Assistant Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

Eligibility criteria

Minimum age: 25 years old. Nationals of the country of assignment are not eligible, except the assignments in Headquarters duty stations.

Description of task

Under the direct supervision of the RSD Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Strategic Direction and Coordination:

• 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.

Response and Advice:

• Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines.
• Review RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to RSD staff.[1]
• Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases.
• Provide counselling to asylum seekers and refugees.
• Systematically apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective in the performance of assigned functions.
• Assist in monitoring RSD trends and in compiling and analysing RSD statistics related to RSD case processing to identify and respond to developments or issues impacting on the efficiency or quality of RSD decision-making, and to propose remedial measures.

Advocacy, Information Management and Research:

• Conduct research on country of origin information (COI) and legal issues related to RSD and assist in maintaining a local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards accessible to RSD staff in the operation.
• Ensure that persons of concern, Government authorities and legal partners have accurate information on the RSD procedures, including UNHCR standards, policy and practice.
• 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.
• Assist in evaluating and projecting RSD staffing needs using the RSD Staffing Benchmark.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

[1] Note: RSD UN Volunteers are not authorized to endorse and co-sign RSD decisions.

Qualifications/Requirements

Required degree level:

Bachelor degree or equivalent

Education - Additional Comments:

Type of Degree: Law, political science, international relations or another related field

Required experience:

24 Months

Experience remark:

Years of work experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law.

• Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively under stress and in crisis situations.
• Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD is highly desirable.
• Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures.
• 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.

Language skills:

• English(Mandatory), Level - Fluent
• Spanish(Mandatory), Level - Working Knowledge

Area of expertise:

Protection of refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs, Human rights

Area of expertise details:

Relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law.

Driving license:

No

Competencies values:

Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Client Orientation, Commitment and Motivation, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Integrity, Knowledge Sharing, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, Technological Awareness, Working in Teams

Application procedure:

You can only apply if you have created your profile at https://vmam.unv.org/candidate/signup

Watch this video for the specific steps you must follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT5uJ_FolWU

If you are already registered in UNV's Talent Pool, make sure your profile is up to date before applying.

Application deadline: 21-Oct-2020 at 23:59hrs, Germany time