Legal Assistant

Internal and external candidates will be considered for this vacancy. For the purposes of this vacancy, internal candidates are defined as staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded or ungraded contract, including Junior Professional Officers (JPOs), staff on Special Leave Without Pay (SLWOP), and staff members on secondment/loan released by the Organization, unless otherwise specified in their contract. Staff members holding a regular, fixed-term or short-term graded contract will not retain their contract type if appointed to an ungraded position.   Context

The project supports the protection and assistance of unaccompanied migrant children (UMC) and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection across Greece. Building on the longstanding cooperation between IOM and the Hellenic Ministry of Migration and Asylum, the action ensures the continuation and strengthening of key national protection mechanisms. Through this project, IOM and its partners plan to support in identifying and assisting UMC in precarious conditions or homelessness, provide interpretation services for the NERM Hotline, offer child protection services in Safe Areas and Safe Zones and ensure dignified accommodation and support at the Open Center "One Step Forward", designed for vulnerable single women and single mothers with their children.

Under the overall supervision of National Cluster Coordinator (UMC) and the direct supervision of the Program Assistant, the successful candidate will be responsible for providing daily care to UMC in the assigned accommodation facility. This position is based in the facility located in Piraeus, Athens.                      

1. Provide legal counseling on an individual and group level on the rights, obligations, and procedures concerning the legal status of UMC, considering their needs.
2. Organize, in cooperation with the facility coordinator and the guardian, of individual and group information sessions on the rights of UMC and on issues related to their legal status, considering their needs (e.g. asylum procedures, family reunification procedures, relocation schemes, etc.).
3. Provide support during the process of examining an application for international protection at first and second instance, examining a family reunification application, applying for a residence permit under the Immigration Code and any other administrative or judicial procedure. 
4. Refer, in cooperation with the guardian, to programs for the provision of free legal support and representation of cases of minors, for which representation in an administrative, criminal or civil court is required or the pension pleadings and pleadings.
5. Maintain filling of reports with actions undertaken for UMCs and ensure deadlines are met for their legal and administrative procedures. 
6. Maintain close communication and collaboration with authorities in relation to UMCs’ wellbeing. 
7. Undertake official travel as required to support legal procedures for UMCs. 
8. Perform such other duties that may be assigned. 

Education

• University degree in Law from an accredited academic institution 
• One year of relevant work experience would be an advantage
• Professional license and/or certificate of registration to the concerned professional association

Accredited Universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database.   Experience

• Previous experience in a similar role preferred;
• Previous experience at an IOM Emergency Accommodation Facility will be considered an asset;
• Familiar with direct assistance to migrants and/or refugees preferred;
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural environment an advantage.

Skills

• Computer literacy in standard software applications (MS Office, etc) will be considered an asset;
• Willingness to work in day/night shifts, during holidays and weekends;
• Valid driver’s license with at least five years driving experience an advantage;
• Flexibility and capacity in conflict resolution;
• Good communication skills, personal commitment and efficiency.

Languages

For this position, fluency in Greek and certified working knowledge of English or French is required (oral and written).

IOM’s official languages are English, French and Spanish. Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.   Required Competencies   IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Co