All NRC employees are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s core values: dedication, innovation, inclusivity, and accountability. These attitudes and beliefs shall guide our actions and relationships.

What we are looking for

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is looking for an experienced, dynamic, and highly strategic individual to take up the exciting new role of Information Counselling Legal Assistance (ICLA) Specialist for Colombia, Ecuador and Panamá. The postholder will technically develop and lead the ICLA Core Competency (CC), and lead NRC ICLA positioning vis-à-vis relevant coordination and decision-making for a and in close coordination with the complementary Protection from Violence (PfV) CC specialist. The ICLA Specialist is responsible for strategic direction, quality assurance, identifying priority protection issues, capacity building for ICLA staff, technically guiding the specialised ICLA programme and developing ICLA strategies and plans.

What you will do

• Responsible for strategic direction, quality assurance, identifying priority protection issues, capacity building for ICLA staff, technically guiding the specialised ICLA programme and developing ICLA strategies and plans.
• Provides expertise and is responsible for strategic advice to the CMG, programme development, technical support, capacity building to country, programme management and mainstreaming Safe and Inclusive Programming (SIP) within the Core Competency.
• Responsible for mentoring, training, and building technical capacity of Protection staff.
• Develop strong working relationships with other specialists (specifically PfV Specialist), NRC field, programme and management teams and external Protection actors.
• Develop ICLA Core Competency (CC) strategy, technical guidance, and Macro LFAs that are aligned withregional and global strategies and priorities
• Contribute to fundraising, develop, and revise funding proposal, budgets, and donor reports.
  • Master graduate in Law, International Human Rights Law or similar relevant.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position.

What you will bring

• Minimum 4 years of advisory-level working experience in humanitarian protection in a humanitarian/recovery conflict context .
• A clear understanding of protection issues, legal frameworks and professional standards in humanitarian and displacement contexts
• Previous experience from working in complex and volatile contexts.
• Legal competency expertise. Experience in implementing/overseeing specialised legal service delivery, including case management.
• Experience in strategic litigation. 
• Experience on Legal Identity is an asset.
• Experience in international organisations and/or NGOs 
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile.
• Fluency in Spanish and English, both written and verbal
• Knowledge of the protection context in Colombia, Ecuador and Panamá, desirable
• Knowledge of Latin America Human Rights Conventions and Refugee laws. Knowledge of relevant legal and policy frameworks, international and domestic, with focus on International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
• Excellent analytical skills and communication skills in writing and speech.
• Experience with facilitating and leading internal organisational processes.
• Ability to coordinate tasks and work processes, and work with short deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and proactively with limited daily support and supervision.

What we offer

• Duty station: Bogotá, Colombia
• Contract: national, 12 months, extendable
• Travel: up to 40%
• Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions for international contracts
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process

• Internal candidates only: please click on the suitcase icon labelled “I am an employee” to be redirected to NRC’s internal careers site.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, taking care to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We receive many applicants for each vacant position.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email [email protected] with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. From our Country Office in Bogota – Colombia we oversee a three-country operation in Colombia, Ecuador, and Panamá, one of our largest in the world, responding to the needs of persons affected by the internal conflict in Colombia and the migration crisis across the sub-region. Today, NRC is one of the leading humanitarian organizations in Colombia, with exceptional recognition with local communities and Government entities, and is the agency of choice for some of the major institutional donors.

Our strategy for 2025 focuses on delivering immediate lifesaving assistance; building resilience of at-risk communities; and contributing to durable solutions for displaced populations. Every year we reach almost half a million people in the sectors of Education; Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA); Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Protection from Violence (PfV), Shelter; and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).

The Information Counselling Legal Assistance (ICLA) Core Competency (CC) provides services and support to people affected by the Colombia conflict, Venezuela Crisis and mix migration flows in, Colombia, Ecuador and Panamá.   The main target population are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), People in Need of International Protection  (PNIP), returnees, refugees, and host communities.

In the three mentioned countries ICLA main scope of work encompasses Refugee status, immigration and residency; Legal identity; IDP registration; Housing, land and property; Employment law & procedures; Collaborative dispute resolution and Access to essential services.

Given the geographical coverage it is expected a time dedication of 60 % to Colombia, 30 % to Ecuador and 10 % to Panamá.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Learn more about NRC