Senior RSD Associate

- This position is advertised and open for internal (Group 1 & Group 2) and external candidates. - Interested internal candidates holding Fixed-Term position and Group 2; Temporary Appointment, AWF in UNHCR, may apply.
- External candidates may apply.
- We are committed to apply the Recruitment and Assignment of Locally Recruited Staff (RALS) 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.

Operational Context:

Egypt is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol, as well as to the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa.  UNHCR is mandated by the Government of Egypt to determining refugee status since 1954. The Senior RSD Associate¿s responsibilities include but are not limited to case reviews as well as providing legal and procedural guidance and coaching. The incumbent might also be requested to be involved in tasks related to the reception and registration of asylum seekers and refugees, file assignment and scheduling of RSD interviews, coordination of the work of interpreters, as required. The Senior RSD Associate may liaise with Government authorities and other partners about issues related to UNHCR's RSD procedure and relevant UNHCR guidelines and standards related to RSD. S/he may supervise caseworkers and carry out training for staff, Government authorities and other partners on legal and procedural issues related to RSD and provide technical advice to strengthen national asylum procedures.


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.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Professional Work Experience
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 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. Competencies as defined in Job Profile - For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English. - Fixed Term Appointment (FTA),  For one (1) year with possibility of extension. 
- Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and will have to undergo an oral interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
- Only Egyptian nationality or valid work permit residence of the country can apply, no relocation fees apply.
- UNHCR follows a strict non-smoking environment policy.
- We encourage the applicants to apply with enough time prior to the deadline. To avoid any technical issues prevents the applicants from submitting their applications.
- In case of any technical issues, it is advisable to take a screen shot proves the incident and send it to the HR unit to support. - The closing date for submission of application is 31 January 2022 (Cairo local time).