Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA5
Target Start Date2025-07-01
Deadline for ApplicationsJune 18, 2025
Terms of Reference1. General Background
The Senior Legal Assistant reports to the Legal Associate(s) under the overall supervision of the Head of the Legal Protection Unit.
The incumbent will be addressing various legal and practical protection challenges, including but not limited to the detention of asylum-seekers and refugees, through engagement with different Government agencies, civil society and refugee community organisations. The incumbent will monitor protection standards, operational procedures and practices in protection delivery in line with international standards and provide functional support to other colleagues and counterparts as it relates to government policies and their obligations under international law.
Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Legal Protection Unit and the direct supervision of a Legal Associate, the central aspect of the role involves direct engagement with individuals in detention or at risk of detention. The incumbent conducts interviews and assessments to gather critical information related to registration, asylum claims, family unity, and protection needs. S/he is also responsible for monitoring and responding to arrest reports, issuing verification letters to authorities, providing legal intervention including engagements with court officials and advocating for the release of refugees and asylum-seekers. This work requires not only legal expertise but also sensitivity, discretion, and the ability to act swiftly and decisively under tight deadlines. The incumbent will also be required to monitor, manage and respond to arrest reports made to the Office through the Detention Hotline and other means, in order to issue verification letters to the authorities to facilitate the release of person of concern.
The Senior Legal Assistant is expected to coordinate quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern and identify opportunities to mainstream protection methodologies and integrate protection safeguards in operational responses in all sectors. The incumbent contributes to designing a comprehensive protection strategy and may liaise externally with local authorities and partners on protection issues as guided by the supervisor.
The incumbent will ensure that refugees and asylum-seekers are involved with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective interfaces with communities of concern, local authorities, the judiciary, the legal fraternity, and protection and assistance partners. The incumbent must possess strong drafting, communication and advocacy skills, with the ability to work independently and make sound and balanced decisions and interventions. The incumbent should also demonstrate the ability to work in a multifunctional team to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.
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.
2. Organization Setting and Work Relationships:
The Senior Legal Assistant is a member of the legal protection team in the Country Office. He/she reports to the Legal Associate.
The Senior Legal Assistant assists the supervisor to prepare legal analysis required for quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. Another important function of the position is to contribute to the involvement of the persons of concern with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to support involvement of communities of concern and relevant authorities in continuous cooperation.
Duties and responsibilities:
• Assist in monitoring the emerging legal acts and judicial practice.
• Contribute to legal analysis and review.
• Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers.
• Draft correspondence and other documents as requested.
• Cooperate with partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders as assigned.
• Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
• Perform other related duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Through Performance Evaluation – Mid Term and Final evaluations
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
Certificates and/or Licenses: International Law; Political Science
b. Work Experience
2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1-year relevant experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Essential
Good computer skills, particularly in data management.
Functional Skills
T-Computer Literacy
CL-Protection & Solutions Awareness
PR-Protection-related guidelines, standards and indicators
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
c. Key Competencies
Core Competencies
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies
Analytical Thinking
Political Awareness
Stakeholder Management
Additional Information:
This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2025 with the possibility of extension.
The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
UNHCR does not sponsor work visa or work permit and applicant who is not Malaysian national should already have their status confirmed that they are able to secure a work visa at the time of the application.
Standard Job Description
Senior Legal Assistant
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Legal Assistant is a member of the protection team in the Country Office. He/she reports to the (Associate) Legal Officer.
The Senior Legal Assistant assists the supervisor to prepare legal analysis required for quality, timely and effective protection responses to the needs of populations of concern. Another important function of the position is to contribute to the involvement of the persons of concern with the Office in making decisions that affect them, whether in accessing their rights or in identifying appropriate solutions to their problems. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to support involvement of communities of concern and relevant authorities in continuous cooperation.
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.
Duties
- Assist in monitoring the emerging legal acts and judicial practice.
- Contribute to legal analysis and review.
- Contribute to the preparation of legal advice and draft position papers.
- Draft correspondence and other documents as requested.
- Cooperate with partner NGOs and other relevant stakeholders as assigned.
- Participate in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts at the relevant level.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Law; Post-Sec Training Certificat; Human Rights;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Not specified.
Functional Skills
Not specified.
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.
Required Languages English
,Malay
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
CertificationsHuman Rights - Other, Law - Other
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo