National Legal Officer, Baghdad

Context/Reporting line:

Since January 2019, IOM Iraq has been working in partnership with UN Secretary-General Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict (OSRSG on CRSV) to support the Government of Iraq (GoI), the Kurdistan Regional Government, civil society organizations, and survivors to engage in the process of developing a comprehensive framework and efficient mechanisms for the provision of reparations to survivors of CRSV.

The dire humanitarian circumstances in which CRSV survivors live and their expectations for care, support and justice require urgent institutional attention and engagement. Reparations can contribute to rebuilding survivors’ lives, as well as their families and extended communities, and they are proven to be an effective measure in tackling stigmatization and harmful attitudes towards the survivors.

Under the overall supervision of the Head, Community Stabilization Unit, and the direct supervision of the International Reparations Officer, the incumbent will provide technical legal assistance in support of IOM’s efforts to support the development and strengthening of Iraq’s frameworks and mechanisms for the provision of reparations to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and compensation to victims of terrorism.

Specifically, s/he will:

Core Functions / Responsibilities

1. Support the International Reparations Officer to provide strategic orientation to IOM’s work on transitional justice and reparations in Iraq, and ensure that IOM’s engagement is responsive to new developments.
2. Help interpret and analyze legal frameworks applicable to the right to reparations for survivors of conflictrelated sexual violence (CRSV) and the right to compensation for victims of terrorism.
3. Provide technical assistance to support processes of legislative and policy development, reform, and/or harmonization.
4. Support analysis of roles and responsibilities in relation to Iraq’s reparations and compensation programmes.
5. Develop awareness raising tools, training materials, and manuals for survivors, civil society partners, and government officials.
6. Provide operational and technical support to training courses, workshops, study tours, and other events/activities to strengthen the capacity of survivors, civil society partners, and government counterparts, including lawyers, social workers and other officials from institutions mandated with receiving and processing claims from survivors.
7. Ensure gender and protection mainstreaming within all project activities.
8. Undertake duty travel as required.
9. Perform any of duties as may be assigned.