Programme Officer - Rohingya Crisis

LAW’s ground-breaking Rohingya Crisis programme seeks to ensure meaningful Rohingya participation in the ongoing international justice processes seeking accountability for their persecution in Myanmar, including engagement with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (The Gambia v. Myanmar); the ongoing investigation by the Officer of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM). Additionally, LAW undertakes innovative strategic litigation on behalf of more than 300 Rohingya clients and ensures Rohingya voices are prioritized throughout its advocacy. 

A key aspect of the programme is LAW’s network of over 70 Rohingya Survivor Advocates, who are given ongoing training to provide legal information to the community about international justice mechanisms related to the Rohingya Crisis and provide peer-support to individuals participating in international justice process and along with support in accessing services, especially to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. In addition to empowering Rohingya women and girls, LAW works closely with Rohingya male and hijra survivors of sexual and gender-based violence to ensure their experiences and needs are mainstreamed in the ongoing international justice and accountability processes.   

LAW is looking for a qualified, dedicated, and passionate candidate with excellent inter-personal skills and experience in case management, client support, programme implementation at non-profits, along with the required legal knowledge and contextual background. 

Where? The position will be based in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Frequent travel to the camp and field office will be required.  

Duration? This position is funded for 12 months on a full-time basis with possibility to be extended subject to funding. 

 Salary: Competitive rates of salary apply.  

The Programme Officer will work closely with the Programme Team, overseeing the Survivor Advocates’ trainings and the community awareness sessions, grass-roots advocacy and ensuring that M&E tools are being used to record. The post holder will perform duties in accordance with the responsibilities outlined below:  

 Programmatic:   

• Be the first point-of-contact for survivors seeking information and support.   
• Support Survivor Advocates and their community by providing guidance and collecting community input to ensure effective implementation of programme activities in line with donor requirements and LAW policies.   
• Support with capacity building awareness sessions and delivering training and workshops.   
• Support and assist on the programme’s outreach activities in collaboration with the Programme Manager, Legal Advisors and Programme Coordinator.   
• Coordinate and facilitate the community awareness sessions that aim to disseminate timely and effective legal information on a range of social and justice issues.   
• Support with the preparation of training materials, guidance notes and resources for Survivor Advocates and deliver these trainings.   
• Monitor and review the work of Survivor Advocates and partners; propose recommendations on how to improve coordination and information delivery.   
• Support in organising external workshops that deliver trainings to Survivor Advocates.   
• Work closely with translators to successfully design learning products for Survivor Advocates. Provide translation support if needed.   
• Prepare and disseminate training material and resources.  

  Monitoring and Evaluation:   

• Support the implementation of the monitoring tool kit and log frames on all project activities, in collaboration with the management.   
• Document programme activities pertaining to grass-roots level advocacy and dissemination of legal information, in line with indicators.   
• Compile and analyse indicators, and regular security and protection updates for monthly reporting.   

• Present regular evaluations and learnings from the programme. Integrate programme learnings within LAW’s community-focussed activities.   
• Provide accurate briefings to the programme team on individuals seeking assistance for further interventions.   
• Store data in line with LAW’s data protection, confidentiality, and safeguarding policies.   
• Compile and analyse global indicators for monthly reporting.   
• Ensure SharePoint is updated on tool kits and resources.   

  Advocacy and Communications: 

• Work on grassroots advocacy initiatives with the Programme Manager, Legal Advisors and Programme Coordinator.    
• Establish networks with local and international NGO’s and participate in coordination mechanisms at required level. 
• Promote the profile and visibility of the programme and represent LAW on national and other platforms, when required. 
• Any other duties as specified by the Programme Manager. 

• Legal right to work in Bangladesh; 
• Bachelor’s degree in human rights, law, refugee studies, International Relations or a related field;   
• Demonstrated 3 years of relevant experience in a similar role within an I/NGO.  
• Track record of working with vulnerable individuals is essential, and experience in handling sexual and gender-based violence casework is preferred;   
• Experience of implementing log frames, monitoring and evaluation tools;    
• Ability and skills to establish positive relationships with various stakeholders and to work closely with local partners and community members;     

• Demonstrated experience working across insecure or conflict-affected and fragile environments and demonstrated understanding of protection challenges within the region;   
• Excellent communication skills, including fluency in English and Rohingya/ Chittagonian dialect; 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint, and strong technical literacy.   

 Desired Criteria: 

• Knowledge or experience of working with survivors of sexual and gender-based violence;    
• Experience of supporting capacity building and delivering training;    
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Rohingya crisis and/or Myanmar and the South-East Asia context;   
• Ability to develop strong interpersonal relationships at all levels through excellent negotiation and communication skills;   
• Experience in legal terms and conditions, legal knowledge, drafting, advocacy, and public speaking.    

If you are an exceptional individual who is passionate to make a difference, we would like to hear from you. Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining how your previous experience and skills match this role (neither exceeding 2 pages of A4) to: recruitment@legalactionworldwide.org. The heading of the application should read ‘Programme Officer Rohingya Crisis Programme’.  The deadline for applications is 31 December 2023.  

 At LAW we are strengthened by the diversity of our colleagues reflecting the people and communities that we represent and support. Our team includes many nationalities with diverse professional backgrounds, skills and knowledge. This enables us to deliver and understand the cultural and political contexts on the ground and to tailor our support effectively and appropriately. Women lawyers with experience representing at-risk clients are particularly encouraged to apply. 

To learn more about LAW please visit our website: www.legalactionworldwide.org.