National HLP Legal Officer

Organizational Context

UN-Habitat Syria operates within a region devastated by conflict, marked by extensive destruction of housing and property rights violations. Following a political transition, the focus is on addressing grievances, supporting recovery, and reconstruction. The program aims to strengthen land administration, tenure security, and urban development, contributing to voluntary return, social cohesion, and sustainable development.

Job Purpose

The National HLP Legal Officer will enhance tenure security in Syria by providing essential legal support to Housing, Land, and Property (HLP) rightsholders and claimants. This role involves contributing technical legal expertise to the HLP unit's strategy, fundraising, project design, implementation, and quality assurance. The officer will also offer legal support to UN-Habitat's coordination efforts in various forums, including the HLP Technical Working Group, thereby safeguarding HLP rights and ensuring legal certainty within the context of recovery and development.

Responsibilities

The HLP Legal Officer will provide strategic legal advice for the HLP Unit's strategy and workplans, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat mandates. This includes integrating HLP legal considerations into project lifecycles and reviewing technical outputs for compliance. The role involves co-leading the HLP Technical Working Group and leading legal engagement in the Transitional Justice Technical Working Group, providing expertise on HLP, transitional justice, and urban recovery. Engagement with state counterparts on legislative matters is also key. The officer will oversee the analysis of HLP legislative frameworks, produce legal knowledge products, and strengthen rights-based urban advocacy. Additionally, the role includes designing and delivering HLP legal training, fostering programmatic synergies with other UN-Habitat units, and supporting project coordination through donor engagement and proposal development.

Work Experience

A minimum of 5 years of experience in legal frameworks and HLP rights within humanitarian, early recovery, or development contexts is required. Experience with UN agencies or international NGOs on HLP rights is essential. Experience in capacity building, advocacy, legal support, and research related to HLP is also necessary. Desired experience includes knowledge of the Syrian legal framework concerning HLP rights and land administration, as well as familiarity with international HLP frameworks.

Skills

Analytical Skills, Communication, Dispute Resolution, Donor Engagement, Human Rights, Leadership, Legal Advice, Legal Compliance, Legal Research

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