VACANCY NOTICE Code: HCR/VAC/14/01 Functional Title: Senior - TopicsExpress

VACANCY NOTICE Code: HCR/VAC/14/01 Functional Title: Senior RSD Assistant Numbers of Positions: 16 Vacant Positions Duty Station: Cairo, Egypt Category and Level: N-ICA – G5 (UNOPS Individual Contract Agreement) Duration: 6 Months (with possibility of Extension) Date of Issue: 10 December 2014 Closing Date: 20 December 2014 1. ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT. The Arab Republic of Egypt ratified the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol in 1981, as well as the 1969 OAU Convention governing specific problems of refugees in Africa in 1980. Egypt, however, has not developed any domestic asylum procedures. The functional responsibilities for all aspects related to refugee status determination in Egypt are delegated to UNHCR, under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Government in 1954, which requests the office to support the Government by undertaking the following specific tasks: (a) To co-operate with the Government authorities in determining refugee status under the mandate of the High Commissioner; (b) To facilitate the voluntary repatriation of refugees; (c) To pursue, in co-operation with the Egyptian Government, the resettlement of refugees in third countries; (d) To provide, within the limits of the funds available to the Office, for the assistance of the most destitute refugees in Egypt; and (e) To co-ordinate the activities of refugee-assisting non-governmental organizations authorized by the Government. UNOPS in UNHCR Cairo are involved in all aspects of UNHCR Protection, including registration and refugee status determination for asylum seekers. Through their endeavors, UNOPS contribute to the provision of protection for persons of UNHCR’s concern in Egypt. 2. Duties and Responsibilities The Senior RSD Assistant is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. S/he is responsible for supporting all activities related to the processing of refugee claims in the Operation. The Senior RSD Assistant provides counseling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCRs 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 Assistant liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff. The Senior RSD Assistant is responsible for conducting COI and other research related to RSD and maintaining the Operations local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards. S/he assists in drafting RSD Assessments and compiling and analyzing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation, and in drafting related correspondence and reports. Senior RSD Assistant may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies. Conduct a minimum of 6 first instance refugee status determination interviews (RSD) per week in accordance with established norms and standards, and preparing accurate interview transcripts for each case. Senior RSD Assistant is responsible to: - Consistent with existing jurisprudence and agency policy, prepare a minimum of 6 reasoned recommendations per week on asylum applications under UNHCR’s mandate. - Manage individual cases within reasonable time-lines as determined by the supervisor - Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD. - Provide counseling 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 all work on individual cases. - 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 Operations local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards accessible to RSD staff in the operation. - Prepare recommendations with regards to legal and social obstacles faced by persons of concern identified during the RSD interview to RSD Team Leader. - Perform other duties or tasks as assigned by the RSD Team Leader. 3. Monitoring and Progress Controls Daily reception monitoring via establihsed reporting system Monthly preparation of the files required by the RSD Unit Weekly and monthly reporting on the hotline and inquirires received by the Unit Weekly processing of the negative decision letters Daily montiroing of the interpreters and monthly reporting on the interpreters workload/activites 4. Qualifications and Experience a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education) - Completed secondary education required - Bachelor degree in Law, International Law, Political Science, Social Science, or a related field is an asset. b. Work Experience - Minimum 4 years of experience out of which one year with experience in the filed of refugee status determination with specific knowledge of country conditions for asylum applications in Egypt. - Knowledge of relevant UNHCR policies and guidelines is desirable. - Fluency both in oral and written English and Arabic. C. Key Competencies Managing performance Judgement and decision making Technological Awareness Planning and Organizing Teamwork & Collaboration Accountability Communication -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applications are to be sent by e-mail to: [email protected] with the following attachments: 1. Motivation letter (indicating the special interest in this particular position) 2. A duly completed or updated personal history form (P.11) – can be found at link, or updated CV: (unhcr.org/recruit/p11new.doc). The form should clearly indicate in the relevant section the names, contacts and e-mail addresses of three references. For better practicality, electronically completed forms will be accepted while the actual signature of the form can take place upon interviewing as and when candidates are selected for a job. 3. Valid contact and reachable telephone number on all the forms. 4. The e-mail subject should contain the functional title and the vacancy code of the post. Applications missing any of the above elements, as applicable, will unfortunately not be considered. This position may be subject to a written test. Shortlisted candidates will be informed accordingly. Interviews are mandatory and mostly held after the written tests for successful candidates. Candidates are advised to review UNHCR website at unhcr.org before attending tests and interviews. ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED and only tested and interviewed candidates will receive regret letters if not selected. Note: Please read carefully the UNHCR Code of Conduct to this vacancy before applying as a pre-requisite for any engagement of work with UNHCR, you can find it at unhcr.org/422dbc89a.html APPLICATIONS SUBMITTE AFTER DEADLINE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------