Associate RSD Officer

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UNHCR - UN High Commissioner for Refugees

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Application deadline 2 years ago: Friday 21 Jan 2022 at 00:00 UTC

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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.

The UN Refugee Agency in Niger acting within its mandate of protecting persons in need of international protection, and in partnership with the Government of Niger has established the Evacuation Transit Mechanism (ETM). The mechanism aims at evacuating persons of con-cern with acute protection needs from Libya to Niger, where they undergo RSD and are di-rected to appropriate durable solutions. Most of these evacuees come from Eritrea, Sudan and Somalia and are victims of severe human rights violations during their journey.

The Associate RSD Officer is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) ETM team. Under the direct supervision of the Associate RSD Officer and the overall supervision of the RSD Officer (RSD Supervisor), s/he is responsible for conducting RSD interviews to determine eligibility for refugee status, undertaking country of origin (COI) and other re-search related to the claim, as required, and drafting RSD assessments, including for complex cases.

The Associate RSD Officer provides counselling to asylum-seekers and refugees on UN-HCR's RSD procedures and on their status, rights and obligations in the country of asylum. The Associate RSD Officer may review or peer-review RSD assessments of members of the RSD team and provide legal and procedural guidance and coaching, as required. The Associ-ate RSD Officer may assist in developing and implementing RSD training, including for Gov-ernment authorities and other partners, as well as other measures to enhance the quality and efficiency of RSD decision-making, and provide technical advice to strengthen national asy-lum procedures.

The Associate RSD Officer assists in compiling and analysing information related to the RSD activities of the operation, and participates in decisions regarding appropriate case manage-ment strategies.

The International 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.
  • When requested by the RSD supervisor, assist in the development of the RSD strategy of the operation and in the annual planning exercise.
  • Contribute to the development and enhancement of regional and global RSD standards and policies Response and Advice:

  • Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines. When required, review or peer-review RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to RSD staff .

  • Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases.
  • Provide counselling to asylum seekers and refugees.
  • Assist in preventing and identifying fraud in RSD.
  • When requested by the supervisor, assist in designing, implementing and revising, as required, operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of the RSD operation in accordance with applicable standards and policies.
  • Systematically apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective in the perfor-mance of assigned functions.
  • When requested by the supervisor, 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 accu-rate 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 proce-dures, including UNHCR standards, policy 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 deci-sion-making.

Promotion and Capacity Building:

  • Assess training needs of UNHCR staff engaged in RSD and related activities and pro-vide on-going training and coaching on legal and procedural RSD issues.
  • Support the development and implementation of RSD training initiatives for Govern-ment authorities and legal partners.
  • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publica-tions/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.- Assist with the UNV Buddy Pro-gramme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers.
  • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage rele-vant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
  1. Results/Expected Outputs:

Results/Expected Outputs - The incumbent processes 5 first instance RSD cases per week (RSD Interview and RSD Assessment completed); targets may be adjusted depending on the complexity of casese . The incumbent may be required to work on Appeal cases. - UNHCR’s RSD procedures are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies, including policies related to age, gender, and diversity main-streaming (AGDM). - Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to the RSD procedures. - Persons of concern are treated with dignity, respect and professionalism. - The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-) govern-mental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs); - Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment. - A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities partic-ipated in and capacities developed.

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Integrity Planning and Organizing Professionalism Working in Teams

Key Qualifications and Skills:

• Minimum 1 year of experience working directly with procedures and principles related to RSD. 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. • Age, Gender, and Diversity (AGD) awareness and demonstrated ability to perform effectively in a multi-cultural environment. • Demonstrated awareness of UNHCR mandate, the importance of preventing fraud and ways to mitigate risks. • The ability to work effectively under stress and in emergency situations. Desirable qualifications and competencies:

• Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures is highly desira-ble. • 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, Protection Learning Programme. • Experience in supervising and in providing training or coaching, guidance or advice to staff.

The assignment will take place in the nation’s capital, Niamey, a family duty station. Niamey is a liveable city. The spontaneous reception and hospitality of the Nigeriens is among the characteristic features of this West African country. The living conditions in Nia-mey are good, as well as the access to health services. The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory and vaccination cards should be presented at the en-trance. Vaccinations against Meningococcal Meningitis and Hepatitis A and B are also rec-ommended. The basic drugs are available in pharmacies but it is recommended to bring spe-cific prescription drugs. There are few banks in Niamey but they do not have USD or foreign currency accounts. The current security level is 3 (moderate) in Niamey. The selected UN Volunteer will be expected to follow and complete all UN/UNV mandatory trainings and briefings.

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unv.org