Associate Protection Officer (QAI/RSD) (IICA-1)

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

FamilyUNOPS IICA1

2023-01-03-08:00December 19, 20221. General Background

The RSD system in Mexico has faced several challenges in recent years. The number of applications for asylum has dramatically increased, from 3,400 new asylum applications in 2015, to 131,000 in 2021, and in 2022 this upward trend continues. This has caused the wait times for RSD to grow, which has had negative protection impacts on asylum-seekers. Despite urgent and increasing needs, COMAR’s overall budget has been reduced, and the institution is highly dependent of UNHCR financial support. On the other hand, Mexico has a Migration Policy with a renewed human rights approach and COMAR is a reference in developing innovative procedures to increase its process capacity and guarantee international protection in the region. UNHCR supports COMAR to increase the fairness, efficiency, adaptability and integrity of the national asylum system, mostly through the Quality Assurance Initiative since 2012, and more robustly since 2019.

In the last 3 years, with the support of two Individual Consultancies, many recommendations were issued and the advance in terms of RSD were notable, as to the implementation of differentiated case processing, definition and monitoring of case target and quality analysis of interviews and asylum decisions. This position is expected to continue this work and support COMAR offices with RSD related issues nationality to guarantee homologation of procedures among different offices.

Priority of capacity building and trainings will be given to the most experienced officers of COMAR, with the understanding that they will pass on their acquired knowledge amongst the new COMAR staff.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the functional supervision of the Snr Protection Officer, and in close contact with the QAI team, the Associate Protection Officer (QAI/RSD) is expected to:

Ensure due and continuous follow-up of the implementation of the Partnership Agreement between UNHCR and COMAR.

Maintain close relationship with UNHCR acting as a liaison between COMAR and UNHCR on RSD related issues, especially in regard to a coordinated strategy between UNHCR and COMAR legal units.

Work closely with the National Protection Director of COMAR to monitor all the already implemented RSD practices nationally, advising the realization of adjustments when necessary, and to develop new measures to ensure consistency and quality of procedures. Special attention will be given to the quality of remote interviews.

Support COMAR eligibility officers nationally with their interviews and asylum decisions, orienting them in their RSD logical analysis. The advice provided will be strictly technical, with the understanding that the final decision will always be COMAR´s prerogative.

Deepen the existing diagnosis of eligibility gaps and conduct regular quality assessments of COMAR´s eligibility interviews and asylum decisions nationally, producing periodical reports with recommendations, persisting gaps and progress observed. Follow up the implementation of recommendations.

Support the elaboration, organization and delivery of training activities on refugee status determination to COMAR staff, including on-the-job training approach.

Advise on the structure of COMAR eligibility team in Mexico City and COMAR’s field offices, especially in regard to creation and optimization of an administrative units, and monitor the compliance with individual monthly targets to ensure backlog reduction and increased processing capacity.

Support the implementation and monitoring of differentiated case processing modalities in in Mexico City and COMAR’s field offices, supporting the development of triage abilities to channel cases to the correct pathway from the beginning of the RSD process.

Advise and monitor COMAR´s case closure strategy.

Promote and facilitate the effective analysis and consideration by COMAR of the refugee definition included in article 13 (II) of the Mexican Refugee Law/Cartagena definition as well as the appropriate use of the complementary protection figure.

Support the implementation of the digital transformation, on all activities related to protection module of the SIRE (COMAR´s Case Management and Database System) and of the other relevant applications. This will include capacity building and training activities, monitoring the correct use of the tools, communicating gaps of their implementation, offering technical inputs to improve all digital transformation activities and actively empowering COMAR in taking ownership of the whole digital transformation process.

Assure the submission of monthly RSD data by COMAR to UNHCR, raising before supervisors any change in decision trend

Support COMAR´s participation in regional forums and meetings.

Perform other duties as required.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

a. The final product (e.g., survey completed, data collected, workshop conducted, research documents produced specify): A final report to specify/explain the work done and the continuous challenges.
b. Delivery Periodicity, as applicable: The calendar and time frame will be discussed and agreed with the Associate Protection Officer (QAI RSD).
c. Work on the basis of time employed - No
d. If it is to result in a written product specify:
i. Number of pages: TBD
ii. Language(s): Spanish
iii. Number of copies: 1 soft copy

4. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

Graduate degree in Law, International Law, Political Sciences or other relevant field or other relevant field.

b. Work Experience

3 years of relevant work experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1-year relevant experience with Doctorate degree.

Relevant Job Experience

Essential:
Professional experience in the area of refugee protection, internal displacement, human rights or international
humanitarian law. Good knowledge of International Refugee and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.

Desirable:
Field experience, including in working directly with communities. Good IT skills including database management skills. Good English skills are an asset.

c. Key Competencies

Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation

Managerial Competencies:
Judgement and Decision Making
Empowering and Building Trust

Cross-Functional Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
Political Awareness

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This position is advertised to internal and external applicants. Candidates must be legally present in México at the time of application, recruitment and hire. Only Mexicans or candidates holding a valid work permit in México will be considered eligible.

• Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern, is subject to proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, independently of contract type and duration. The selected candidate(s) will be required to provide the proof of vaccination prior to recruitment.

• Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.

• UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

• This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2023 with possibility of extension.

• Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered depending on relevant experience as per the requirements of the job advertisement. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.

 

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

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Desired Languages

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Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance