ThaiNGO

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks

Protection and Paralegal Program Officer in Bangkok, Thailand

About Asylum Access

Asylum Access is a leading refugee human rights organization headquartered in Oakland, CA with substantial operations in three countries plus partnerships in additional countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Asylum Access is the only global organization working to make human rights a reality for refugees in first countries of refuge. Asylum Access envisions a world where refugees are seen as people with rights, not just people with needs. Asylum Access believes that by empowering refugees to assert their human rights, we can create effective, lasting solutions for refugees around the world.

Through Asylum Access Global Services, we partner with national and international NGOs in Africa, Asia (including the Middle East) and Latin America to help them replicate relevant aspects of Asylum Access’s model.  Through Asylum Access Global Services, we aim to create a world where refugees can participate in national economies, communities and civic spaces wherever they find themselves, building new lives in safe homes.

Position Description

The Protection and Paralegal Program Officer will assist the Legal Team 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. 

Key Responsibilities

Legal Protection Services

• Maintain good working knowledge of Thai legal framework and Government policy relevant to refugees and asylum seekers, e.g. Thai Immigration Act, Criminal Law and other legislations.
• Screen and prioritize clients for legal protection services
• Provide protection services to clients with protection needs
• Identify cases appropriate for legal litigation
• Coordinate research projects on specific issues as and when required.
• Organise pro bono lawyers to attend Thai court proceedings for protection clients
• Visit refugees and asylum seekers in Thai jails or IDC to take instructions of their protection needs;
• Support RSD team for representing clients on RSD case when it is necessary;
• 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;
• Adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, AAT Code of Conduct, policies, and manuals;

Paralegal management and support

• Manage the Paralegal Program under the supervision of the Legal Solutions Manager
• Train community paralegals from different asylum seeker communities;
• Continue the development the community paralegal training program in conjunction with the Legal Solutions Manager;
• Provide ongoing support and supervision to the community paralegals in conducting legal clinics in the community, with the support of the Legal Team;
• Monitor and evaluate the paralegal program as required by supervisor and the project donor;

VLA Support

• Contribute to supervision of VLAs for protection on the LSM team in their work by providing advice and expertise in legal protection case management and paralegal management.  Support LSM in reviewing VLA written submissions and workload, and conducting on-going training.

Relationship and Networking

• Build and maintain relationships with staff of operational partners, networks and coalitions  to ensure the smooth running of the project;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with asylum seeker and refugee communities in Bangkok;
• Represent AAT in legal working group of networks and coalitions

Advocacy Support

• Support the Legal Solutions Manager in advocacy with Thai authorities regarding legal protection for asylum seekers and refugees;
• Support Executive Director in policy advocacy with focuses on refugee screening mechanisms, alternative to detention and international human rights mechanisms and other relevant international policy on refugees

Internal Team Support

• Assist the Legal Solutions Manager in development and implementation of team policy and procedure and participate in strategic planning as required.
• Assist other members of the Legal Team regarding issues related to the urban refugee population;
• Any other work as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications and Experiences

• Bachelor’s degree in human rights law or another relevant subject. 
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills
• Strong initiative and ability to take ownership of projects, manage multiple deadlines, and work effectively with a high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work with people in vulnerable situations, such as trauma survivors.
• Fluent English with a high level of writing and drafting legal documents;
• A positive and out-going attitude with the ability to work well in a diverse and multi- cultural office.
• Intermediate working knowledge of Gmail, Google Drive, and related tools (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, etc.)
• Thai national.
• A minimum of 2 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;

Hours and Location of Work

The Protection and Paralegal Officer is a full-time position, working 40 hours per week, and is based in our offices in Bangkok, Thailand. Candidates should be aware that some flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to take out of hours calls and meetings with international colleagues. 

Compensation

Position comes with a competitive nonprofit salary, and a robust benefits package.

Application Instructions to Candidates

Send your resume, cover letter and a concise writing sample to apply.aat@asylumaccess.org with the subject line “Protection and Paralegal Officer - AAT”, by September 1^st, 2019 In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred start date, expected salary and how you learned about the position. 

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org