Protection Legal Consultant

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC), and its safety unit, has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Purpose/objective of the position:

Overall purpose of the role:  

The Legal consultant provides technical oversight to all DRC and partners’launch of legal activities and collaboration on the legal component especially in the Northwest, including legal awareness, legal counseling and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). S/he guides the strategic development of DRC’s legal aid programme in Nigeria through local partnerships. The role also provides support and/or technical guidance to all field staff and partners working on projects with one or more legal components for a few months of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Legal consultant will     

• Provide technical oversight of all legal activities within the DRC Nigeria Protection and Livelihoods programmes especially related to links to social registers.  

• Mapping all the legal services in the North West (private/traditional/others…) and suggest best ways of collaborating with them.  

• Takes the lead on strategic decisions regarding the Legal Aid Programme, in collaboration with the Country Level Protection Coordinator Manager and Area Level Protection Manager and the partners 

• Provides regular technical supervision of all partners legal staff including oversight of case documentation and give them feedbacks and trainings.    

• Provides capacity building for DRC staff and partners working on projects with a legal component, including the development of capacity building plans and training materials and how to better use referrals.    

• Develops SOPs and tools for all new legal activities carried out with local partners.   

• Develops outreach material with a legal focus, and supports on coaching and supervision delivering awareness session, as required during the consultancy   

• Ensures inputs on relevant legal matters through legal research insights in Nigeria and close collaboration with PIM Analyst Specialist and Country Level Protection Coordinator/Manager on legal analysis to complement the PAF especially for North West Nigeria although some insights for the North East might be required too
• Ensures all legal activities have relevant MEAL tools for assessing impact and quality, in collaboration with the Protection and MEAL Managers and a toolbox of legal indicators is developed to support DRC/Local Partners in the legal interventions.  
• Conducts regular field visits to ensure that all legal activities are of a high quality including HLP/Access to Justice and other forms of legal support.  
• Develops technical oversight for all partners with a legal component, including supporting on capacity assessments, trainings of trainers   
• Develops legal needs assessment tools to inform program design and strategic direction, in collaboration with the Protection and MEAL Managers.  
• Participates in relevant coordination legal meetings, as agreed with the Country Level Protection Manager.  

Subordinates: NA – technical capacity building/overview/advises of all Legal staff from local partners and of any DRC Area Level Protection Manager  

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)   

• Minimum 5 years of experience working for an INGO in the protection sector, with a focus on legal programming. Experience of implementing alternative dispute resolution would be an advantage.   

• Experience working in an advisory role would be an advantage.    

• Experience providing training on legal topics  

• Experience working with national partners, local/government authorities, and UN organizations  

• Excellent skill in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint  

Required document for this consultancy, expected to be of 4-6 months from July-August onwards includes a proposal on legal assessments to carry out when coming into a new area, a timeframe with calendars and outputs, and a tentative budget for the consultancy including all travels, insurance, accommodations etc.

Education and professional experience:

• Degree in Law; Masters would be an advantage.  

• Bar-registered Lawyer (Nigeria Bar Association)  

Languages:   

• Full professional proficiency in English and Arabic   

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)  

• Protection Staff in the TU and the field offices  

• Economic Recovery and MEAL TU  

• Partners with a legal focus or component  

Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

• Computer literacy (Word, Excel)
• Respect and a non-discriminatory attitude
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Good reporting skills
• Ability to show empathy
• Ability to work under pressure
• Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri, and any other spoken languages spoken.
• Working knowledge in English (written and spoken)

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework.
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization.
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period.
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization.
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request.

Application Process

A cover letter (1 page max) outlining motivation and suitability.

An updated CV (max 4 pages).

Subject line – The position you are applying and the location

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Any submission after 7th July 2025 will not be considered.

DRC is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.