Associate Refugee Status Determination Officer, Individual Contractor – International UNOPS ICA 253 views0 applications

Individual Contractor – International UNOPS ICA,
UNHCR Nyamata Field Office
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering an Associate Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Officer within the Nyamata Field-Office in our Operation in Rwanda.
The Associate Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Officer will function under the direct supervision of RSD Officer in Nyamata Field Office. S/he provides legal, operational and strategic support on mandate or national RSD at Nyamata Field Office.
The Associate RSD Officer advocates with and supports Government authorities and legal partners in further developing their capacities in line with the GCR and other key UNHCR planning considerations. The incumbent works closely with RSD staff as well as staff responsible for registration, resettlement, and training activities. S/he also liaises with relevant focal points in DIP, in particular within the RSD and PNS Sections and other HQ Divisions as required.
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.

• Title: Associate Refugee Status Determination Officer (RSD) under UNOPS
• Number of Positions: Two (2) positions
• Duty Station: Nyamata, Field Office
• Duration: Initially up to 31st December 2021
• Contract Type: Individual Contractor – International UNOPS ICA 1
• Closing date: 12 March 2021
• Start date: 1st April 2021

Organizational context
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees was established on 14 December 1950 by the United Nations General Assembly. Given the deteriorating security situation in and around the Libyan capital of Tripoli, UNHCR is responding to the emergency protection needs of refugees, asylum-seekers, children and youth-at-risk, and others of concern in Libya (urban-based and detention environments) through the establishment of the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM).The ETM has been established under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Rwandan government and the African Union (AU) in September 2019. Under the terms of the MOU, the individuals concerned are transferred on a voluntary basis, from Libya to Rwanda for emergency case processing for durable solutions .UNHCR supports the Rwandan authorities in biometric joint registration of the evacuated persons and in undertaking Refugee Status Determination (RSD) under its mandate in accordance with applicable standards. A durable solution for their situation is pursued, including return to the country of origin for those who voluntarily choose to do so, or third country resettlement to States that are willing to offer admission. This assignment is critical in ensuring this is achieved.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR’s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

The position
The Associate RSD Officer provides advice and guidance on legal and procedural matters related to RSD whether in the context of mandate RSD and/or national asylum/RSD systems (as applicable), is responsible for conducting RSD (where required), reviewing and providing advice on individual cases in line with requirements under the RSD Procedural Standards. The incumbent will contribute to the development of an RSD strategy and, where required, methodologies to promote the effectiveness of RSD as a protection tool and implementing broader organizational objectives and priorities, in compliance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies. Whether in the context of national or mandate RSD, the incumbent provides advice and support to staff engaged in RSD and related activities, monitors trends of RSD decision-making, and conducts training and other capacity-development/strengthening activities to promote consistency in RSD procedures and decision-making. S/he contributes to developing and enhancing regional and global RSD standards and policies, as necessary.

Duties and responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the RSD Officer and overall supervision by the Head of Field Office, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
• In the context of COVID-19, conduct first instance interviews and complete at least 4 assessments equivalent to a minimum of 16 RSD assessments per month, mainly for Eritreans, Sudanese, Somali and Ethiopians applicants (and occasionally other nationalities) in accordance with UNHCR guidelines and procedural standards. The targets will be revised upwards as the situation evolves.
• Conduct ten reviews per full working week for RSD cases as may be directed by the head of the RSD unit.
• Provide legal/procedural advice and support on RSD adjudication issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
• Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments relevant to mandate RSD, the protection environment, including developments in relation to national asylum/RSD systems, as applicable.
• Support the quality review of RSD Assessments in line with UNHCR policies/guidelines related to mandate RSD and endorse RSD decisions as required.
• Provide ongoing coaching as well as training on the inclusion criteria; principles/procedures related to exclusion; cancellation/revocation; international humanitarian law; human rights law; interviewing techniques and credibility assessment/establishing the facts; and legal drafting.
• Provide appropriate counselling to persons of concern in relation o to the ETM process as necessary including in the context of the notification o of decisions on individual cases.
• Provide training to other UNHCR units on the refugee criteria and related issues as needed.
• Performing any other duties as may be requested.

Essential minimum qualifications and professional experience required
• Undergraduate degree in Law, International law, Political Science or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in refugee status determination, including at least 1 year in an international capacity. Previous work experience with UNHCR (in the field) would be an asset.
• Proficiency in both oral and written English
• Good research, analytical and drafting skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
• Ability to work in stressful situations.
• Experience in conducting interviews with UAM.
• Experience in conducting interviews with survivors of violence and torture.
• Experience undertaking exclusion assessment.
• Ability to work with proGres v4 (or rapidly learn it) and other computer and technological equipment.
* Experience in providing legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government SD procedures. Experience in supervising a team. Completion of the RSD Learning Programme and other UNHCR Learning Programmes relevant to RSD. Training and coaching experience. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.

Location
The successful candidate will be based in Nyamata Field Office/Rwanda.

Conditions
Initially the contract for this position is up to 31 December 2021. It is a full-time role with working hours – Monday to Thursday from 08:00 to 17:30, including one-hour lunch break, normally from 13:00 to 14:00 Fridays from 08:00 to 14:00; Saturdays and Sundays are week-end Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.