Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services, Cairo
Vacancy Announcement: Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator
Founded in 1979, StARS is a refugee service provider in central Cairo that works to enhance the quality of life for refugees and vulnerable migrants through five broad program areas: education, psychosocial, legal, community outreach and unaccompanied youth and children support services. We provide high-quality services meeting the unaddressed needs of refugees, and we provide a safe and inclusive space for displaced people to come together as a community. We work for refugees, with refugees, to make rights recognition a reality.
StARS’ Mission: Driven by a commitment to justice and fairness, StARS works as displaced people and for displaced people to respect human dignity and enhance quality of life.
StARS’ Vision: Displaced people lead in the creation and implementation of responses to different forms of migration to establish safe, just, welcoming, and inclusive communities globally.
We serve people from many places, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
To learn more please visit our website: www.stars-egypt.org or our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/standrewsrefugeeservices?fref=ts
Project Description: Refugee Legal Aid Program
The Refugee Legal Aid Program provides advice and representation to refugees seeking recognition by UNHCR through refugee status determination procedures in Egypt assists refugees in accessing resettlement to safe third countries, and advises refugees on protection matters.
StARS has established a full-service center dedicated to meeting the education, protection, legal support, and advocacy needs of Unaccompanied Children and Youth in Cairo. The Unaccompanied Children and Youth population in Egypt is made up of over 6,000 children and youth, of which StARS serves many within its programming. The Refugee Legal Aid Program is seeking a Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator to supervise and develop the legal team providing specialized legal representation and advice to the Unaccompanied children and youth refugee population in their refugee status determination processes, protection situation, and resettlement processes.
Current Sudan Context
In light of the recent and ongoing civil war in Sudan, StARS is experiencing a high influx of persons forcibly displaced from Sudan. This includes unaccompanied children and youth who are Sudanese nationals and other nationalities previously displaced from their country of origin to Sudan. StARS remains flexible and reactive to changes in the local asylum-seeking environment as influenced by the Sudan conflict. Provision of legal advice and representation in accordance with UNHCR procedures to best assist those affected by this ongoing conflict is a key priority for the Refugee Legal Aid Program.
Role
Under the supervision of the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator is responsible for the management and the development of the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team. In consultation with the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator shall be responsible for supervising and determining the strategic direction of the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s Unaccompanied Children and Youth legal aid work. The Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator will be responsible for the day to-day management of the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team, which consists of Senior Legal Officers, Legal Officers, a Program Assistant, and a number of Volunteer Legal Advisors.
Responsibilities
All duties are carried out under the supervision of the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program. Effective communication with the Refugee Legal Aid Program management and other StARS program managers is essential to the success of this role.
Legal and Technical
• To manage the allocation of casework and training of Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid staff on refugee status determination, protection, and resettlement matters.
• To supervise and oversee the screening and intake of potential clients.
• To supervise and oversee the provision of accurate advice and high-quality assistance to clients for representation in refugee status determination matters, including refugee status determination first instance, appeals, and reopening, and to make final decisions on representation of clients requesting assistance in the refugee status determination process.
• To oversee the preparation and filing of first instance, appeal, and reopening submissions to UNHCR’s Refugee Status Determination Unit.
• To coordinate with the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator on the preparation and submission of resettlement referrals to UNHCR for aged-out unaccompanied children.
• To collaborate with the Coordinators, Deputy Director, and Director of Unaccompanied Children and Youth Psychosocial Programs on advocating for unaccompanied children to address protection challenges and access best interest determination (BID) processes to access durable solutions.
• To maintain accurate records of client representations, including client files in the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s case management database (Refugee and Migrant Case Management Information System) and case dockets.
• To maintain a good working knowledge of UNHCR policies and procedures in refugee status determination and resettlement matters and country of origin information on common client populations.
• To manage the training of Unaccompanied Children and Youth support caseworkers on UNHCR procedures and the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s services to ensure appropriate referrals of unaccompanied children and youth clients into legal services.
• In cooperation with the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Psychosocial Program Coordinators, develop and enhance coordination mechanisms between Unaccompanied Children and Youth legal and psychosocial services.
• To engage with refugee-led organizations in providing trainings and follow-up support, as well as participating in open-floor meetings and information sessions.
• To develop and expand the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s legal advocacy regarding Unaccompanied Children and Youth refugees and asylum seekers and to assist the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program in setting and executing policy and advocacy priorities.
• To adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, the StARS Staff Handbook, the StARS Code of Conduct, and the StARS Safety and Security Policy.
Programmatic
• To assist the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program in development and implementation of team systems, policies, and procedures.
• To assist the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program in establishing and maintaining written manuals and procedures for the different services provided by the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team.
• In coordination with the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, maintain and develop the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s relationship with UNHCR’s Registration and Refugee Status Determination Units.
