knowledge of CP and GBV principles and practices.

o Strong knowledge of HLP laws, property rights, and legal aid processes.

o Understanding of and commitment to child’s rights and human rights, child protection issues and Lebanese legal community.

o Experience working with children, adolescents, youth, caregivers, and families from diverse backgrounds.

o Skills in quality assurance, monitoring, and reporting.

o Ability to contribute to innovation and development initiatives.

o Proficiency in computer applications and tools.

o Respect for and adherence to the institutional framework and organizational policies.

• Other Skills:

o Strong communication, interaction, negotiation and facilitation skills.

o Strong organizational and leadership skills.

o Ability to manage oneself effectively.

o Commitment to the organization’s mission and values.

o Ability to work independentely and collaboratively within a team.

o Proficiency in English and Arabic (written, read and spoken).

o Valid driving license (mandatory).