Associate RSD Officer
Organizational Context
The UNHCR Office in Egypt conducts Refugee Status Determination (RSD) under its mandate due to the absence of national asylum procedures. With Egypt's recent enactment of a national asylum law, the RSD Unit is pivotal in transitioning to a domestic asylum framework, aligning with international standards and UNHCR's strategic goals.
Job Purpose
The Associate RSD Officer provides crucial legal, operational, and strategic support for mandate or national Refugee Status Determination (RSD) at country, regional, or global levels. Reporting to the RSD Officer or Protection Officer, the incumbent offers guidance on legal and procedural matters related to RSD, conducts RSD interviews, and reviews cases according to UNHCR standards. A key aspect of the role involves contributing to the development of RSD strategies and methodologies to enhance RSD as a protection tool, aligning with organizational objectives and policies. The position also focuses on training and capacity-building for staff and partners, monitoring RSD decision-making trends, and advocating with government authorities to strengthen national asylum systems in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.
Responsibilities
The Associate RSD Officer is responsible for providing legal and procedural advice on RSD adjudication within their Area of Responsibility, staying updated on legal and political developments relevant to RSD and the protection environment. They will support engagement with national authorities to strengthen asylum systems and conduct quality reviews of RSD assessments, endorsing decisions as required. The role involves conducting interviews and drafting RSD assessments for complex cases, providing coaching and training on inclusion criteria, exclusion, international humanitarian and human rights law, interviewing techniques, and legal drafting. The incumbent will also train other UNHCR units on refugee criteria and assist in developing RSD strategies and operational SOPs, prioritizing persons with specific needs. Monitoring RSD case processing trends, analyzing decision-making quality and efficiency, and projecting RSD staffing and financial needs are also key duties. Furthermore, the officer will contribute to identifying and preventing fraud in RSD, conduct support missions, assess training needs, and manage consultative processes with stakeholders. In country operations, they will collaborate with authorities to develop national institutional capacities and identify protection needs. Risk management and reporting of issues are also integral to the role.
Work Experience
A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience is required, with at least 3 years working directly with procedures and principles related to adjudicating individual asylum claims in RSD procedures. In-depth knowledge of relevant international laws and UNHCR guidelines is essential.
Skills
RSD adjudication International Refugee Law International Human Rights Law International Humanitarian Law Legal drafting Case management Training and coaching Government engagement Protection strategy development Risk management Cross-cultural communication Quality review