UNIVERSITY OF HARGEISA  LEGAL CLINIC, HUMAN RIGHTS UNIT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Terms of Reference –Junior Paralegal

23/06/2022

Background

University of Hargeisa(UOH) Legal Clinic was established in 2002 with support of UNDP and it became a partner with UNHCR in December 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 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 communities in matters relating to criminal cases, civil cases, and customary law, and provides legal counseling and mediations where necessary. Legal Clinic, Human Rights unit also advocates and provides legal trainings, awareness raising to the host and refugee communities as well as Somaliland Law enforcements agencies and authorities. In addition to that, Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit provides vulnerable refugee and asylums seekers shelter assistance through Conditional cash-based intervention.

UOH Legal Clinic, Human Rights Unit Project for Free Legal Aid Services to Refugees, Asylum Seekers, Returnees, IDPs (POCs) and Host community is aimed at improving access to national justice system for persons of concern (PoCs) to UNHCR. As per Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) approach this project is also aimed at improving access to national justice for extremely vulnerable members of host communities who can’t afford to hire a lawyer.

The purpose of this position is to ensure the proper and immediate implementation of the free legal aid Project and facilitate PoCs’ access to justice.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Junior Paralegal under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator will;

1. Conduct clients Interview
2. Provide legal counseling and legal assistance
3. Mediate between parties whenever it is necessary
4. Assist lawyers for trail Preparations including drafting legal documents; gathering evidence; conducting legal research; and interviewing clients and witnesses;
5. Follow up with prosecutors and judges to set trial dates, ensure case files are transfers and any other task required to speed up for processing of cases;
6. Documenting all received cases and filing documents in court and Maintaining all other case files
7. Monitoring and intervene in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other urgent protection related issues;
8. Undertake police stations/detention centers and prisons monitoring in in Sahil, Togdheer, Sanaag and Sool regions of Somaliland to update

the human rights situations of the refugees, asylum seekers, returnees and IDPs.;

1. Represent minor cases in case of need and refer other cases for lawyers to represent in court when necessary;
2. Minimize the negative and discriminatory attitudes from local populations through advocacy
3. Sensitize refugee groups and public authorities on refugee rights through awareness
4. Contributing to the capacity building and awareness-raising activities
5. Work with community committees by providing guidance on their rights and obligations
6. Approach authorities on matters of documentation
7. provide refugees and asylum seekers with information regarding their asylum application and their refugee status,
8. Offer advice on their cases, making referrals and following up on cases. Advocate for the release of arrested refugees, asylum seekers and other PoCs at police stations, prisons and places of detention,
9. 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).
10. Prepare detailed daily, weekly and monthly reports and legal cases updates
11. Any other tasks assigned by the manager

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Position: junior Paralegal based in Berbera (Reception Centre) and frequently travel to Togdheer, Sool And Sanaag regions when there is a need.