RSD Associate At UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Operational Context:

The RSD Associate will be based in the Field Office Zarzis (Tunisia) and will provide support in the area of refugee status determination (RSD), she/he will be supervised directly by the Associate RSD Officer and the Head of Field Office.

In line with the overall protection strategy for the Tunisia operation, objectives for the incumbent will be guided and approved by the Senior Protection Officer, BO Tunisia. Monthly planning schedules will be made based on the operational direction and priorities.

For the South, all activities are to be coordinated with both the Head of Field Office and the Associate RSD Officer (Zarzis / Tunis).

Functional Statement:

The RSD Associate is a member of the Protection Unit and the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. Under the direct supervision of the Associate RSD Officer, she/he will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

– Conduct 4 RSD interviews and submit the correspondent assessments weekly.

– Conduct 6 second instance RSD cases per week (RSD Interview and RSD Assessment completed)

– Provide counselling to asylum seekers and refugees on UNHCR’s RSD procedures and on their status, rights and obligations in the country of asylum.

– Draft letters of notification to be handed over to the applicants, informing them on the decision of their RSD processing.

– Finalize internal referral forms for Resettlement for vulnerable cases qualifying for durable solutions

– Maintai accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual RSD cases. – Update the progress V4 following the RSD activities. – Print out all documents relevant to each case and update the physical file. – Support in reviewing cases when requested. – Support in delivering decision notification.

– Update tracking sheet timely.

– Systematically apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective in the performance of assigned functions.

– Conduct research on the 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.

– 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 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.

– Provide technical support, including guidance and assistance with complex cases and draft specific guidance notes and SOPs as required

– Provide support and guidance as needed, in relation to case identification, preparation, related BIA/BID procedures, refugee counselling, and advocacy

– Ensure UNHCR’s RSD procedures are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies, including policies related to age, gender, and diversity mainstreaming (AGDM);

– Provide weekly updates and monthly reports, in addition of providing different reports when requested.

– Assist in monitoring RSD trends and compiling and analysing RSD statistics related to RSD case processing.

– Ensure Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to the RSD procedures;

– Ensure Persons of concern are treated with dignity, respect and professionalism.

– Provide Regular reporting on activities and tracking of progress on cases is developed

Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:

Key Competencies

• Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client oriented.
• Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations.
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;

desirable Qualifications & Competencies:

• 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 counseling asylum seekers or refugees.
• Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.
• Completion of UNHCR’s RSD Learning Programme, COI Learning Programme, or Protection Learning Programme.
• Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures.

Eligibility:

Applicants for this vacancy should be Tunisian candidate or international candidate who is legally present in Tunisia.