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Assistant Refugee Status Determination Officer, Kampala, Uganda
Organization: Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Country: Uganda
City: Kampala
Office: UNHCR Kampala, Uganda
Remote work accepted: No
Target Start Date: 2024-01-09
Job Posting End Date: January 29, 2024
Standard Job Description: Assistant RSD Officer Organizational Setting and Work Relationships The Assistant RSD Officer is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. S/he is responsible for conducting RSD interviews to determine eligibility for refugee status, undertaking country of origin (COI) and other research related to the claim, as required, and drafting RSD assessments. The Assistant RSD Officer provides counselling to asylum seekers and refugees on UNHCR’s RSD procedures and on their status, rights and obligations in the country of asylum. S/he may review RSD assessments of less experienced members of the RSD team, seeking the advice of a more senior RSD/Protection Officer on complex cases, and may assist in developing and implementing RSD training and other measures to enhance the quality and efficiency of RSD decision-making. 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. – Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines. – Review and endorse RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to RSD staff. – Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to work on individual cases. – Provide counselling to asylum seekers and refugees. – Assist in preventing and identifying fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR staff, partners and persons of concern. – Assist in monitoring RSD trends and in compiling and analysing RSD statistics related to RSD case processing to identify and respond to developments or issues impacting on the efficiency or quality of RSD decision-making, and to propose remedial measures. – Conduct research on country of origin information (COI) and legal issues related to RSD and assist in maintaining a local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards accessible to RSD staff in the operation – Ensure that persons of concern, Government authorities and legal partners have accurate information on the RSD procedures, including UNHCR standards, policy and practice. – 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. – Assist in evaluating and projecting RSD staffing needs using the RSD Staffing Benchmarks. – Decide and endorse RSD decisions.
– 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
Years of Experience / Degree Level For P1/NOA – 1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree Field(s) of Education Law; Political Science; International Relations; or other relevant field. Certificates and/or Licenses HCR RSD Lrng Programme; HCR Protection Learning Prg; HCR Cntry of Orig Inf Lrng Prg; (Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential) Relevant Job Experience Essential Minimum 1 year of relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law. Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Desirable Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD is highly desirable. Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures. Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.Functional Skills DM-Data Collection and Analysis PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees CO-Drafting and Documentation LE-Legal Research 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: Relevant Job Experience Essential Minimum 4 years of relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law. Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Desirable Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD is highly desirable. Experience in researching case Law and Refugee Protection is desirable. Understanding of UNHCR procedural mandate is desirable. Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures. Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.Functional Skills DM-Data Collection and Analysis
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):: , ,
Desired languages: , ,
Operational context: Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:: Nature of the position: As of 31 December 2023, Uganda hosted 1.6 million refugees and asylum-seekers: the highest number of refugees and asylum-seekers in Africa. Of this number, 37,660 (2%) are asylum seekers.
Most refugees (92%) live in 13 refugee settlements alongside the local communities whilst 8% reside in urban areas (mainly Kampala). 51% of the refugee population are female whilst 48% are male. Children constitute 58% of the population while women and children together account for 80% of the population. The refugees and asylum-seekers are from 31 countries with the majority being from South Sudan (57%) and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) (31%). Refugees originating from Burundi, Somalis, Rwanda, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and other countries account for 24% of the refugee population.
Pursuant to the 2006 Uganda Refugee Act and 2010 Regulations, the Government is responsible for Refugee Status Determination in Uganda and in line with this, the Government has established eligibility bodies notably, the Refugee Eligibility Committee) and Refugee Appeals Board to undertake RSD processes. UNHCR plays an observer role in the RSD process and the organization also provides technical and operational support. Uganda’s Multi-Year Strategy underlines initiatives to improve the RSD system as one of the strategic objectives. During the Global Refugee Forum in December 2019, the Government of Uganda pledged to enhance the capacity of the asylum institution.
In addition to participating in the RSD eligibility process as observer, the RSD Officer will play a key role in supporting the Governments’ RSD capacity development and should demonstrate substantive experience and seniority in this regard.
Living and Working Conditions:: Additional Qualifications: Skills
CO-Drafting and Documentation, DM-Data Collection and Analysis, LE-Legal Research, 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
Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Law, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political ScienceCertifications
HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR Protection Learning Program – UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program – UNHCR
Work Experience
Competencies: Accountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Planning & organizing, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator: https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium: Additional Information: Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or oral interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against COVID-19
Functional clearance:
This position doesn’t require a functional clearance
To apply for this job please visit unhcr.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com.