Background:

The NRC Somalia Country Programme is part of NRC East Africa and Yemen mission. Operations in the region began in Somaliland in 2004, and eventually expanded to Puntland, and South Central Somalia, providing protection and humanitarian assistance to refugees, internally displaced persons and returnees, with strategic programming priorities focusing on Shelter, WASH, Education, Food Security & Livelihood, Protection, and Information, Counselling and legal assistance (ICLA).

Scope of Service

The Norwegian Refugee Council in Somalia is inviting interested registered/licensed law firms and lawyers with a minimum of five (5) years legal experience in Somalia to submit written proposals to provide Legal Services to the organization. As the contracted lawyer, the selected law firm or lawyer will be expected to provide a wide range of legal services.

Specific Terms of Reference

Labour Issues:

• Review & advice on revisions on the content of policies affecting national employees.
• Review NRC terms and conditions of employment for national staff and advise/recommend necessary changes.
• Recommend & advice approaches to handling disciplinary issues and other legal matters related to employees.
• Regularly advise/update NRC on applicable laws and regulations in the country.
• Update NRC particularly on the new policies passed/adopted in the country.
• Review and prepare, on request, any other legal documents/records related to NRC activities.
• Help NRC in translating key policies into Somali language.

New Legislations:

• Regularly advise/update NRC on new legislation, law reforms, amendments, pending and passed bills by the Parliament of the country that may directly have an impact on NRC and its operations in Somalia.
• Share detailed information with NRC on the impact of the above points whenever possible.
• Provide detailed explanations regarding the impact of any new laws or circulars on NRC.

Review Contracts:

• Whenever required, conduct a review of contracts, these may include and are not limited to staff contracts, procurement of items and services e.g. consultancy, construction contracts.
• Provide legal advice including written legal opinions where so required on their legality and validity in accordance with the laws of the country.
• Provide legal counsel and negotiation services at the request and in the interest of NRC.
• Regularly update and share accurate advice that will enable NRC avoid and mitigate litigation risks arising from such contracts.
• Regularly update NRC on labor and property laws that may have a direct or indirect impact on the organizations operations in Somalia or impact on international Non-Governmental Organizations in general.
• Provide legal and negotiation services whenever required by NRC.
• Represent NRC in Court litigation, arbitration tribunals (out of court settlements), and other legal forums.

Duration for the Contract

The duration will be for a performance based renewable period of one (1) year from the effective date of the contract.

Requirements:

Reputable law firms and individual lawyers interested in this appointment must provide the following information and documents;

• Firm’s profile including CVs of lawyers, or application & CV (for individual lawyers)
• At least two references from other clients
• Descriptions of experience in similar assignments undertaken
• Technical proposals with expected legal fees for each activity

Relevant experience should include but not limited to the following;

• Degree in law, with min 5yrs experience practicing law inside Somalia
• Knowledge & experience with Employment & Labour Law and Taxation acts
• Knowledge & experience with regulatory issues/matters
• Knowledge of Commercial Law, Constitutional & Administrative Law, Sharia Law
• Excellent negotiation and communications skills
• Computer skills