About Fenix
Fenix’s vision is that every person who has been forced to flee has real and dignified access to the right to asylum. Our mission consists of three interconnected Programs, aimed at positively impacting the cases of people who seek safety, other actors providing support to asylum seekers, and the Greek and European asylum systems at large. All our work is underpinned by our holistic philosophy, providing tools for empowerment with an integrated, trauma-informed and person-centred approach that considers the general well-being, needs, skills and hopes of individuals in their search for safety.
About the role
Every individual has the right to live in safety and freedom, and to seek protection elsewhere if they face persecution and violence in their country of origin. In the EU, this fundamental right has become increasingly inaccessible due to years of policies and practices designed to erode fair, effective, and humane asylum systems. These measures have created substantial obstacles for those seeking recognition as refugees and a safe place to rebuild their lives. In Greece, a major challenge for people with asylum claims is the lack of access to information about the asylum process. This makes it difficult to navigate procedures, while creating stress and anxiety. Moreover, without a clear understanding of their rights, individuals struggle to effectively advocate for themselves, leaving them more at risk of rights violations and rejections of their claims. In addressing this, we offer essential information and practical guidance about the asylum procedure in support of the legal empowerment of people who seek safety.
Working under the supervision of our Head of Program (HoP) the Senior Legal Officer will hold the following responsibilities, relating to three of our projects:
Legal Empowerment and Protection Case Management Project
- Deliver daily group legal empowerment sessions and drop-in consultations for people who seek asylum..
- Oversee the smooth daily operations of the Legal Empowerment project, including logistics, scheduling, and coordination with external stakeholders.
- Monitor the project’s impact and reach, proactively identifying areas for improvement and providing recommendations to the Head of Program.
- Support the onboarding process for Legal Officer interns.
- Provide first-line supervision and guidance to Legal Officers.
- Based on context, need, and capacity, conduct one-on-one interview preparation sessions for individuals facing additional barriers in the asylum process.
- Work closely with the Protection Team to ensure a holistic approach to client support.
- Ensure our spaces in camp are safe, welcoming, properly supplied and welcoming.
- Ensure our visuals for sessions are up to date.
Human Rights Monitoring and Advocacy Project
- Represent Fenix in selected external advocacy meetings.
- Monitor and provide contextual updates to enhance the team’s knowledge base.
- Actively contribute to brainstorming sessions and Human Rights Monitoring to identify emerging advocacy opportunities.
- Assist in drafting and supporting pre-approved advocacy efforts, including reports, statements, and policy briefs.
Capacity Bridging Project
- Conduct training sessions about the asylum procedure for other NGOs upon request.
Additional Responsibilities
- Support general operational needs, such as donor visits, logistics, and space maintenance.
- Undertake certain responsibilities of the Head of Program during their absence.
- Ensure compliance with and contribute to all Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) processes related to the project.
- Lead the recruitment and onboarding of interpreters and cultural mediators for all Fenix projects.
Fenix prides itself for continuously adapting to the changing context and needs, and tasks may change during the time of the agreement.
What we are looking for
Essential qualifications and skills:
- A licensed lawyer with experience in EU asylum law.
- An independent and adaptable person who thrives in a rapidly changing environment.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in diverse and cross-cultural settings.
- Experience in working with people who seek asylum and / or providing legal assistance to people affected by trauma.
- Ability to work under pressure, manage and prioritise multiple tasks while maintaining attention to detail.
- Fluency in spoken and written English.
- A commitment to our core values of empowerment, professionalism, and a holistic, trauma informed approach to legal aid.
- A team player who is willing to take on additional responsibilities that come with working in a grassroots organization.
- A valid driving license and the ability to drive.
- The right to reside and work in the EU - unfortunately, we are unable to sponsor visa applications.
Preferred qualifications - what would make you an even better fit:
- Proficiency in an additional relevant language, such as French, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Somali, or Greek, is highly desirable.
- Previous experience in advocacy.
- Experience in working with interpreters and cultural mediators.
- A proactive mindset, with the ability to take initiative in assigned tasks.
- Experience in supervising teams.
- Background in asylum case management.
- Previous experience in settings of displacement (refugee camps, border areas, etc).
We are committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, safe and respected. For this role, we strongly encourage people with a refugee background to apply.
What we offer
- This role includes support towards housing and living expenses.
- The opportunity to be part of a dynamic, dedicated and diverse team committed to promoting refugee rights.
- Leadership growth opportunities, with the ability to take on meaningful responsibilities.
- Supportive supervision and mentorship, with opportunities to learn from experienced professionals.
- Training and development opportunities.
- Access to mental health resources to support your well-being.
- Use of a shared car after working hours for personal needs.
Safeguarding Commitment
Fenix is committed to conducting our work with a high level of professionalism and ethical standards. We are committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. Protecting the communities we work with and our staff from any deliberate or accidental harm is our highest priority. Fenix expects all staff, including volunteers, to share this commitment by following our Code of Conduct and Policies and attending our internal training.
We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. For this reason, this post is subject to a range of vetting checks including satisfactory references and a criminal records disclosure. Staff might also be requested to complete a self declaration on PSEA.
6+ months, full-time
6 months, full-time
Start date: Immediately
Start date: May 01, 2025
Please click on 'Apply' below, select ‘Senior Legal Officer’ and follow the steps. Please note that loading the form may take some time. We will review applications after the application deadline and get back to all candidates within 2 weeks.
In line with our safeguarding commitment, all offers are conditional on positive reference and background checks.
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