ThaiNGO

Position:     Caseworker
Project:    Urban Refugee Project (URP)
Location:    Bangkok, Thailand     
Reports to:    Project Director
Starting date:    Immediately 
Contract duration:       1 year with possible extension depending upon funding availability

 
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organization was founded in November 1980 and has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term wellbeing of refugees and displaced persons, while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. JRS offers opportunities to a wide variety of staff, local and international, while maintaining a realistic and localized scheme of salary/stipend, insurance, etc.

In Thailand, JRS manage programs spread throughout urban and rural areas, serving refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced persons. JRS Thailand has field offices in Bangkok and Mae Hong Son. The main areas of work include education, psycho-social services, livelihoods, emergency assistance and advocacy. For more information about JRS in Asia Pacific and Thailand, visit: http://www.jrsap.org 

 
Project Description:

Although half of the world’s refugees live in urban areas such as Bangkok, the vast majority of assistance is focused on refugees living in camps. Guided by Pedro Arrupe’s vision for JRS – to go where no one else is working and serve the most forgotten – JRS Thailand is dedicated to serving, accompanying and advocating for urban refugees and asylum seekers. Established in 1990, the Urban Refugee Program in Bangkok supports urban refugees and asylum seekers in Bangkok through emergency and casework assistance, psychosocial counseling, and community capacity building. In the last year, the number of people arriving in Bangkok and claiming asylum have increased dramatically. There are about 5,100 urban refugees, asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Bangkok (as of October 2019), of which 17% are asylum seekers and 83% are refugees. In addition, there are a large number of people awaiting registration at UNHCR. The majority of asylum seekers and refugees are from South East Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia),South Asia (Pakistan), the Middle East (Iran, Iraq), and Africa (Somali).

Role:

The Urban Refugee Project Caseworker (URP Caseworker) serves as frontline staff, responding to the needs and problems of urban refugees, asylum seekers and unregistered refugees seeking asylum in Metropolitan Bangkok. The Caseworker conducts interviews/needs assessments and home visit under holistic approach to identify vulnerable individuals in need of support services (including financial assistance, casework support and psychosocial counseling). The Caseworker serves a critical role in the Urban Refugee Project as it adapts to meet the growing need of urban refugees in Bangkok. The Caseworker works to ensure that those approaching JRS for assistance are provided with timely and appropriate support. The Caseworker works closely with the Project Director as well as the JRS urban team members including: Caseworkers, the Psychosocial Counselor, and Interpreter staff. 

Responsibilities:

Case Management

• To conduct intake interviews and needs assessments. Based on specific criteria, identify and screen individual and family cases for the provision of intensive casework, financial assistance and referral services.
• To conduct intensive casework.
• To conduct home visits and accompany clients in negotiations with landlords to access accommodation.
• To provide information and counseling to asylum seekers on living in Thailand.
• To prepare individual case and home visit reports using the JRS – URP intake/assessment forms and maintain updated case files and progress notes. 
• To refer emergency crisis situations to the JRS Psychosocial Counselor and/or Project Director for appropriate intervention.
• In consultation with the Project Director, develop strategies, formulate action plans, and identify interventions to address individual or family case needs and problems.
• To work together with the Project Director in terms of case management and related aspects.
• To share information, knowledge and experience in case management with other caseworkers.

Managing the work of JRS at the field level

• To safeguard the vision, identity, and unity of JRS at the project level.
• To know and understand well JRS policies and to implement them at the project level.
• To implement relevant aspects of the project according to the approved proposal.
• To analyze the needs of the refugees and to suggest new initiatives to the Project Director.

 
Strengthening Partnerships and Networking

• To build relationships with asylum seekers, refugee and local host communities to increase trust and understanding.
• To maintain strong working relationships with UNHCR, Thai authorities, INGO, CBOs and church groups working on urban refugee issues.

 
Communication/Reporting

• To communicate regularly with the Project Director, reporting on all major issues and developments in the field.
• To submit monthly activity reports to the Project Director.
• To develop/complete project proposals and reports (6-month and annual) according to JRS format, as well as write other project/situation reports as required, together with the project team members.
• To participate in regular team meetings.
• To maintain a supportive and professional relationship with clients, avoiding emotional involvement and focusing on approach of empowerment.
• To carry out casework in accordance with the priorities set out in the project proposal and organizational policies.
• To abide by JRS Personnel Policy and Standards for staff.
• To maintain positive communication with team members.
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• To assist the Project Director as requested.

 
Qualifications & Experience:

• Fluent in Thai and English.
• Minimum Bachelor degree in social work, social science, or related professional filed.
• Experience with NGOs at least 1 year and if any experiences in asylum seeker, refugee-related issue is an advantage.
• Experience in social work, case assessment, or case management is desirable.
• Decision making skill, service-minded, patient, and self-motivated. 
• Positive attitude towards vulnerable person (refugees and asylum seekers).
• Good planning and organizational skills with the ability to think and act strategically in the design of programs, and conceptualize complex issues.
• Able to analyze case information and design case assessment plans.
• Understanding of and empathy with asylum seeker, refugee problems. 
• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural with limited resources and challenging environments.
• Computer literacy, being able to use Word, Excel, Access and Power Point programs and related program for social work.
• Good data collection skills and is able to use JRS’ data system.
• Strong interpersonal skills with good communication, managerial and diplomatic skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

This position offers a salary package with Medical and Accident group insurance, Life insurance, and other benefits. Interested candidates must apply by sending cover letter and CV (including 3 references) with front picture, and address how you satisfy the criteria described above.

Applications are be sent to this email address: jrsthailandco@gmail.com Early applications are encouraged, before 15 December 2022.
Only shortlist candidates will be contacted.