ThaiNGO

Position:     Case Manager (work-from-home position based in Mueang Mae Sot)
Project:    Urban Refugee Project (URP)
Location:    Mae Sot, Thailand     
Reports to:    Project Director
Starting date:    1 August 2023
Contract duration:  1 year with possible extension depending upon funding availability.

 
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organization with a mission to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. The organization was founded in November 1980 and has a presence in over 50 countries. JRS undertakes services at national and regional levels with the support and guidance of an international office in Rome. The style of JRS service is human and spiritual, working in situations of greatest need, seeking the long-term wellbeing of refugees and displaced persons, while not neglecting their immediate or urgent needs. JRS offers opportunities to a wide variety of staff, local and international, while maintaining a realistic and localized scheme of salary/stipend, insurance, etc.

In Thailand, JRS manage programs spread throughout urban and rural areas, serving refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced persons. JRS Thailand has field offices in Bangkok and Mae Hong Son. The main areas of work include education, psycho-social services, livelihoods, emergency assistance and advocacy. For more information about JRS in Asia Pacific and Thailand, visit: http://www.jrsap.org 
 

Project Description:

Although half of the world’s refugees live in urban areas such as Bangkok, the vast majority of assistance is focused on refugees living in camps. Guided by Pedro Arrupe’s vision for JRS – to go where no one else is working and serve the most forgotten – JRS Thailand is dedicated to serving, accompanying and advocating for urban refugees and asylum seekers. Established in 1990, the Urban Refugee Program in Bangkok supports urban refugees and asylum seekers in Bangkok through emergency and casework assistance, psychosocial counseling, and community capacity building. In the last year, the number of people arriving in Bangkok and other provinces claiming asylum has increased dramatically. There are about 4,734 urban refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR in Bangkok (as of April 2023), of which 12% are asylum seekers and 78% are refugees. In addition, there are a large number of people awaiting registration at UNHCR. The majority of asylum seekers and refugees are from South East Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia), South Asia (Pakistan), the Middle East (Iran, Iraq), and Africa (Somali) and Myanmar. 
 

Role:
The Urban Refugee Project Case Manager (URP Case Manager) serves as frontline staff, responding to the needs and problems of urban refugees, asylum seekers, and unregistered refugees seeking asylum in Metropolitan Bangkok. The Case Manager conducts interviews and needs assessments, employing a holistic approach to identify vulnerable individuals in need of support services, including financial assistance, case management support, and psychosocial counseling. The Case Manager plays a critical role in the Urban Refugee Project as it adapts to meet the growing needs of urban refugees in Mae Sot. The Case Manager works to ensure that those approaching JRS for assistance receive timely and appropriate support. The Case Manager collaborates closely with the Project Director, as well as other JRS urban team members, including case workers, psychosocial counselors, and interpreter staff.

Responsibilities:

Case Management

• Conduct intake interviews and needs assessments. Based on specific criteria, identify and screen individual and family cases for the provision of intensive case management, financial assistance, and referral services.
• Provide intensive case management, offering comprehensive support to clients.
• Conduct home visits and accompany clients in negotiations with landlords to secure accommodation.
• Offer information and counseling to asylum seekers on living in Thailand.
• Prepare individual case and home visit reports using the JRS-URP intake/assessment forms and maintain updated case files and progress notes.
• Utilize and maintain a database for effective record keeping and data management.
• Refer emergency crisis situations to the JRS Psychosocial Counselor and/or Project Director for appropriate intervention.
• Collaborate with the Project Director to develop strategies, formulate action plans, and identify interventions to address individual or family case needs and problems.
• Work with the Project Director on case management and related aspects.
• Share information, knowledge, and experience in case management with other case workers.

Management of JRS at the Field Level

• Safeguard the vision, identity, and unity of JRS at the project level.
• Possess a thorough understanding of JRS policies and implement them at the project level.
• Implement relevant aspects of the project according to the approved proposal.
• Analyze the needs of refugees and suggest new initiatives to the Project Director.

Strengthening Partnerships and Networking

• Build relationships with asylum seekers, refugees, and local host communities to increase trust and understanding.
• Maintain strong working relationships with UNHCR, Thai authorities, international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), and church groups working on urban refugee issues.

Communication/Reporting

• Regularly communicate with the Project Director, reporting on all major issues and developments in the field.
• Submit monthly activity reports to the Project Director.
• Develop and complete project proposals and reports (6-month and annual) according to JRS format, as well as write other project/situation reports as required, in collaboration with the project team members.
• Utilize the database for accurate and timely reporting, data analysis, and information retrieval.
• Participate in regular team meetings.
• Maintain a supportive and professional relationship with clients, avoiding emotional involvement and focusing on empowerment.
• Carry out case work in accordance with the priorities set out in the project proposal and organizational policies.
• Adhere to JRS Personnel Policy and Standards for staff.
• Maintain positive communication with team members.
• Assist the Project Director as requested.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Fluent in Thai and English.
• Minimum Bachelor's degree in social work, social science, or a related professional field.
• At least 1 year of experience with NGOs, and experience in asylum seeker and refugee-related issues is advantageous.
• Experience in social work, case assessment, or case management is desirable.
• Strong decision-making skills, service-mindedness, patience, and self-motivation.
• Positive attitude towards vulnerable individuals such as refugees and asylum seekers.
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to think and act strategically in program design and conceptualize complex issues.
• Ability to analyze case information and design case assessment plans.
• Understanding of and empathy with asylum seeker and refugee problems.
• Ability to work successfully in a multicultural environment with limited resources and challenging conditions.
• Computer literacy, with proficiency in Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and related programs for social work.
• Strong data collection skills and proficiency in using JRS' data system.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with good communication, managerial, and diplomatic skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

This position offers a salary package with medical and accident group insurance, life insurance, and other benefits. Interested candidates must apply by sending a cover letter and CV (including 3 references) with a front picture, addressing how they satisfy the criteria described above.

Applications should be sent to the following email address: jrsthailandco@gmail.com. Early applications are encouraged, before July 17, 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.