CONTEXT AND DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Senior RSD Assistant is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. S/he is responsible for supporting all activities related to the processing of refugee claims in the Operation.
The Senior RSD Assistant provides counselling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR’s RSD procedures, their rights and obligations, including towards the host authorities, and the status of the processing of their claims. In discharging these responsibilities, the Senior RSD Assistant liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff.
The Senior RSD Assistant is responsible for conducting COI and other research related to RSD and maintaining the Operation’s local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards. S/he assists in drafting RSD Assessments and compiling and analysing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation, and in drafting related correspondence and reports. Senior RSD Assistant may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies.
THE INCUMBENT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOLLOWING ASSIGNED DUTIES:
- 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.
- Fraud in the RSD process is identified and appropriately addressed.
- Conduct first instance refugee status determination interviews (RSD) as per target based on the modalities of processing per week in accordance with established norms and standards, and preparing accurate interview transcripts for each case.
- Consistent with existing jurisprudence and agency policy, prepare reasoned recommendations as per the set target based on modalities of processing per week on whether asylum seekers should be recognized as refugees under UNHCR’s mandate.
- Manage individual cases within reasonable time-lines as determined by the RSD Officer.
- Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD.
- Provide counselling to, and respond to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees, including in the context of the notification of negative RSD decisions.
- Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases.
- Systematically apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective in the performance of assigned functions.
- Conduct research on country of origin information (COI) and other issues related to RSD and maintain the Operation’s local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards accessible to RSD staff in the operation.
- Prepare recommendations with regards to legal and social obstacles faced by persons of concern identified during the RSD interview to RSD Team Leader.
- Through the supervisor, refer individual cases to other functional units in the Operation and/or external partners for appropriate follow-up, in accordance with established criteria
- Counsel individual asylum-seekers on the reasons for negative RSD decisions, in accordance with the RSD SOPs
- Perform other relevant duties or tasks as assigned by the RSD Team Leader.
REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- Completion of Secondary School and advanced training/certification in social work or a related field.
- Minimum 5 years of relevant professional job experience.
- Fluency in English and working knowledge of another relevant UN language or local language.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES.
- Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD.
- Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
- 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.
How to apply:
How to Apply:
- Interested candidates are invited to submit a motivation letter and a completed Personal History Form (P11) prior to the closing date of the vacancy notice through UNHCR Egypt’s recruitment portal: http://hr.unhcregypt.org/ Personal History Form (P11) are available in the recruitment portal and also at www.unhcr.org/recruit/p11new.doc
- Applications missing any of the above elements, duly completed, will unfortunately not be considered.
- This position may be subject to a written test. Only short–listed candidates will be contacted.
- Candidates must be Egyptian citizens or hold a valid local work permit at the time of application, No relocation fees apply.
- UNHCR follows a strict non-smoking environment policy.
More Information
- Job City Cairo
