Under the direct supervision of the designated Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL) Manager, the Community Service Center (CSC) Team Leader is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality, ethically compliant legal assistance and protection services aligned with IRC and donor standards. The CSC Team Leader will oversee the daily activities of lawyers and protection staff at the CSC, including planning field visits, supporting case intake, facilitating referrals, managing cases, providing legal counseling services, and disseminating critical information on legal services, entitlements, registration, and documentation procedures. The role requires ensuring coordination across all program aspects in the field, maintaining confidentiality, and upholding ethical standards throughout implementation.

Major Responsibilities:

Leadership and Staff Supervision

Manage all daily legal activities in Baghdad and act as the primary focal point for IRC protection and legal programming at the CSC, focusing on refugees and asylum seekers. Establish weekly and monthly work plans for program activities with guidance from PRoL management. Handle requests for information and interventions from Senior Management and external organizations. Support the professional development of direct reporting staff. Foster open and professional relations with team members, promoting team spirit and providing oversight to ensure successful staff performance. Ensure timely submission of monthly timesheets, probation reviews, and annual performance evaluations. Plan, coordinate, and oversee staff vacation schedules. Address staff performance issues in collaboration with PRoL management and Human Resources, adhering to the National Staff Employment Policies.

Project Management

Provide technical guidance and capacity building to lawyers and protections staff, ensuring adherence to IRC ethical guidelines, Legal Assistance SOPs, Detention SOPs, donor guidelines and Iraqi law while maintaining client confidentiality and financial compliance. Monitor staff performance in implementing work plans and improving the quality of technical activities. Oversee quality legal and protection service delivery, including humanitarian assistance and access to basic entitlements and services. Ensure accurate case management and secure storage of legal and protection files, conducting quality control and implementing corrective measures as needed. Conduct spot checks and audits on case files to ensure compliance with documentation standards. Promote respectful and dignified treatment of clients, ensuring clear communication about legal options and availability for follow-ups. Participate in evidence-based advocacy initiatives with local authorities, justice actors, and other organizations to enable service access. Support the filing of complaints before administrative bodies or courts as necessary. Ensure timely reporting of legal activities, including case counts and court representations, to PRoL management. Lead the consolidation of legal data and case management in coordination with the IMS team, ensuring data confidentiality and accuracy. Draft technical monthly reports as directed by PRoL management. Provide regular updates to PRoL management on progress and strategic recommendations for legal programming.

Coordination

Coordinate with relevant stakeholders (e.g., local authorities, justice actors, NGOs) in Baghdad to ensure effective legal and protection activity implementation. Represent IRC at relevant coordination meetings in Baghdad as requested by PRoL management.

Accountability to Affected Population

Raise community awareness on service access, staff behavior expectations, and feedback mechanisms. Collect and record client feedback during project activities. Report client needs, preferences, and feedback to supervisors.

Other Duties

Proactively monitor the safety and security of CSC staff, reporting concerns promptly and liaising with external parties as advised. Perform any other program-related duties as assigned by PRoL management.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Legal Empowerment Manager Position Technically Supervised by: PRoL Senior Management Position Directly Supervises: Lawyers, protection staff based in CSC Internal Contacts: Field Coordinator (Baghdad-Anbar), External Engagement and Liaison Officer (Baghdad), PRoL Management, HAS Manager, WPE Coordinator, WPE Manager External Contacts: Ministry of Interior, Corrections Directorate, MOMD, Courts, MOLSA, other relevant ministries