Only candidates who are not nationals of the country of assignment are eligible to apply to this position
Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR4
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
* Staff members will not normally serve in International Professional positions in the country of their nationality. In addition, in case of a first appointment upon recruitment, the assignment must be outside the staff memberโs country of nationality.
In practical terms this means that you are not eligible to apply for International Professional vacancies advertised in the country where you are national of.
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2023-10-13
Job Posting End DateNovember 9, 2023
Standard Job Description
Senior RSD Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior RSD Officer provides legal, operational and strategic support on mandate or national RSD at global, regional or country operations level. The position may be located at Headquarters (within the Division of International Protection), in a Regional Bureau or in a Country Office and reports to the Head of the RSD Section in DIP or Head of Protection Service or Representative or Deputy Representative, as appropriate. The Senior RSD Officer manages/supports RSD activities and resources in operations receiving a high volume of asylum applications and with a significant number of staff dedicated to RSD and registration.
The incumbent 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 review, endorsement and clearance of recommendations on individual cases in line with requirements under the RSD Procedural Standards or as directed by Senior Management. The incumbent is also responsible for developing 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-building/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.
If based in a country operation, the Senior 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 Senior RSD Officer works closely with senior managers, UNHCR 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 PNSS Sections and other HQ Divisions as required. The incumbent normally supervises professional level staff.
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
- 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.
- Engage relevant national authorities and structures in identifying and expanding opportunities in view of developing or strengthening national asylum/RSD systems.
- Undertake quality review of RSD Assessments in line with UNHCR policies/guidelines related to mandate RSD and endorse RSD decisions as required.
- Conduct interviews and draft RSD Assessments in complex/sensitive cases per relevant standards and guidelines
- Provide ongoing coaching as well as specialized 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 specialized training to other UNHCR units on the refugee criteria and related issues as needed.
- Develop a RSD strategy and support senior management to ensure its full and effective integration into Country Operations Plan.
- Develop/enhance regional and global RSD standards and policies, as required.
- Design, implement and revise, as required, operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of RSD operations in line with relevant standards/policies, including UNHCR's AGD policy and Forward Plan, ensuring the prioritisation of persons with specific needs, if based in a Regional Bureau, provide support to operations on the above.
- Monitor trends and systematically compile statistics related to RSD case processing.
- Analyze key indicators of the quality and efficiency of decision-making in RSD processing to assess capacity and resource requirements of operations in the region or the operation to which the Senior RSD Officer is assigned.
- Evaluate and project RSD staffing and financial needs using the RSD Staffing Benchmarks, and support allocation of appropriate human, material and financial resources.
- Contribute to identifying and preventing fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR personnel, partners and persons of concern.
If based in DIP or a Regional Bureau:
- Conduct support missions, as required.
- Regularly assess training needs in UNHCR RSD operations and enhance RSD Supervisors to provide coaching/capacity building for UNHCR personnel and deployees under their supervision, in coordination with the GLC as appropriate.
- Maintain and manage a consultative process with operations and other stakeholders in the region.
If based in a country operation, together with competent host authorities and partners, develop and maintain processes aiming at developing national institutional capacities and the timely identification of international protection needs in line with the GCR and other key planning considerations.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
International Refugee Law; International Human Rights Law; International Humanitarian Law;
International Criminal Law; Social Sciences; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
RSD Learning Programme;
Management Learning Programme;
Protection Learning Programme;
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
5 years of experience working directly with procedues and principles related to adjudicating individual asylum claims in RSD procedures. In-depth knowledge of International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law and International Criminal Law and ability to apply relevant legal principles in the RSD context, including exclusion decision-making. Thorough knowledge of the \"Procedural Standards for RSD under UNHCR's Mandate\" and other guidelines and standards governing UNHCR's mandate RSD activities. Experience in counselling asylum-seekers and individual case management. Experience in refugee law training.
Desirable
Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government SD procedures is highly desirable. Experience in providing legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government SD procedures. Experience in supervising a team. Completion of other UNHCR Learning Programmes relevant to RSD. Training and coaching experience. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals. Knowledge of additional UN languages.
Functional Skills
PR-Refugee Protection Principles and Framework
PR-Human Rights
PR-International Humanitarian Law
PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures
PR-Provide legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures
CO-Cross-cultural communication
LE-Draft legal settlement agreements
(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 The desired candidate profile would have strong substantive RSD expertise, either from working in mandate RSD operations or engaging in national asylum capacity development, and be able to apply RSD concepts, standards and guidance to novel situations. Strong drafting skills will be key, as the incumbent will frequently be required to draft RSD related tools, develop guidance or produce other documents for internal or external circulation on short notice. Given the increasingly important role that technology plays in RSD, the incumbent should be comfortable in engaging with, and providing guidance on, the use of technology and should ideally be comfortable with PRIMES. Finally, as the ASD Section works closely with other parts of DIP, other UNHCR Division, Regional Bureaux and Country Operations, as well as external stakeholders, excellent communication and coordination skills, as well as political awareness, will be key in being able to successfully fulfill the functions of the position.
French and Spanish language is desirable
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Occupational Safety and Health Considerations
The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and can accommodate the specific needs for qualified candidates.
Nature of Position
The position is based in Asylum System and Determination Section (ASD), Policy and Law Service, Division of International Protection and reports to the Chief of Section. The ASD Section consists of three units, the Status Determination Unit, the Asylum Capacity Development Unit and the Country of Origin/Country Guidance Unit. These three units work closely together in line with UNHCRโs Strategic Direction on RSD to provide providing legal, operational and procedural advice and support to Regional Bureaux, Country Operations and external stakeholders on different aspects related to refugee status determination (RSD), asylum systems capacity development, including through the Asylum Capacity Support Group, and on country of origin information and country guidance.
The position heads the Status Determination Unit in the ASD Section, which, under the leadership of the Chief of Section, takes the lead on advice and support on thematic issues related to RSD in both national systems and in UNHCR Mandate operations. These topics include case processing modalities, procedural standards, quality assurance initiatives, children in RSD, RSD applicants with disabilities, data protection in RSD, RSD for durable solutions, as well as other thematic topics. The Status Determination Unit also takes the lead on trainings related to these topic areas, with support from other colleauges in the Section, in particular the RSD Learning Programme and the Interviewing for Protection Learning Programme. A third area covered by the Status Determination Unit is the interplay between RSD and technology, including engagement with UNHCRโs PRIMES, national case management systems (in collaboration with the Global Data Service) and use of innovative technologies in RSD.
Living and Working Conditions
The position is based in Geneva, Switzerland. The incumbent will be required to travel, sometimes on short notice. Living and working conditions in Switzerland are up to the level of a highly developed country, where easy access to quality schooling, services, medical support, and higher education is available. The position requires residence in Geneva and cannot be undertaken remotely, although some teleworking is possible, after discussions with the manager.
DIP welcomes candidates with field protection experience from diverse backgrounds.
Additional Qualifications
Skills
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
CertificationsHCR Management 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, Empowering & building trust, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Managing performance, Managing resource, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Policy research & development, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium Bi-annual Compendium 2023 Part B - October 2023
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance