CLOSED --- UNHCR is looking for REFUGEE STATUS DETERMINATION OFFICERS (2 Positions)

Title of Post  : RSD Officer

Category and Level : NOC

Position No  : 10015856 and 10011340 (two positions)

Duration  : 1 year, renewable

Location   : Ankara, Turkey

Closing Date  : 24 September 2014

FUNCTIONS:

The RSD Officer is the Supervisor of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team and directly manages and oversees UNHCR's RSD procedures and decision-making as well as related activities in the operation.  The RSD Officer is responsible for developing an operation-specific RSD strategy to promote the effectiveness of RSD as a protection tool in the operation and maximize the efficiency and quality of RSD decision-making.  The RSD Officer provides day-to-day supervision, direction and support to UNHCR staff engaged in RSD and related activities (including Reception, Registration and RSD), monitors the efficiency and quality of RSD decision-making, and reviews and endorses RSD decisions.  

The RSD Officer advocates with and supports Government authorities and legal partners in establishing and strengthening fair and efficient RSD procedures and RSD decision-making and develops and implements awareness-raising and training initiatives in this area.   

The RSD Officer liaises with other RSD operations in the Region, the Regional RSD Officer, the Bureau and the RSD Unit in DIP to promote regional and global consistency in RSD procedures and decision-making and to contribute to develop and enhance regional and global RSD standards and policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

                         Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD.

                         Contribute to the development of the RSD strategy and support senior management to ensure that the RSD strategy is fully and effectively integrated into the Country Operations Plan.

                         Contribute to the development and enhancement of regional and global RSD standards and policies.

                         Supervise and oversee RSD and RSD-related activities to promote full compliance with written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all aspects of the RSD operation and other relevant standards and guidelines.

                         Design, implement and revise, as required, operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of the RSD operation in accordance with applicable standards and policies, including the UNHCR AGD policy and Forward Plan, ensuring the prioritisation of persons with specific needs.

                         Review and endorse RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to RSD staff.  

                         Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments for complex or sensitive RSD cases in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines.

                         Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases.

                         Prevent and identify fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR staff, partners and persons of concern.   

                         Monitor RSD trends and regularly and systematically compile and analyse RSD statistics related to RSD case processing in order to identify and respond to issues impacting on the efficiency or quality of RSD decision-making and to maintain an accurate assessment of the capacity and resource requirements of the operation.  

                         Liaise regularly with other RSD operations in the Region, the Regional RSD Officer, and the Bureau and the RSD Unit in DIP to ensure appropriate information exchange.

                         Develop and maintain processes to ensure that persons of concern, Government authorities and partners have accurate information on the RSD procedures, including UNHCR standards, policy and practice.

                         Advocate with and support Government authorities and legal partners to establish and strengthen fair and efficient RSD procedures and RSD decision-making.

                         Regularly assess training needs of UNHCR staff engaged in RSD and related activities and provide on-going training and coaching on legal and procedural RSD issues.

                         Regularly assess training needs of Government authorities and legal partners and develop and implement RSD training initiatives. 

                         Evaluate and project RSD staffing and financial needs using the RSD Staffing Benchmarks; advocate with senior management for the allocation of appropriate human, material and financial resources. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

                      

 1. Education and skills

                         University Degree in Law, political science, international relations or another related field. 

                         Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures is highly desirable.

                         Experience in providing legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures.

                         Ability to draft legal opinions 

                         Experience in supervising a team

                         Training and coaching experience.

                         Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals. 

                         Completion of UNHCR's RSD Learning Programme, COI Learning Programme, Protection Learning Programme, or Management Learning Programme.

                          

                       

2. Experience

                         Minimum 8 years (6 years with advanced University degree) of relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law. 

                         Minimum 3 years of experience working directly with procedures and principles related to the adjudication of individual asylum claims in RSD procedures.

                         Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. 

                         Thorough knowledge of the "Procedural Standards for Refugee Status Determination under UNHCR's Mandate" and other guidelines and standards governing UNHCR's mandate RSD activities. 

                         Excellent drafting and report writing skills.

                        

3. Languages

                         Excellent knowledge of Turkish and fluency in English.

                         Knowledge of other UN languages.

                        

4. Required Competencies

                         Empowering and Building Trust

                         Managing Performance

                         Judgement and Decision Making

                         Judgement and Decision Making

                         Strategic Planning and Vision

                         Leadership

                         Managing Resources

                         Analytical Thinking

                         Planning and Organizing

                         Policy Development and Research

Planning and Organizing Planning and Organizing If you wish to be considered for this vacancy, please apply in writing to TURANHR@unhcr.org  e-mail address directly referring to

Internal Vacancy Notice 104/14 no later than:

24 September 2014

For National Official positions only Turkish Nationals are eligible

All applicants are required to submit a motivation letter also required to submit a CV/resume and a fully completed P.11 Personal History Form..

Short-listed candidates will be required to pass a written test.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Source: http://www.unhcr.org.tr/uploads/root/vn10414_rsd_officer_noc.pdf