UNIVERSITY OF HARGEISA
LEGAL CLINIC, HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT
Position: Community-Based Volunteer Paralegal-University of Hargeisa, Legal Clinic (Human Rights Unit)/ PFAN-12102-067317-00
Location/based on: Wajaale District, frequently travel to Goroyo-Awl, Borama, and Gabiley Districts when required.
Type of Contract: VOLUNTEER
Internal: Only graduates of the University of Hargeisa can apply for this volunteer post.
Starting Date: March/2024
Application Deadline: 06-March-2024
Languages Required: English and Somali
Background
University of Hargeisa (UOH) Legal Clinic was established in 2002 with the support of UNDP and it has been a partner with UNHCR since 2006. Legal Clinic comprised of five units, Criminal unit defense, Civil Litigation unit, access to Justice and awareness unit, Women and Child unit, and Human Rights Unit.
Human Rights Unit which is a partner with UNHCR is the largest Unit of the Legal Clinic and provides free legal aid to people in need of legal aid services, particularly to, refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, IDPs and extremely vulnerable members of the host community in matters relating to criminal cases, civil cases, and customary law, and provides court representation, legal counseling and mediations where necessary. Legal Clinic, Human Rights unit also advocates and provides legal training, and awareness raising to the host and refugee community as well as Somaliland Law enforcement agencies and authorities. In addition to that, the Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit provides shelter assistance to vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers through Conditional cash-based intervention.
UOH Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit Project for the Provision of Free Legal Aid Services is aimed at improving access to national justice system for forcibly displaced persons to UNHCR. As per the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) approach this project is also aimed at improving access to national justice for extremely vulnerable members of the host community who can’t afford to hire a lawyer.
Through the formal justice system, Legal Clinic represents vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, returnees and extremely vulnerable members of host community and by providing a lawyer and an interpreter to overcome any language barriers.
As a result, we are looking for a reliable and trustworthy volunteer to join our organization. However, the purpose of this volunteer is to increase access to the territory for those seeking asylum or international protection in Somaliland by crossing the Somaliland-Ethiopia border. It also aims to promote the right to seek asylum, which is a fundamental right as outlined in Article 35(1) of the Republic of Somaliland’s Constitution, by increasing Somaliland’s access to national asylum procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Volunteer Paralegal under the direct supervision of the Project Manager will;
- On a daily or weekly basis, register new influxes who have crossed the Somaliland-Ethiopia border by screening them and assessing their needs and reasons for crossing.
- Collaborate closely with Somaliland border guards and immigration authorities at the Wajaale and Goroyo-Awl border entrances to ensure the right to seek asylum and access to Somaliland territory for new arrivals.
- Provide legal advices and mediation to forcefully displaced persons in the Wajaale district.
- Document and fill up the details of cases that received legal counseling or mediation, as well as case records for new arrivals.
- Monitor and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other urgent protection related incidents or issues;
- Monitor police stations, detention facilities, and prisons in Wajaale, Gabiley, Goroyo-Awl, and Borama to keep refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, and IDPs up to date on their human rights conditions.
- Referring cases that require legal representation to the Human Rights Unit Hargeisa main office.;
- Minimize the negative and discriminatory attitudes that face forcibly displaced persons from local populations through advocacy
- Sensitize refugees and asylum seekers, community committees, and public officials on refugee rights and obligations through education and guidance.
- Contributing to the capacity building and awareness-raising activities
- Approach authorities on matters of documentation
- Provide refugees and asylum seekers with information regarding their asylum application and their refugee status,
- Offer advice on their cases, making referrals and following up on cases.
- Advocate for the release of arrested refugees, asylum seekers and other forcibly displaced persons at police stations, prisons and places of detention,
- Accompany refugees on visits to organizations and institutions to seek assistance on various social issues (for example, to police stations in order to report crimes).
- Prepare detailed daily, weekly and monthly reports and legal cases updates
- Any other tasks assigned by the manager
Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the Legal Clinic values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of Legal Clinic Human Rights Unit;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Required Skills and Experience
Education & Experience:
- A Bachelor’s degree in, Social Work, Sharia, Law or any other related field;
- Your Transcript cumulative GPA must be 3.83 or above
- Six months of relevant job experience in required.
- Should be able to communicate and build with good relations to vulnerable community and government authorities;
- Excellent inter-personal, problem solving and communication skills;
- Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English, and Somali is required.
- Ability to draft a comprehensive English report is required
Application Procedure
Qualified and interested applicants are encouraged to submit curriculum vitae, testimonials and a letter of interest stating suitability for the position to Hargeisa University Human Resource Office or director.hr@uoh.edu.so with the subject heading “Community-Based Volunteer Paralegal” before 06 March, 2024.
