Associate RSD Officer

Volunteering Legal

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.

Multi Country Office (MCO) Panama covers nine countries and territories in Central America and the Southern Caribbean, with field offices/units in six of these countries (Aruba, Belize, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname). Of the Southern Caribbean countries covered by MCO Panama, there is a different legal and protection context for refugees in each country:

Aruba, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago have ratified or acceded to both the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Although Trinidad and Tobago has a national refugee policy, it has not yet been fully implemented, nor does it have any domestic refugee legislation. Guyana and Curacao are not parties to either to the 1951 Convention nor its 1967 Protocol, and have no policies relating to refugees or asylum-seekers. The lack of refugee legislation or policies results in significant protection gaps for refugees in the Southern Caribbean. In the absence of domestic asylum adjudication systems in majority of the Southern Caribbean countries, the office implements the strategic use of Refugee Status Determination (RSD) under UNHCR’s mandate for a diverse population comprised of over 30 countries of origin, with Venezuelans comprising the highest number of asylum-seekers in the Southern Caribbean.

Although there are generally no restrictions on refugees’ freedom of movement within the various Caribbean countries, many refugees are required to report periodically to the immigration authorities, have limited access to work or education rights, and have no path to permanent residency, thus precluding them from a durable solution. At the same time, several countries in the Caribbean use detention as a migration management strategy, and there are examples of refugees detained under threat of deportation or refouled to their country of origin. Therefore, the prospects for local integration are limited, where refugees cannot effectively exercise their rights.

Caribbean small island states, given their limited resources and absorption capacity, welcome resettlement efforts as a demonstration of responsibility-sharing. Within this context, UNHCR uses resettlement strategically in the Caribbean to respond to refugees with the most urgent needs and to support efforts to create more favorable asylum procedures and local integration prospects.

The Associate RSD Officer is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. Under the direct 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 research related to the claim, as required, and drafting RSD assessments, including for complex cases.

Under the direct supervision of the Associate Protection 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. • Contribute to the development and enhancement of regional and global RSD standards and policies.

Response and Advice: • Review RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to RSD staff (Note: RSD UN Volunteers are not authorized to endorse and co-sign RSD decisions). • Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines. • 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 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 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, 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 decision-making.

Operational support: • Provide operational support to UNHCR operations under MCO and partners on all protection related issues; • Provide legal advice and guidance on protection issues to internal and external interlocutors; • Monitor, and assist with the intervention in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents • Provide support to operations under MCO on resettlement and other durable solutions.

Promotion and Capacity Building: • Assess training needs of UNHCR staff engaged in RSD and related activities and provide on-going training and coaching on legal and procedural RSD issues. • Support the development and implementation of RSD training initiatives for Government authorities and legal partners.

Human resources: • Assist in evaluating and projecting RSD staffing needs using the RSD Staffing Bench-marks. • Support UNHCR staff engaged in RSD and related activities and exercise effective over-sight.

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 with 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.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• The incumbent processes 4 first instance RSD cases or 6 second instance RSD cases per week (RSD Interview and RSD Assessment completed). These output targets are indicative only. Actual output, and related targets, depend upon a range of factors (including the experience, knowledge and skills of RSD staff; the complexity of RSD cases; and RSD case +management strategies in place for specific RSD caseloads). The RSD Unit in DIP recommends that the number of RSD interviews assigned correspond to the number of RSD assessments finalized, to maximize the quality and efficiency of procedures while minimizing potential for staff burnout). • 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. • 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-) governmental counter-parts, 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 participated in and capacities developed.

Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented.

Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.

Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multicultural, multiethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender.

Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups.

Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary.

Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and selfreliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.

the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law. • 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. • The ability to work effectively under stress and in crisis situations. • Office Package (excellent knowledge of Word, good knowledge of Excel and Power Point) and Internet browsing.

Desirable qualifications and competencies:

• Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures is highly desirable. • 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.

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

Panama City is classified as an A duty station (family) and has good infrastructure (health, housing, banking, transportation, telecommunications, and recreational facilities) and good supply of goods and services, with no particular health hazards. In terms of security Panama is relatively safe compared to other cities throughout Latin America and it is rated as security level 2 (low). The city is a communication hub, and it is possible to fly to all countries of the region with direct flights and it offers good option for travelling in general.

The UNHCR Multi-Country Office is located in the Canal Zone, in a green area outside the city centre, called ‘Ciudad del Saber’ where most of the other UN agencies are also located, as well as international schools, NGOs and research centres.

The cost of living is relatively high for the region (reflected in the post adjustment) especially for housing and health, but it is easy to find accommodation on the private market, including in the area of the office in houses or in the city centre towers in modern apartments. Most of the food is imported except for sea products and some fruits and vegetables. There is a wide range of international schools, several of them offering IB curriculum including some in the office area.

In terms of recreational activities Panama being a hub for the purchasing of goods for neighboring countries, the city offers a lot of malls, and doing shopping and going to malls is a common weekend activity. Cultural offer is limited but there is a good offer of restaurants and a dynamic nightlife. Beaches on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts are reachable within one hour by car or by boat directly from the city, and there are some options for hiking too. There is also a relatively good range of sports activities.

As other fast-growing cities, in Panama the traffic is heavy at peak hours and considered an issue for people living in Panama City. The climate is hot and humid with a rainy season lasting 8 months a year. For the everyday life it is recommended to have Spanish knowledge as English is not widely spoken in the shops and services.

Panama provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment to make life comfortable and affordable.

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Added 9 days ago - Updated 7 hours ago - Source: unv.org