ThaiNGO

Opening: Protection Officer

Asylum Access is an innovative non-profit founded to make human rights for refugees a reality in Africa, Asia and Latin America.  We help refugees assert their fundamental rights using four integrated tools; individualized legal counsel and/ or representation, community legal empowerment, policy advocacy and strategic litigation.  With offices in Ecuador, Panama, Thailand, Tanzania, Mexico and Malaysia, we provide direct legal assistance to over 10,000 refugees per year.

Asylum Access Thailand is looking to recruit a Protection Officer to assist the Legal Team (Protection Unit) to provide protection counselling and legal services to asylum seekers and refugees seeking international protection under UNHCR’s mandate, as well as supervise community paralegals to serve the needs of refugee communities.

Duration: 1 year contract (with 1 year renewal), beginning 1 September 2017.

Key responsibilities 

• Training of community paralegals from different asylum seeker communities;

• Continue the development of the community paralegal training program in conjunction with the Protection Team Leader;

• Provide ongoing support and supervision to the community paralegals in conducting legal clinics in the community, with the support of the Protection Team;

• Monitor and evaluate the paralegal program as required by the project donor;

• Provide legal advice to clients on UNHCR Procedure and RSD (Group/ Individual);

• Provide full legal representation where appropriate at first instance, appeal, and on protection cases. Functions related to representation of RSD cases include (but are not limited to) the following:
• Preparation of written statements
• Assisting in drafting of legal arguments/submissions
• Obtaining documents to support client cases such as witness statement, medical reports, etc.
• Preparation of clients for RSD interviews at UNHCR
• Representing and visiting clients in Immigration Detention Centre (IDC)

• Follow-up on the status of client cases with the UNHCR;

• To provide advice to refuges on matters relating to Thai immigration and criminal law, and other legislation that may affect the urban refugee population;

• To assess extra-legal client needs and refer them to the Community Outreach Team or other external organizations as appropriate;

• Undertake comprehensive case management practices, including maintaining database records and keeping detailed notes of all case work activities;

• Maintain good working knowledge of UNHCR guidelines, processes and procedures;

• Adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, AAT Code of Conduct, policies, and manuals;

• Assist other members of the Team regarding issues related to the urban refugee population;

• Build and maintain strong relationships with asylum seeker and refugee communities in Bangkok;

• Attend and contribute to weekly Team meetings and other staff meetings;

• Maintain strong financial records and procedures as per the AAT Finance policy, and ensure proper financial documentation of all activities;

• Work as assigned by supervisor.

         Qualifications:

• University degree in law.

• Thai national.

• A minimum of 3 years experience working in human rights or refugee related field. Previous experience working with paralegals or community protection mechanisms would be an advantage.

• Experience in working with people from a wide variety of cultures and with interpreters;

• Experience working in projects financed by international donors and fulfilling project requirements;

• Demonstrated ability to work with people in vulnerable situations, such as trauma survivors and victims of SGBV and victims of crime.

• Fluent English with a high level of written English and experience drafting legal documents;

• A positive, pro-active and out-going attitude with the ability to work well in a diverse and multi-cultural office.

         Other information:

• The position is based in Bangkok and is full time, 5 days per week. Supervision work will take place outside of the office, in the community.

• Health insurance will be provided.

• Applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel if they currently reside outside of Bangkok.

• Salary will be negotiable depending on experience, but in the range of 30,000-35,000 Thai baht per month.

         To apply:

Candidates interested in the Protection Officer position should submit a CV and cover letter and writing sample (in English) by 20 August 2017.

Please send all application materials to Khun Dulyapon Somsri, Operations Coordinator, at apply.aat@asylumaccess.org.

Closing Date               :      19 April 2026 (11:59 PM, Bangkok Time)