Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA7
Target Start Date2025-07-01
Deadline for ApplicationsJuly 6, 2025
Terms of ReferenceIn view of the development of the national asylum framework and the transition, the Senior RSD Associate is a crucial member of the RSD Unit as part of a backlog cleanup surge projectโto ensure the access to asylum is maintained and enhanced during the transition, and to handover to the GoE an asylum system with minimal backlog, which is sustainable from the outset. As a senior member of the RSD unit, the Senior RSD Associateโs responsibilities mainly include case reviews, providing day-to-day technical guidance and coaching to Eligibility Officers at different levels, and ensuring the periodical RSD targets are met. They may also involve in tasks related to reception, registration, RSD case management coordination, file management, counseling/CWC activities, interpretation/translation for which they have the required language competencies. Further, the Senior RSD Associate may liaise with the GoE and other partners about issues related to the UNCHR RSD procedure, guidelines and standards. They may facilitate trainings for staff members and external audiences including government counterparts on RSD related topics, and provide technical advice to strengthen national asylum procedures. As required, they may serve in further roles of overseeing case processing modalities or nationalities as delegated. As required on an exceptional basis, they may serve as Eligibility Officer for complex or sensitive cases. In general, s/he will be expected to report daily to the RSD premises in 6 October City, Giza Governorate. On a needs basis, s/he may be expected to report to other office premises.
The desired candidate is expected to have the following essential competencies: professional oral and written English and Arabic communication skills; in-depth knowledge and experience in mandate RSD processing including difference processing modalities to coach eligibility officers at different levels; recent experience in team management and demonstrated experience to enhance workplace harmony; solid experience with proGres V4 post migration to cloud. Demonstrated capacity development skills is a plus.
Standard Job Description
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.
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.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
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 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.
Required Languages
,
,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
SkillsPR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees, PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance, SO-Research
Education
CertificationsCommunity Development/Social Work - Other, HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR, Law - Other
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
RemoteNo