ThaiNGO

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Representation in Thailand

Vacancy Announcement No. 41/2015   

Internal/External Circulation

Availability of the Position      01 January 2016

The RSD Associate is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. S/he is responsible for conducting RSD interviews to determine eligibility for refugee status and drafting RSD assessments. S/he is responsible for supporting all activities related to the processing of refugee claims in the Operation.  The RSD Associate provides counseling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's RSD procedures, their rights and obligations, including towards the host authorities, and the status of the processing of their claims.  In discharging these responsibilities, the RSD Associate liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff.  The RSD Associate is responsible for conducting COI and other research related to RSD and maintaining the Operation's local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards.  Under the supervision of more senior RSD Officers, s/he may also review RSD assessments of less experienced members of the RSD team, and may assist in developing and implementing RSD training and other measures to enhance the quality and efficiency of RSD decision-making. The RSD Associate assists in compiling and analyzing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation, and in drafting related correspondence and reports.  The RSD Associate may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies.

Functional Statement

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)

- UNHCR’s RSD procedures are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies, including policies related to age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming (AGDM). 

- Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to the RSD procedures.

- Fraud in the RSD process is identified and appropriately addressed.

- Performs other duties as required

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

- Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD.

- Assist in the development of the RSD strategy of the operation and in the annual planning exercise.

- Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines.

- Provide counselling to, and respond to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees, including in the context of the notification of negative RSD decisions.  

- Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases.

- Assist in preventing and identifying fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR staff, partners and persons of concern.  

- Systematically apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective in the performance of assigned functions. 

- Conduct research on country of origin information (COI) and other issues related to RSD and maintain the Operation's local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards accessible to RSD staff in the operation.

- Assist in monitoring RSD trends and in compiling and analysing RSD statistics related to RSD case processing.

- Assist in developing and maintaining processes to ensure that persons of concern, Government authorities and partners have accurate information on the RSD procedures, including UNHCR standards, policies and practice.

- Assist in initiatives to advocate with and support Government authorities and legal partners to establish and strengthen fair and efficient RSD procedures and RSD decision-making.

- Review RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to less experienced RSD staff, under the supervision of more senior RSD Officers.

- Draft correspondence and reports relating to the RSD activities of the Operation.

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

- Refer individual cases to other functional units in the Operation and/or external partners for appropriate follow-up, in accordance with established criteria.

- Counsel individual asylum-seekers on the reasons for negative RSD decisions, in accordance with the RSD SOPs.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Thai nationality is preferable.

- Completion of Secondary School and advanced training/certification in social work or a related field; preferably a University Degree in Law, political science, international relations or another related field.

- Minimum 6 years of relevant professional job experience, preferably with at least 1 year in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law.

- Strong research and analytical skills.

- Excellent oral and written communication skills.

- Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD.

- Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.

- Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees.

- Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.

- Completion of UNHCR's RSD Learning Programme, COI Learning Programme, or Protection Learning Programme.

Please submit your Motivation Letter, P.11 and Curriculum Vitae indicating the vacancy announcement number and position title to: THABAHR@unhcr.org

Applications will not be acknowledged.  Only the successful candidate will be notified of the outcome of the selection process. 

P.11 form can be down loaded from: http://unhcr.or.th/sites/default/files/p11.doc