Legal Assistant – Unaccompanied Minors Shelter, Patra

About the role

IOM operates five Accommodation Centers for Unaccompanied Minors (shelters) in Greece, offering shelter, basic needs, legal counselling and other services. Within the project funded by the Greece Programme (Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027), the successful candidate supports the implementation of project activities by overseeing services for unaccompanied migrant children in the assigned shelter. Internal and external candidates are considered.

Key responsibilities

• Provide legal advice in individual and group sessions on the rights, obligations and procedures concerning the legal status of accommodated minors
• Organise information sessions on the rights of minors, asylum procedures, family reunification and relocation programmes, in cooperation with the coordinator and the legal guardian
• Offer legal assistance during requests for international protection, family reunification, residence permits under the Immigration Code and other administrative or judicial procedures
• Refer cases needing court appearance to free legal support programmes and help draft indictments and memoranda
• Support applications for residence and work permits and other legal documents such as travel documents
• Keep records of actions and meet deadlines, update forms, databases and trackers, and contribute to internal and external reports
• Research and counsel on legal and contractual issues, share legal information with shelter staff and liaise with competent government authorities
• Travel as required and follow data confidentiality protocols

Required profile

• University degree in Law; a Master's in Law, International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights or a related field is an advantage
• License to practice and/or certificate of registration in the relevant professional association
• At least one year of relevant professional experience, preferably in the migrant and refugees context; experience in a multicultural environment preferred
• Fluency in Greek and English or French (B1/B2, oral and written)
• Willingness to work in day shifts; valid driver's license with at least five years' experience is an advantage

Required skills

• MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Awareness of refugee and immigration law, national law, international conventions and EU regulations
• Knowledge of asylum administrative procedures before national authorities
• Research, writing and analytical skills, and strong communication and negotiation skills