ThaiNGO

About Asylum Access

We are human rights advocates who support forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency and power. 

Our unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally and go to school. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that honors refugees’ freedom, dignity and autonomy, and empowers them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organizations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between us and our clients. On the international stage, we work with established institutions to shift the global system to better uphold and promote refugees’ human rights. We can help catalyze and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, we focus exclusively on rights and governance.

Department Description

The Legal Team primarily provides legal services to refugees, ensuring that they have access to justice, get necessary support during the status determination process and have  information on Long Term Legal Solutions (LTLS). The Legal Team is overseen by the Protection Program Coordinator and includes the RSD and Protection Team Leads, RSD and Protection Officers, RSD and Protection Volunteer Legal Advocates (VLAs), Screening and Intake Officers, Interpreter and Paralegal Coordinator, Interpreters and Paralegals.

Position Description

Under the guidance of the Protection Program Coordinator and the RSD Team Lead, the RSD Officer manages cases through all stages of the RSD process before UNHCR (registration, first instance, appeal, reopening and other UNHCR procedures). The RSD Officer also provides support on LTLS cases, including on resettlement (RST) and complementary pathways. 

The RSD Officer will also provide technical support to the Royal Thai Government (RTG) and legal representation to clients when the RTG’s national screening mechanism (NSM) is in place in the near future. 

Key Responsibilities

All responsibilities, particularly case management, will be undertaken under the guidance and support of the Protection Program Coordinator and RSD Team Lead.

Case Management (75%):

• Conduct intake and screening interviews for, and prioritize, clients seeking RSD and at times LTLS representation and advice;
• Undertake research on country of origin information (COI) to assess credibility, support individual claims and for general research purposes;
• Conduct RSD and LTLS group workshops for clients;
• Provide RSD and LTLS individualized legal advice and assistance to clients, including on a walk-in basis, as on-call legal advisor;
• Provide full legal representation and short services for RSD. This includes (but is not limited to):
  • Preparing client and witness statements, including reviewing and providing feedback on client-drafted statements;
  • Drafting legal briefs and closing statements;
  • Obtaining documents to support client cases such as witness statements, medical reports, etc.;
  • Preparing clients for and accompanying clients to interviews; and
  • Following-up with UNHCR on the status of client cases.
• Identify cases appropriate for special consideration by UNHCR and draft inquiries to be submitted through AAT’s weekly correspondence with UNHCR;
• Assess clients’ extra-legal needs, and work closely with AAT teams and external organizations, to ensure these needs are met;
• Undertake comprehensive case management practices, including maintaining database records and keeping detailed notes of all case work activities;
• Assist in the above case-management duties for the NSM, once it is rolled out;
• Maintain good working knowledge of guidelines, processes and procedures of RSD, LTLS and NSM;
• Maintain good working knowledge of current political and social situation in clients’ countries of origin (COO);
• Assist in developing and implementing team policies and procedures;
• Assist in developing and maintaining data collection and trends analysis on RSD and LTLS services;
• Attend and contribute to team meetings and other trainings and orientations as required;
• Adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, and AAT Code of Conduct, policies, and manuals.

VLAs Support (10%):

• Contribute to VLAs’ supervision by monitoring workload and providing advice and expertise in case management;
• Review VLAs’ written submissions;
• Conduct on-going training, including job shadowing;

Relationship Building and Networking (5%):

• Support the Protection Program Coordinator and the RSD Team Lead in advocacy before UNHCR regarding RSD and RST processes;
• Build and maintain relationships with staff and operational partners to ensure smooth running of operations; and
• Build and maintain strong relationships with refugee communities in Bangkok.

Advocacy Support (5%):

• Support Executive Director and Policy Team in policy advocacy on refugee screening mechanisms, international human rights mechanisms and other relevant international policy on refugees; and
• Any other work as assigned by supervisor.

Interpreter and Paralegal Support (5%):

• Liaise with the Interpreter and Paralegal Coordinator regarding the management of interpreters and paralegals;
• Assist the Interpreter Coordinator in planning for and delivering regular trainings for interpreters and paralegals; and
• Support paralegals in planning for and delivering legal clinics to refugee communities in Bangkok.

Essential Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer in any jurisdiction; OR a bachelor’s degree in law or another relevant subject; OR more than 2 years experience working in refugee matters, especially RSD or RST;
• Significant working experience or detailed understanding of the refugee context and framework in Thailand;
• Strong client interview, analysis, advocacy and written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to take initiative and ownership of cases and projects, manage multiple deadlines, and work effectively with a high attention to detail;
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Gmail, and Google Drive and related tools (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, etc.); and
• Ability to fluently speak and write in English.

Salary and Benefits

The RSD Officer will receive a monthly payment of THB 35,000 per month, health insurance and vacation and other leave days.

Hours and Location of Work

The RSD Officer is a full-time, one-year contract position based in our office in Bangkok, Thailand.  Candidates should be aware that some flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to take calls and meetings with international colleagues outside of standard office hours.

How to Apply:

Please click here https://asylumaccessco.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=99&source=aWQ9MjI%3D

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value the expertise of those who have experienced displacement, and encourage people with such lived experience to apply.

For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org.