• In coordination with the Director and Deputy Director of Unaccompanied Children and Youth Psychosocial Programs, maintain and develop the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s relationship with UNHCR’s Child Protection Unit
• To regularly attend StARS’ management meetings and other management functions to foster close coordination with other StARS programs.
• To regularly communicate and coordinate with Unaccompanied Children and Youth psychosocial services management staff on changes in legal services for Unaccompanied Children and Youth clients, as well as UNHCR procedures for Unaccompanied Children and Youth.
• To build and maintain relationships with psychosocial and education staff and operational partners.
• To communicate with refugee communities, other service providers, and UNHCR to facilitate the provision of accurate information and advice leading to the fulfillment of refugee rights.
Supervisory
• In coordination with the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, recruit, train, and supervise the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team, including paid staff and volunteers.
• To complete tasks for and monitor progress on StARS’ strategic plan.
• To engage proactively in promoting well being among volunteers and staff.
• To ensure high-quality legal advice and representation and a refugee-rights-based approach.
Finance and Administration
• To undergo probation and annual performance appraisals.
• To meet regularly with the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program regarding the work of the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team.
• To revise the strategy for Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid in response to changing situations and participate in annual work planning.
• In coordination with the Director, Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, and Program Assistant, develop adequate monitoring and evaluation tools and ensure their implementation to assess efficiency and impact of services.
Communication and Reporting
• To communicate regularly with the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, reporting on all major issues and developments in the field and within Refugee Legal Aid Program.
• To be familiar with the Refugee Legal Aid Program’s database program (Refugee and Migrant Case Management Information System) and accurately record and follow up on all relevant case management.
• To provide case reporting data to the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program as requested in order to accurately report work to senior management, funders, and others.
• To contribute to and draft operational activity reports for funders.
• In coordination with the Director and Deputy Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program, monitor and analyze trends relating to newly arriving Unaccompanied Children and Youth clients, as well as their legal needs.
• To promote information-sharing within Refugee Legal Aid Program and StARS on all issues affecting the populations we serve.
• Other duties as assigned
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate will be energetic, articulate, and comfortable interacting with diverse segments of society. The will have demonstrated a firm commitment to human rights and refugee issues with particular emphasis on children and young people.
Essential Qualifications
• English being the official language of UNHCR Cairo and StARS, the Refugee Legal Aid Program Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator must be fluent in oral and written English.
• Master’s degree in a related field (international development, international law, development studies, Middle East Studies) OR a qualified lawyer in any jurisdiction (J.D., LLB or equivalent) OR a minimum of three years of experience in representing refugees in the resettlement or refugee status determination processes OR five years of experience providing direct representation to indigent people in any setting.
• Excellent legal research and drafting skills. Proven experience drafting client affidavits and legal arguments, particularly on behalf of vulnerable clients.
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines and procedures, regarding registration, refugee status determination, and resettlement.
• Knowledge of the general protection situation and vulnerabilities of refugees in Egypt, particularly children and young people.
• A demonstrated commitment to, and sensitivity toward vulnerable or displaced people.
• Ability to live and work in a fluid security environment.
• Significant experience reviewing the work product of others.
• Ability to exercise sound legal judgment, well organized, self-motivated, and reliable.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team as well as individually.
• A positive attitude and sensitive manner when dealing with clients including a range of interviewing skills for dealing with challenging scenarios, particularly in advocating for children and young people, survivors of violence, trafficking, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence.
Desirable Characteristics
• Fluency in Arabic or other refugee language/s is an advantage but not required.
• Experience representing vulnerable children and young people in legal proceedings.
• Experience designing and conducting trainings for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Managerial experience or familiarity with volunteer oversight.
• Life and work experience in the Middle East and/or Egypt or with an urban refugee population.
Working Hours: The Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator is expected to be at work for 40 hours per week, between the hours of 9am and 5pm, from Sunday to Thursday. Longer hours, evening and weekend work are sometimes necessary. Work will be conducted both in StARS premises and also in refugee communities and centers.
Supervised by: Director of Refugee Legal Aid Program
Salary: 19,950 EGP/month, rising to 22,150 EGP/month following successful completion of three-month probationary period. Plus 4,020 EGP/year Health Coverage and 100 EGP/month Saving Scheme Contribution upon completion of probationary period.
Additional official benefits as stipulated in StARS Staff Handbook Guidelines.
This position is subject to a three-month probationary period, at which time the employee’s performance will be reviewed and probation may be extended.
Closing date for applications: 27 April 2024
Anticipated Starting date: 2 June 2024
To apply: Please send your Cover Letter and CV and brief legal writing sample to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator ”. All applications should provide contact information for two professional/academic reference (referees will only be contacted after interviews).
Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
How to apply
To apply: Please send your Cover Letter and CV and brief legal writing sample to applications@stars-egypt.org using the subject line “Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator ”. All applications should provide contact information for two professional/academic reference (referees will only be contacted after interviews).
Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.