Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) Coordinator at Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC)

Position:                                          Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) Coordinator

Grade:                                             7

Reports to:                                     Multi Core Competency Project Manager

Supervision of:                               ICLA Officers and ICLA Technical Assistants

Duty station:                                  Kampala with frequent travel

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a non-governmental, humanitarian organisation with 75 years of experience in helping to create a safer and more dignified life for people affected by displacement. NRC Uganda advocates for the rights of displaced populations and offers assistance through its core competencies (CCs): Protection from Violence, Education, Livelihoods and Economic Inclusion, Information Counselling and Legal Assistance, Shelter & Settlement development and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene.

All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity and accountability. These attitudes and believes shall guide our actions and relationships.

1. Role and responsibilities

The purpose of the Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) Coordinator position is to implement delegated ICLA program portfolio and plan, manage, oversee and monitor the ICLA activities In Kampala urban response. She/he will be responsible for the formulation, design, planning, implementing, and ensuring quality implementation of all ICLA activities. The following is a brief description of the role:

Generic responsibilities

1. Line management of ICLA project field staff
2. Adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures and awareness of NRC global and regional strategies
3. Contribute to ICLA strategy development, project proposals, and provide input on needs and gaps, considering where appropriate the role of cash-based interventions and market-based programmes
4. Manage and implement delegated portfolio of ICLA projects (activities, budget, and project documentation) as delegated from the Multi CC PM in line with proposals, strategies, and donor requirements, and ensure high technical quality
5. Provide regular progress reports to the Multi CC PM
6. Promote and share ideas for improvement and necessary changes in the activities
7. Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need of protection, explore and asses new and better ways to assist
8. Ensure capacity building of project staff and transfer key skills
9. Liaise and collaborate with relevant local authorities and other key stakeholders
10. Promote the rights of refugees, IDPs, host communities in line with the advocacy strategy

 Specific responsibilities 

• Oversee implementation of ICLA project activities on legal and civil documentation, housing, land and property rights and employment laws and procedures in Kampala urban, targeting both refugees and host communities. Provide support to Southwest Uganda when required
• Provide day-to-day support to ICLA program teams at field level in developing clear work plans and targets and following up on implementation and engage in regular performance monitoring of projects
• Support the development of quality programming, identifying key areas for further follow up, devising strategies and supporting implementation to improve and monitor quality in NRC’s ICLA approaches
• Conduct ICLA specific technical assessments and research, present recommendations and adapt program implementation to needs and context
• Actively participate in relevant coordination forums, working groups, and county coordination forums when requested
• Develop training modules and provide specific technical learning or/and training for project staff including refugee community staff and support capacity building on ICLA thematic areas amongst partners
• Conduct work planning, mid-term and end-term performance review for staff under the supervision of the ICLA Coordinator
• Work alongside the M&E and grants team to ensure that data is regularly collected and analyzed to feed into the production of timely and quality donors and internal NRC reports.
• Develop and implement approaches that promote safe programming and protection mainstreaming and coordinate with NRC’s Protection specialist and partners including on protection case referrals
• Promote NRC’s Child Safeguarding Policy and ensure awareness of the policy amongst NRC ICLA staff and partners including reporting and investigation procedures
• Contribute to creating an enabling environment for the implementation of cash-based interventions, working with support teams in the institutionalization of cash (capacity building, guidance and SOP development).
• Ensure that programme activities are documented in line with NRC procedures for Securing Supporting Documentation (SSD), including Reconciliation of Deliverables (RoD).
• Ensure all activities are implemented in accordance with NRC Safe and Inclusive Programming (SIP) guidelines, policies, and report any breaches/concerns in a confidential manner, through NRC reporting channels
• Promote and secure a safe working environment for reporting concerns/breaches and ensure that all cases reported are processed in a confidential and sensitive manner

Critical interfaces

• Project planning: CC Specialists, CC Coordinators, CC Team Leaders
• Area operations: CC Coordinators, Support Coordinators (HR, Finance, Logistics), HSS Officer
• Staff capacity building:  CC Specialists, HR Coordinator
• Implementation: CC Coordinators, CC Specialists, Support Coordinators (HR, Finance, Logistics), M&E Coordinator

Scale and scope of position

1. Competencies

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following two categories:

1. Professional competencies 

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• Minimum five years’ experience from working with relevant programming in a humanitarian/recovery context, with at least 2 years in managing teams
• Documented strong experience managing protection projects in an international, national, humanitarian, or human rights organization
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
• Fluency in English, both written and verbal

Context related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Strong knowledge of the humanitarian context in Uganda in general, and the refugee response in Kampala and Southwest Uganda
• Knowledge of local languages desirable
• Documented skills in Programme/Project Management (formulation, implementation, programme cycles and reporting) and resource planning
• Experience from community-based approaches, cash-based interventions, community mobilization and engagement
• Experience in establishing relationships and coordinating with government and traditional leaders
• Proven skills and experience in successfully managing field teams, and able to train and manage teams for effective quality implementation (to listen, advise, support, solve conflicts, motivate, etc.)
• Experience from working with partnerships
• Solid computer skills, including MS Word, Outlook and Excel required
• Bachelor’s Degree in law, political science, social science, or other relevant discipline
• Familiarity with international refugee law and human rights law.  Knowledge of SPHERE standards and other global humanitarian and protection standards
• Ability to resolve individual and group conflicts

2. Behavioural competencies

• Handling insecure environments
• Managing resources to optimize results
• Empowering and building trust
• Managing performance and development
• Planning and delivering results

1. Performance Management

• The Job Description
• The individual Work- and Professional Development Plan
• The Competency Framework

Application Procedure

• Application is online only, Qualified Uganda Nationals only.
• submit application, detailed curriculum vitae, and academic documents as a single PDF document by 11th May 2023
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• NRC does not at any stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind. Further, NRC has not retained any agent to conduct recruitments on behalf of the organization.
• NRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified Female Candidates are encouraged to Apply