Legal National Consultant

Result of ServiceUN-Habitat will have the knowledge and tools to raise awareness of land and property rights throughout the Syrian society. Work LocationHome-based Damascus Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. The armed conflict that erupted in Syria in 2011 had devastating effects on the country with the widespread damage of housing and productive assets, mass displacement within the country and abroad and deterioration of living standards to unprecedent low levels. All these were accompanied by gross violations of human rights, housing, land and property rights (HLP) included, perpetrated by the different conflict parties. With the fallout of al-Assad regime in December 2024, despite the human rights violations reported in several parts of the country, new horizons for grievances suffered by the Syrian people to be addressed are open. Since 2017, UN-Habitat has been involved actively in supporting residents in Syria and the displaced people in enjoying their HLP rights. In this regard, UN-Habitat along with UN and INGO partners carried out a comprehensive analysis of the legal and institutional HLP ecosystem and provided legal support to people in need through awareness raising, capacity building, community-led dispute resolution and support to HLP service providers through a 2-phase Joint programme funded by the European Union. Objectives To further UN-Habitat’s mandate of addressing housing, land and property challenges in Syria through provision of legal expertise and technical support to relevant projects carried out by UN-Habitat in Syria. Duties and Responsibilities The Legal Consultant shall provide legal expertise to UN-Habitat’s response to housing, land and property challenges in Syria through active participation in relevant projects implemented in Syria. This will include: 1. Capacity Building and Training of local stakeholders (local governments, duty bearers, and national NGOs, etc.) on HLP-related legal issues to improve the Syrian local governments’ understanding of the Housing, Land and Property rights and the importance of respecting and including these rights throughout their day-to-day works and development plans is improved. The consultant is required to: o Develop training materials on Housing, Land and Property rights. o Carry out capacity building events for local authorities in a selected group of cities to be agreed on with UN-Habitat 2. Advocacy, Awareness Raising and Legal Support targeting individuals and communities affected by HLP issues, including the displaced and returnees within the ongoing projects. The consultant is required to: o Develop a dissemination plan including target stakeholders, target cities, type of events (educational workshops, community engagement activities, information dissemination, advocacy) and relevant materials. Under this activity, a workplan identifying dates and locations of the required events. o Carry out awareness raising and advocacy events (townhall meetings, focus groups, seminars, workshops, etc.) in the targeted cities. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent), in law, human rights law, or international law is required. A first level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • 1 year of working experience in legal practice with a focus on HLP issues is required for MA holders. An additional of two-year working experience in required for BA holders. • Experience working with international organizations, international/national NGOs or research centers on HLP-related projects is desired. • Specialized knowledge in Syrian laws, humanitarian principles, human rights and humanitarian laws and international norms and instruments related to HLP rights is required. • Proficiency in legal research, capacity building, advocacy and awareness raising is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency/proficiency in oral and written English as well as Arabic is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.