Associate RSD Officer – Level 2

Details

Mission and objectives

Update

Context

The Liberia Operation work focus on seeking Durable Solutions, emphasis on voluntary repatriation of Ivorian refugees as major strategic priority. The operation continues with efforts to local integration Ivorian refugees who opt to locally integrate and other for protection reasons are unable to return. 38,464 refugees most from Cote d’Ivoire and 38 asylum seekers asylum seekers are registered Liberia as October 2021. Ivorian refugees are recognized on prima facie basis, it is expected cessation clause will come into force in June 2022. Other nationals go through individual status determination. The operation is working with the regional Bureau of West Africa and Central Africa and the RSD section in Geneva and the Liberian Government to set up implementation of exemption procedures schedule to take place in 2022. UNHCR Liberia is committed to support GoL to build capacities on RSD to develop a road map on cessation eventual exit strategy. The Associate RSD Officer-Level 2 will require an individual with solid Protection, RSD and Registration experience; have strong advocacy, coordination competencies and experience to represent UNHCR while working with government entities including LRRRC. Experience in UNHCR Progress V4 is advantage.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of Senior Durable Solutions Officer based in Monrovia, the UN Volunteer will: Strategic Direction and Coordination: • 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. • Contribute to the development and enhancement of regional and global RSD standards and policies. Response and Advice: • Review RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to RSD staff. • Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines. • Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases. • Provide counselling to asylum seekers and refugees. • Assist in designing, implementing and revising, as required, operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of the RSD operation in accordance with applicable standards and policies. • Systematically apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective in the performance of assigned functions. • Assist in monitoring RSD trends and in compiling and analyzing 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. Advocacy, Information Management and Research: • 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, policy 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. Note: RSD UN Volunteers are not authorized to endorse and co-sign RSD decisions. Promotion and Capacity Building: • 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. • Support the development and implementation of RSD training initiatives for Government authorities and legal partners. Human resources: • Assist in evaluating and projecting RSD staffing needs using the RSD Staffing Bench-marks. • Support UNHCR staff engaged in RSD and related activities and exercise effective oversight. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for in-stance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.