Hardship LevelE (most hardship)
Family TypeNon Family
Family TypeNon FamilyDanger Pay
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeGS6
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 22, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionRSD Associate Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The RSD Associate 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 RSD Associate 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 RSD Associate liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff. The RSD Associate 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 may also assist in drafting RSD Assessments. The RSD Associate assists in compiling and analysing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation, and in drafting related correspondence and reports. The RSD Associate may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies. 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 UNHCRยฟs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity. Duties - 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. - 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. - Assist in preventing and identifying fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR staff, partners and persons of concern. - 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. - Assist in monitoring RSD trends and in compiling and analysing RSD statistics related to RSD case processing. - 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. - Draft correspondence and reports relating to the RSD activities of the Operation. - 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 related duties as required. Minimum Qualifications Education & Professional Work Experience Years of Experience / Degree Level For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher Field(s) of Education Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses Social work; HCR RSD Lrng Programme; HCR Cntry of Orig Inf Lrng Prg; HCR Protection Learning Prg; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Not specified. Desirable 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 working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals. Functional Skills PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees CM-Cross-cultural communication LE-Human Rights Law PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance SO-Research PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals (Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential) Language Requirements For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English. For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language. For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power. As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise. This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile As of November 2023, some 280,000 refugees and asylum seekers reside in Iraq. Most of the asylum-seekers are of Syrian nationality, while the remainder are nationals of Turkiye, Iran, Palestine, Sudan and other countries in the region and beyond.
The Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Associate is part of the RSD Unit in Iraq and will report to the Assoc RSD Officer. In Iraq, the strategic use of Mandate RSD is in place and RSD interventions are focused on nationalities/profiles where the undertaking of RSD leads to protection dividends, including durable solutions, or where preserving the integrity of the asylum regime necessitates RSD.
The incumbent provides legal, operational, and strategic support on mandate RSD at the Country Operations level. S/he is the acting RSD focal point in Federal Iraq. S/he is responsible for conducting RSD interviews, and drafting regular and/or simplified RSD assessments for diverse caseloads with requirements under the RSD Procedural Standards. This includes sensitive and complex RSD/exclusion cases, which the incumbent will be expected to finalize in a timely manner. The incumbent is also responsible for reviewing RSD Appeal and Reopening applications and recommending decisions accordingly. The incumbent is further responsible to provide counselling on RSD decisions whenever required. The incumbent may also be requested to support the RSD Unit with further RSD-related activities, including interpretation and translation services, in cases where s/he has the required language competencies. Occasional travels may be required across Federal Iraq and KR-I to support RSD activities. The incumbent will also be involved in sensitive Protection and Civilian Character of Asylum (CCA) Assessments. Additionally, the incumbent will be involved in capacity building activities for UNHCR and partner staff, in addition to government employees involved in asylum capacity development activities.
Therefore, previous experience in conducting detailed and thorough interviews, such as RSD, Resettlement and Protection, for asylum seekers or migrants is required. In addition, the incumbent should demonstrate strong interpersonal, communication and drafting skills, as well as an ability to work under pressure and to set timeframes. Previous experience with legal analysis and drafting is a strong advantage as is a Bachelorโs or Masterโs level qualification in Public and/or International Law, Human Rights, International Affairs and/or Political and Social Sciences. Fluency in both Arabic and English is required; fluency in Farsi, Kurdish and/or Turkish is an advantage. Experience in training, coaching and capacity building activities is a plus.
- When completing the application, candidates are required to list all of their language skills, including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 (\"Basic User\"), B1/B2 (\"Independent User\"), and C1/C2 (\"Proficient User\").
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
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Operational context
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Nature of Position:
Living and Working Conditions:
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Cross-cultural communication, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees, PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures, PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance, SO-Research, WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals
Education
CertificationsCommunity Development/Social Work - Other, HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Stakeholder management, Teamwork & collaboration
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Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance