StARS has established a full-service center dedicated to meeting the education, protection, support and advocacy needs of unaccompanied children and youth in Cairo. The Resettlement Legal Officer for Unaccompanied Children and Youths works as part of a growing Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team alongside a team of legal staff providing specialized legal representation and advice to the unaccompanied children and youth refugee population in their UNHCR process.

Role

Under the supervision of the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator, the Resettlement Legal Officer for Unaccompanied Children and Youths is responsible for the provision of legal advice and representation to unaccompanied children and youth refugees in matters related to protection and resettlement. This includes: assessment of initial requests for assistance with resettlement; the screening of cases to identify those of heightened vulnerability fitting UNHCR’s resettlement criteria; drafting referral documents in support of claims for resettlement; and providing advice to unaccompanied children and youth refugees in all matters related to protection and resettlement through drop-in services. The Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Legal Officer is also expected to contribute to advocacy efforts regarding the unaccompanied children and youth refugee population and to train volunteer staff.

Responsibilities

All duties are carried out under the supervision of the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator.

Legal and Technical

●       To develop and supervise the screening and intake of potential clients for representation in protection and resettlement matters.

●       To prepare a required number of referrals per month.

●       To maintain good working knowledge of UNHCR policies and procedures in protection and resettlement matters.

●       To assist in the preparation of protection and resettlement referrals to UNHCR.

●       To identify cases appropriate for expedited consideration by UNHCR and to draft such requests.

●       To assist with follow-up communication and inquiries to UNHCR’s African/Iraqi and Syrian Resettlement Units regarding resettlement cases.

●       To provide general legal counseling and assistance to unaccompanied children and youth refugees regarding their applications for registration, protection, and resettlement before UNHCR.

●       To identify domestic legal needs of unaccompanied children and youths and prepare referrals to UNHCR.

●       To undertake country of origin research in support of individual claims and for general organizational research purposes. To maintain good working knowledge of the current political and social situations in the countries of origin of StARS’ clients.

●       To assess extra-legal client needs and refer to other StARS teams or external organizations as appropriate.

●       To undertake comprehensive case management practices including maintaining and updating electronic databases and records for each client, and keeping detailed notes of all casework activities.

●       To adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, the StARS Policies and Procedures Manual, and the StARS Code of Conduct.

Programmatic

●       To assist the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator in development and implementation of team policies and procedures.

●       To provide case reporting data to the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator as requested for purposes of accurately reporting work to senior management, funders, and others.

●       To attend and contribute to Refugee Legal Aid Program meetings and other staff meetings.

●       To build and maintain strong relationships with refugee communities in Cairo.

●       To build and maintain relationships with psychosocial and education staff and operational partners.

Supervisory

●       To assist the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator in the recruitment of volunteer legal advisors and other staff.

●       To assist the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator in conducting intensive one to two week training for new volunteers.

●       Under the supervision of the Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator, to assist in the supervision of volunteer legal advisors in resettlement legal work.

●       To assist the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator in the management of volunteer caseloads, and the provision of case specific advice.

●       To engage proactively in promoting self-care among volunteers and other staff.

●       To ensure high quality legal advice and representation and a refugee rights-based approach.

Finance/Administration

●       To undergo probation and regular performance appraisals.

Communication/Reporting

●       To communicate regularly with the Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator, reporting on all major issues and developments in the field and within Refugee Legal Aid Program.

●       To promote information-sharing within Refugee Legal Aid Program and StARS on all issues affecting the populations we serve.

Working Hours: The Resettlement Legal Officer for Unaccompanied Children and Youth is expected to be at work for 40 hours per week, between the hours of 9am and 5pm, from Sunday to Thursday. Longer hours, evening and weekend work are sometimes necessary. Work will be conducted both in StARS premises and also in refugee communities and centers.

Supervised by: Resettlement Coordinator and the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator

Salary: 5,200 EGP/month, rising to 5,700 EGP/month following successful completion three-month probationary period. Plus 4,020 EGP/year Health Coverage and 100 EGP/month Saving Scheme Contribution upon completion of probationary period.

Additional official benefits as stipulated in StARS Staff Handbook Guidelines.

This position is subject to a three-month probationary period, at which time the employee’s performance will be reviewed and probation may be extended.

To apply: Please send your CV and Cover Letter and brief legal writing sample to applications@stars-egypt.org Using the subject line “Resettlement Legal Officer for Unaccompanied Children and Youth”. All applications should provide contact information of two professional or academic references (referees will only be contacted after interviews).

Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.