IRAP Lebanon Staff Attorney
International Refugee Assistance Project
Legal
Beirut, Lebanon
Posted on Sep 15, 2025
The Lebanon staff attorney maintains a caseload directly representing refugees and advocates on their behalf with the United Nations, U.S. and foreign governments, and other relevant agencies. The staff attorney may represent refugees and displaced people in the process of family reunification to France. The staff attorney also liaises with IRAP NGO partners and civil society actors in Lebanon.
The position reports to the Lebanon Supervising Attorney.
Responsibilities
- Directly represent refugees and displaced people in the process of resettlement and relocation by drafting referrals and other legal submissions as appropriate to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other relevant agencies.
- Directly represent asylum seekers in the process of refugee status determination with UNHCR.
- Possibly directly represent clients in the process of family reunification to France.
- Provide advice and counseling to refugees and displaced people in their resettlement and relocation interviews, as well as representation before other agencies and Embassies as needed.
- Review intake and screening reports completed by IRAP volunteers, interns, and staff as part of IRAP’s refugee case screening process, and conduct intake interviews.
- Conduct trainings for NGO partners and information sessions for refugees on refugee law.
- Regularly attend working group meetings with colleagues from other organizations engaged in refugee protection, legal aid, and durable solutions.
- Train and supervise summer intern(s).
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Education
- BA in Law required.
- Master's in law from a university in France preferred.
- Experience
- Prior nonprofit/NGO experience is a plus.
- A minimum of one year, up to three years of demonstrated experience providing legal assistance to refugees and/or asylum-seekers with UNHCR or resettlement countries is preferable.
- Preferably has demonstrated experience providing legal assistance to refugees and/or asylum-seekers in France, particularly in family reunification or humanitarian visa procedures.
- Prior experience interviewing and counseling clients in a legal setting.
- Preferably has sound knowledge of the French (and possibly European) legislative framework and jurisprudence regarding refugees and/or human rights.
- Values, Competencies, and Skills
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work comfortably with attorneys and partner organizations with diverse cultural and social backgrounds.
- Must be highly organized and motivated, able to multitask, manage a high-volume workload, and have excellent time management skills.
- Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced and high-pressure work environment.
- Sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations.
- Fluency with the Microsoft Suite and Google Suite.
- Interest in refugee/humanitarian issues.
- Excellent written and spoken English required.
- Excellent spoken Arabic required.
- Excellent spoken and written French preferred.
Job-related Requirements
- Must reside and be eligible to work in Lebanon.
- Must be eligible to work for an NGO- not a member of a conflicting bar.
- The position is based in Beirut city.
- This position requires office availability based on the assessment of the Lebanon Senior Country Director.
Benefits
- Fully paid family health insurance.
- Extensive PTO (20 or more vacation days & 20 and more public/ org-wide holidays).
- Comprehensive leave time for sickness.
- Disability and parenting (5 months of parental leave).
- Reimbursement for work-from-home equipment.
- Generous opportunities for professional development.
IRAP’s benefits vary across office locations, and IRAP seeks to offer equitable and generous benefits to all employees. The benefits include:
To Apply:
Please submit the following documents:
1- Updated resume,
2- Cover Letter customised to IRAP and the position,
3- List of three references,
4- A legal writing sample in English written without the assistance of AI.
IRAP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, IRAP will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please refer to your request in the cover letter.
IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.