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Prot Of (Asylum and Migration)

Geneva

  • Organization: UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Security policy
  • Closing Date: Closed

Protection Officer (Asylum and Migration)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
The Protection Officer (Asylum and Migration) reports directly to the Senior Legal Officer (Asylum and Migration), as part of the Asylum and Migration Unit, and within the Protection Policy and Legal Advice Section (PPLA) in the Division of International Protection (DIP). He/she provides functional expertise and oversight on protection and legal issues in the asylum and migration context, and provides guidance, standards and advice to UNHCR field offices, as well as other sections and divisions in Headquarters, on questions concerning mixed movements, access to territory and asylum procedures as arising in the migration and border management context, and others. The incumbent also represents the Organization to external partners and other stakeholders on relevant aspects of law and policy relating to asylum and migration.

The Protection Officer (Asylum and Migration) is part of the Asylum and Migration Unit within the wider PPLA team, and is expected to work in close collaboration with other team members, notably where asylum and migration issues arise in the context of wider legal and policy discussions involving UNHCR's persons of concern and/or questions of asylum and protection at national, regional or global level. S/he will need to produce, contribute to and coordinate quality, timely and effective advice, support and inputs on asylum and migration issues, with reference to the rights and wellbeing of populations of concern, as well as UNHCR's operational activities. He/she will also support the formulating of advice and responses to queries related to asylum and migration law and policy to outside partners. To achieve this, the incumbent will need to build and maintain effective partnerships with other Sections and Divisions within Headquarters, as well as with UNHCR's country and regional operations, in close cooperation with the Regional Bureaux.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT
Accountability
- Particular expertise is developed, maintained and drawn upon to guide responses on such legal and policy issues arising in the context of maritime, land and air borders management, including rescue and interception at sea.
- Background papers, research, briefing notes, draft advice and opinions, talking points and presentations are developed to support UNHCR's positions and operational responses and activities around asylum and migration.
- UNHCR¿s views, concerns and positions on asylum and migration are effectively and persuasively communicated to external partners, as relevant.

Responsibility
- Support the Legal Officer on legal, policy and operational responses on movements of asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants.
- Develop general policy and legal advice for UNHCR and, where relevant, for outside partners in relation to asylum and migration, including on the scope and focus of operational and protection interventions to ensure respect for the rights and wellbeing of persons of concern in wider migratory movements.
- Provide prompt, principled and timely guidance, advice and support on specific questions to UNHCR's Regional Bureaux, Regional Offices and Country Operations, as well as to States, partners and other relevant stakeholders, on a wide range of asylum and migration legal and policy issues.
- Develop and provide background papers, research, advice and opinions as well as talking points, as well as preparation of material for and delivery of training to UNHCR staff and partners on asylum and migration issues, as required.

Authority
- Represent the Asylum and Migration Unit, PPLA and DIP in meetings within UNHCR and with external counterparts.
- Apply existing doctrine to relevant situations.
- Initiate, design and negotiate new legal and policy positions on asylum and migration issues and challenges, as appropriate.
- Work independently and take initiatives in areas in his/her area of responsibility. Proactively identify and work with concerned colleagues on emerging challenges.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Advanced University degree in Law/International Law, Political Science with law as a major subject, with preference for international law, human rights or refugee law.
- Minimum 6 years of relevant professional work experience (8 years with University degree).
- Minimum 3 years of working experience in an international capacity.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of asylum and migration, notably as regards asylum-seekers and refugees in the context of wider migratory movements.
- A strong understanding of refugee law, international protection principles, asylum and migration, as well as particularly on the application of the principle of non-refoulement in the context of border and migration management.
- Excellent research, analytical and drafting skills.
- Excellent knowledge of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Experience working on asylum and migration issues, particularly in relation to migration and border management.
- A solid understanding of refugee law more broadly, as well as current legal, policy and political developments and debates around asylum and migration.
- A good knowledge of the institutions and structures working on asylum and migration issues.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, including on doctrinal and normative aspects.
- Working knowledge of French, and if possible, a third UN language.
This vacancy is now closed.
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