Job Description

Hardship Level A (least hardship)

Family Type Family

Family Type Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade GS7

Staff Member / Affiliate Type General Service

Reason Regular
Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted No

Target Start Date 2024-04-01

Job Posting End Date December 28, 2023

Standard

Senior RSD Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior RSD Associate is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. S/he is responsible for supporting activities related to the processing of refugee claims in the Operation. The incumbent 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 Senior RSD Associate liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff. The incumbent 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 also assists in drafting RSD Assessments. The Senior RSD Associate assists in compiling and analysing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation and drafts related correspondence and reports. The Senior RSD Associate may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies. The incumbent normally supervises lower grade General Service staff within the functional Group.

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
- 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 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.
- Provide training for staff when required.
- 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.

- 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 G7 - 4 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
Law; Community Dvpt/Social Work; HCR Cntry of Orig Inf Lrng Prg;
HCR Protection Learning Prg; HCR RSD Lrng Programme;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential
4 years relevant work experience.

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 counselling asylum seekers or refugees. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.

Functional Skills
PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees
PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
SO-Research
(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 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 and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.

Desired Candidate Profile The UNHCR Office in Kuala Lumpur continues to conduct Refugee Status Determination (RSD) under its mandate in the absence of national asylum procedures. In line with the Office\xe2\x80\x99s strategic directions to enhance protection and asylum space as well as address the protection and solutions needs of forcibly displaced people, the case processing strategy for Registration, RSD and Durable Solutions is based on prioritization of asylum-seekers and refugees with emergency and urgent protection needs and vulnerabilities. At the same time, RSD will be applied strategically in order to uphold the integrity of the asylum process. One of the RSD Unit\xe2\x80\x99s objectives is also to contribute to the Office\xe2\x80\x99s objective to engage in ongoing dialogue with the Malaysian Government on a national refugee policy.

The RSD Unit relies on staff with the requisite RSD expertise and managerial skills to supervise and review the work of Eligibility Officers and administrative support staff. The Senior RSD Associate provides close supervision to GS staff and UNOPS individual contractors, including onboarding and induction, ongoing training and capacity development, review of RSD assessments and other work products, as well as monitoring/improving productivity and quality of interviewing and adjudication. S/he will engage in a high volume of RSD case review, including a variety of profiles and using a range of modalities and methodologies, to achieve challenging decision targets and harmonised decision-making. S/he will also have focal point responsibilities with respect to referrals and related RSD processing. Prior experience of management, training and capacity-building in the context of asylum is therefore desirable. In addition, interpersonal skills and the ability to work with colleagues of different backgrounds are essential to ensure professional and constructive working relations, as well as expected standards of service delivery to asylum-seekers and refugees.

Additional Information:

The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

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.

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between MYR 6,654.76 and MYR 8,427.63 depending on relevant experience. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

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Desired languages

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Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees, PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance, SO-Research

Education

Certifications Community Development/Social Work - Other, HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR, Law - Other

Work Experience

Competencies Accountability, 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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Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance This position doesn\'t require a functional clearance

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