Project Lawyer

Terre des hommes - Lausanne is seeking 2 qualified Project Lawyer based in Bekaa (Baalbek and Hermel districts).

Job Purpose / Main Functions:

Under the supervision of the Senior Legal Officer, the Project Lawyer is responsible for providing high-quality legal information, counseling, assistance, and representation to vulnerable populations in accordance with national legislation, international protection standards, and UNHCR guidelines.

The role requires close coordination with paralegals, project staff, and relevant judicial and administrative authorities.

As part of a mobile legal team, the Project Lawyer will operate primarily in the field across Baalbeck and Hermel, responding to legal protection needs related to civil documentation, legal status, housing, land and property (HLP), family law, child protection (CP), gender-based violence (GBV), and other access to justice priorities.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Technical Support on Legal and Juvenile Justice

• Conduct in-depth intake interviews to assess beneficiaries’ legal needs and determine appropriate legal counseling, assistance, or representation.

• Provide legal counseling and representation before relevant administrative bodies and courts, in line with Lebanese law and organizational procedures.

• Support beneficiaries in obtaining civil and legal documentation (e.g. civil registry documents, residency-related procedures) including accompaniment to relevant authorities when required.

• Conduct home visits in specific cases, particularly for beneficiaries with reduced mobility or heightened protection risks.

• Collaborate closely with paralegals to ensure timely follow-up and continuity of legal cases.

• Identify urgent and complex protection cases and refer them through appropriate internal and external mechanisms.

Legal Support on Projects

• According to the program strategic documents and work plans, advises and supports the field teams in the implementation and quality of all legal or judicial activities and all geographical locations.

• Support legal-related need assessment with partners, stakeholders, girls, women, families, and children.

• Ensure all legal interventions follow confidentiality, do-no-harm, and protection principles, with a survivor-centered and rights-based approach.

Capacity Building, Advocacy & Awareness

• Plan and deliver legal awareness sessions on rights, legal status, protection issues, dispute resolution mechanisms, and other priority topics identified at field level.

• Contribute to the development and review of legal awareness materials adapted to community needs.

• Provide on-the-job technical guidance and mentoring to paralegals on substantive legal matters and procedures.

• Participate in community-level advocacy initiatives and support evidence-based legal advocacy efforts as requested by the Access to Justice team.

Case Management & Coordination

• Ensure accurate documentation, filing, and archiving of legal case files in accordance with data protection and confidentiality standards.

• Maintain up-to-date legal aid services records using organizational and UNHCR reporting tools.

• Analyze case trends and contribute to identifying systemic legal and protection risks.

• Prepare and submit weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc activity and statistical reports to the Senior Legal Officer and A2J Senior Technical Programme Officer.

• Provide regular updates on the progress of individual legal cases and flag challenges or delays in a timely manner.

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

• Maintain accurate and confidential legal case records in the legal tracker/database and share the reporting tools in a timely manner with the 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:

o 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.

o Valid license to practice law in Lebanon and registration with the relevant Bar Association are required.

o Experience:

o At least 5 years’ of professional experience as a practicing lawyer

o At least 3 years’ experience in INGO, NGO at officer level with at least one year in child protection related experience

o Experience in capacity building and training

o Experience in designing and animating workshops

o 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 child protection issues.

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.

o 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).