RSD Associate

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship) Family UNOPS LICA6 2025-01-01 January 2, 2025 The UNHCR Office in Kuala Lumpur continues to conduct Refugee Status Determination (RSD) under its mandate in the absence of national asylum procedures. In line with the Office’s strategy to enhance protection and asylum space, as well as address the protection and solutions needs of forcibly displaced people, the case processing strategy for Registration, RSD and Durable Solutions is based on prioritization of asylum-seekers and refugees with specific needs, heightened protection needs and vulnerabilities. RSD is also used strategically to uphold the integrity of the asylum process. The RSD Unit also contributes to the Office’s objective to engage in ongoing dialogue with the Malaysian Government on a national asylum framework.

The RSD Unit relies on staff with the requisite experience and expertise to conduct interviews and assessments relating to eligibility for international protection. The RSD Associate will engage in a high volume of RSD casework in relation to a variety of case profiles and using a range of processing modalities and methodologies, to achieve challenging targets. Prior experience of asylum case processing, or equivalent relevant experience, is therefore desirable. In addition, competencies in communication, teamwork and collaboration, and the ability to work with colleagues of different backgrounds, are essential to ensure high standards of professionalism and service delivery to asylum-seekers and refugees.

Additional Information:

This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2025 with the possibility of extension.

The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.

Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme or as an intern is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

UNHCR does not sponsor work visa or work permit and applicant who is not Malaysian national should already have their status confirmed that they are able to secure a work visa at the time of the application.

Remuneration:

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between MYR 5,874 and MYR 7,441 depending on relevant experience. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, please visit the portal of the Office of HR Management of United Nations.

Standard Job Description

RSD Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The RSD Associate 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 RSD Associate 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 RSD Associate liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff. The RSD Associate 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 may also assist in drafting RSD Assessments. The RSD Associate assists in compiling and analysing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation, and in drafting related correspondence and reports. The RSD Associate may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies.

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 all 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.
- 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.

Required Languages

English

,

Malay

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Cross-cultural communication, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees, PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures, PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance, SO-Research, WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals

Education

Certifications

Community Development/Social Work - Other, HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No