ThaiNGO

Asylum Access Thailand – Legal Officer

Salary: 35,000 – 45,000 THB/Month

June 2015

Asylum Access is an innovative nonprofit founded to make refugee rights a reality in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We help refugees assert their fundamental rights using four integrated tools: individualized legal counsel and/or representation, community legal empowerment, policy advocacy and strategic litigation. With offices in Ecuador, Panama, Thailand, Tanzania and Malaysia, we provide direct legal assistance reaching over 10,000 refugees per year.

The role of the Legal Officer will be as follows:

- The Legal Officer is responsible for representing individual RSD cases before the UNHCR in Bangkok at the first instance, appeal and reopening stages. The Legal Officer is expected to work full-time (35 hours per week).

- Involvement in the development of Legal Services to reach a larger population including participation in the mobile law clinic to reach vulnerable clients within the community.

- Assisting in the development of AAT Practice Manual and assisting the Legal Services Coordinator in improvement of Case Management Systems

- Attendance at relevant meetings of local working groups involved in refugee and migrant issues

Requirements

- Ability to speak, read and write fluent English and Thai

- A university degree in law is preferred, but other Master's degrees or equivalent experience in a related field are also acceptable.

- A background in law or experience working in human rights and/or with refugees and asylum seekers.

- Ability to prepare high-quality statements and assist in the preparation of legal arguments to be submitted to UNHCR.

 - Ability to organize, multi-task and prioritize workload in order to adequately meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment while working with limited resources.

- A positive attitude and sensitive manner when dealing with clients, including interviewing skills for dealing with challenging scenarios.

- Knowledge of UNHCR RSD procedures preferred.

 
Responsibilities

- Screen and prioritize clients for refugee status claim

- Provide legal advice to clients on UNHCR Procedure and RSD

- Provide full legal representation where appropriate at first instance, appeal, closed file, cancellation and cessation stages.

- Functions related to representation of RSD cases include (but are not limited to) the following:

- Preparation of written statements

- Assisting in drafting of legal arguments/submissions

- Obtaining documents to support client cases such as witness statements, medical reports etc.

- Preparation of clients for RSD interviews at UNHCR

- Follow-up on the status of client cases with the UNHCR

- Undertake country of origin research to support individual claims as well as for general organizational research purposes; maintain knowledge of current political and social situations in the countries of origin of AAT’s clients.

- Maintain knowledge of UNHCR guidelines, processes and procedures.

- Assess clients’ needs for referral to psychosocial or other services to other organizations.

- Undertake comprehensive case management practices, including maintaining database records and keeping detailed notes of all case work activities.

- Provide advice and mentoring to members of the team as required.

- Attend and contribute to weekly staff and RSD team meetings.

- Follow AAT code of conduct, policies, and manuals.

- Assist Legal Services Coordinator in development and implementation of team policy and procedure and participate in strategic planning as required.

- Actively participate in the development, implementation and supervision of AAT’s advocacy strategy.

- Coordinate research projects on specific issues as and when required.

- Communicate with UNHCR as and when required by the Legal Services Coordinator.

To apply:

Candidate interested in the Legal Officer position should submit the following:

- Resume

- Cover letter

Please send all materials to Nikki d’Assis, Operations Manager at Asylum Access  at apply@asylumaccess.org. Please put “Legal Officer for Asylum Access Thailand” in the subject line.  Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

(Training will be provided on Asylum Access Thailand policies, procedures, and legal standards (i.e. Nairobi Code).)

Compensation and benefits:

Competitive local non-profit salary

Access to local health insurance

Thai public holidays and additional 15 days holiday per year. On rare occasions may need to work on a weekend day in urgent situations. As a rule Monday to Friday full time working hours.