MRN in collaboration with Asylum Access Thailand
Seeks Legal Advisor, based in Mae Sot, Thailand
Advancing Legal Rights Protection for New Refugees Project aims to contribute to, protect and expand the rights of new refugees in Thailand, especially those who fled because of exercising their basic rights and freedoms. To that end, the key interventions include providing legal assistance, training community members as paralegals and community representatives, and advocating for improved protections.
This project is a joint implementation with the MRN, and will require strengthening the coordination among, and ensuring the input of, MRN members throughout the lifespan of the project. The expertise shared by these members will underpin the development of strategy, outreach, and execution of this project. AAT will play a vital role in co-managing the legal services with HRDF and RRLP, and managing the administration process with the support of MRN members.
Position Description
Under the day to day guidance of the AAT Emergency Response Team Lead, the Legal Advisor will be responsible for providing legal assistance to the new refugee populations in the Mae Sot area of Thailand. The Legal Advisor acts as legal representative of clients when engaging with the justice system for the protection and expansion of the rights of new refugees. Key duties include researching the law and consulting with partners to provide clients with legal advice; enabling access to safety and basic needs coverage through advice, networking and referrals; and conducting group legal clinics in collaboration with and following training of community paralegals.
Key Responsibilities
Case Management and Legal Assistance (70%):
Under the regular guidance of AAT, HRDF and RRLP staff, and in consultation with other MRN members:
- Conduct intake and screening interviews for, and provide individualized legal advice and assistance to, refugee clients facing protection concerns and issues involving Thai law (depending on urgency of the matter, advice may need to be provided on a walk-in basis, as on-call legal advisor);
- Undertake research on country of origin information (COI) to determine refugee claim and assess credibility, and for general research purposes;
- Conduct group workshops for clients on long-term legal solutions, protection issues and Thai law;
- Provide full legal representation and short services for clients facing protection concerns and issues involving Thai law . This may include (but is not limited to):
- Preparing client and witness statements, including reviewing and providing feedback on client-drafted statements;
- Drafting legal case materials;
- Obtaining documents to support client cases such as witness statements, medical reports, etc.;
- Preparing clients for and accompanying clients to interviews;
- Following-up with external organizations on the status of client cases;
- Representing and visiting clients in Immigration Detention Centers; and
- Accompanying clients to the courts or police stations.
- Identify cases appropriate for special consideration by UNHCR and undertake inquiries to UNHCR;
- In the course of undertaking legal assistance, briefly identify clients’ extra-legal needs (e.g. education, financial assistance, housing, healthcare), and refer clients to external organizations working in these areas to ensure these needs are met;
- Undertake comprehensive case management practices, including maintaining database records and keeping detailed notes of all case work activities;
- Maintain good working knowledge of relevant guidelines, processes and procedures;
- Maintain good working knowledge of current political and social situation in Country of origin;
- Assist in developing and implementing team policies and procedures;
- Assist in developing and maintaining data collection and trends analysis;
- Attend and contribute to team meetings and other trainings and orientations as required; and
- Adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, and AAT Code of Conduct, policies, and manuals.
Relationship Building, Networking, Advocacy and Training Support (30%):
- Support the MRN in:
- Policy and advocacy efforts on issues affecting new refugees, via domestic networks and international human rights mechanisms;
- Developing and delivering training modules for community paralegals;
- Build and maintain strong relationships with staff and operational partners to ensure smooth running of operations;
- Build and maintain strong relationships with refugee communities in Mae Sot, and facilitate communication of accurate information so as to enable the fulfillment of refugee rights; and
- Other work as assigned by the supervisor.
Reports to: Refugees Response Team Lead
Minimum Qualifications
- Qualified lawyer in Thailand or a bachelor’s degree in law or closed related subject in Thailand;
- Understanding of and/or experience working in Thai domestic law (e.g. criminal, employment, and immigration including arrest, detention and bail);
- Client interview, analysis, drafting and advocacy skills, or desire to develop in these areas quickly;
- Written and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to take initiative and ownership of cases and projects, proactively follow up, manage multiple deadlines, and work effectively with a high attention to detail;
- Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Gmail, Google Drive and related tools (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, etc.); and
- Ability to fluently speak and write in Thai (as the position will require liaising with Thai entities).
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of/experience in:
- Addressing protection concerns in Thailand;
- Assisting vulnerable non-nationals access social services and supports in Thailand;
- Community paralegal programs and community protection mechanisms;
- Working with individuals in vulnerable situations (such as survivors of crime, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), torture, trafficking, trauma, and/or those facing food insecurity, homelessness, lack of medical care and/or lack of safe and dignified employment);
- Working with interpreters and ensuring related professional and ethical standards are met;
- Reporting on projects financed by international donors and fulfilling project requirements;
- Building relationships and partnerships with external parties;
- Ability to communicate in English or Burmese (as English is the working language of AAT)
Salary and Benefits
The Legal Advisor will receive a monthly payment of THB 25,000 per month, health insurance and vacation and other leave days.
Hours and Location of Work
The Legal Advisor is a full-time, 1 (one) year contract position based in Mae Sot, Thailand. Candidates should be aware that some flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to complete duties outside of standard office hours.
Application Instructions to Candidates
Upload your resume and a cover letter via Asylum Access online portal BambooHR. Apply here
In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred start date, expected salary and how you learned about the position.
Deadline of application: until the position is filled.
Only shortlist candidate will be contacted
Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value the expertise of those who have experienced displacement, and encourage people with such lived experience to apply. For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org_
Contact :
thailand@asylumaccess.org
เจ้าหน้าที่ประจำสำนักงาน / Officerเจ้าหน้าที่ภาคสนาม / Field officerนักกฎหมาย / Lawyer
