Title: Associate RSD Officer
Duty station: Home-Based
Section/Unit: Asylum Systems and Determination Section, DIPS
ICA Level: IICA-1
Corresponding level: P-2
Duration: from 01/03/2026 to 31/12/2026
1. General Background
In recent years, asylum systems have been under strain, as they have not been able to effectively respond to the rising number of refugees fleeing war, violence, and persecution, as well as the misuse of the asylum system in situations involving mixed movements of migrants and refugees. These challenges – together with limited investments and lack of strategic approaches to strengthening national asylum systems – have contributed to backlogs in asylum systems, strained resources and contributed to fuel negative narratives on a broken asylum system. The global backlog of pending asylum claims stands at over 8.4 million.
Despite the pressures, national asylum systems remain central ensuring that refugees can access lifesaving protection, services and solutions. UNHCR supports States to uphold the right to seek and enjoy asylum through fair, efficient, and accessible procedures. UNHCR issued the Strategic Approach to Strengthening National Asylum Systems in October 2025 which calls for a shift in approach on asylum capacity development from humanitarian-driven support to a comprehensive, nationally-owned model that is rooted in sustainable institutional development.
To operationalize the strategic approach, UNHCR has committed to undertake several enabling actions to support States and other stakeholders. UNHCR will prioritize multi-stakeholder advocacy and coordinated action at global, regional, and local levels. It will leverage its leadership role to engage current and new stakeholders to influence political will to strengthen national asylum systems, improve procedural safeguards, and enhance public perceptions of asylum-seekers. At a global level UNHCR will step up its efforts to leverage the ACSG and expand engagement with regional organizations and platforms. UNHCR will also reinforce the connection between asylum systems and development actors to open opportunities for technical support, and funding. UNHCR Headquarters will be called on to provide expert guidance and support to regional bureaus and operation to implement these enabling actions and ensure reporting for global projects.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the supervision of the Senior RSD Officer in DIPS, the Associate RSD Officer will work in the Asylum Capacity Development unit of the Asylum Systems and Determination Section in close coordination with the ASD Section’s geographic and thematic focal points. The Associate RSD Officer will have the following responsibilities:
• Support the drafting of fundraising proposals on asylum capacity strengthening.
• Draft narrative and financial reports and required revisions on contributions in compliance with donor requirements, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with established policies and guidelines.
• Draft and assist in the coordination of the drafting of reports, concept notes, briefing notes, background material, talking points and articles, including relating to asylum capacity development, technical refugee status determination (RSD) topics and the Asylum Capacity Support Group.
• Maintain and manage consultative processes with operations, regional bureaus and stakeholders on regional and global asylum capacity strengthening efforts.
• Act as content manager for the ACSG Portal, including compiling online submissions, good practice and tool repository and specific subpages like the Dialogue Platform and Events page.
• Support specialized training on asylum capacity development and developing processes with competent host authorities and partners aiming at developing national institutional capacities.
• Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments relevant to RSD, the protection environment and the route-based approach, including developments in relation to national asylum/RSD systems.
• Perform other related duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The consultant is expected to participate in the weekly ASD team meeting to provide regular updates to ASD team members and other relevant colleagues, including senior management, on progress made. The consultant is expected to develop a workplan of activities for 2026.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
Degree in social science, information management, International Refugee Law, International Human Rights Law, International Humanitarian Law, International Criminal Law, Social Sciences or other related field. Desirable Certificates: UNHCR RSD Learning Programme; Management Learning Programme; Asylum Capacity Development learning pathway.
b. Work Experience
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
• Excellent research, analytical and drafting skills;
• Experience in managing technological solutions for web platforms;
• Experience in coordinating and managing multiple stakeholders;
• Experience with the policy and principles relevant to refugee status determination; Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government status determination procedures; Experience in providing legal representation to asylum seekers in UNHCR or Government status determination procedures are highly desirable.
c. Key Competencies
• Fluency and excellent drafting skills in English are essential; working knowledge of other UN languages, especially French and Spanish is highly desirable;
• Excellent computer skills, in particular in MS Office 365 applications, web design, surveys and database management;
• Experience specifically with powerbi and kobo toolbox desirable;
• Experience in programme/project development, planning, implementation, and/or monitoring;
• Knowledge of development projects and capacity development methodologies desirable;
• Knowledge of the policy and principles relevant to refugee status determination desirable.
Managerial competencies
• Empowering and building trust
• Judgment and decision-making
• Strategic planning and vision
• Managing resources
Functional competencies
• Protecting refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR
• information management
• Database Design & Development;
• Liaising with other functions
• Promoting refugee law/protection principles
• Open-Source Software & Data
Cross functional competencies
• Analytical thinking
• Innovation and creativity
• Planning and organizing
• Change capability and adaptability
• Technological awareness
• Client orientation
Location and Conditions
This is a full-time assignment and the successful candidate will be homebased.
Shortlisted candidates might be required to sit for a written test. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. No late applications will be accepted.
The remuneration level and the applicable entitlements and benefits may differ based on the residence of the most suitable selected candidate.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
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.
How to apply
Apply here