Opening: Legal Services VLA
Asylum Access is an innovative non-profit 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, Mexico, Thailand, Tanzania and Malaysia, we provide direct legal assistance reaching over 10,000 refugees per year.
Asylum Access Thailand is looking for Volunteer Legal Advisors to assist the Legal Team at Asylum Access in providing RSD training and legal services to asylum seekers and refugees seeking international protection under UNHCR’s mandate.
Duration: 1 year contract
Key responsibilities
o Train clients in UNHCR practices and processes and in refugee law.
o Provide direct legal services to clients through AAT’s legal aid clinic and full representation under the supervision of the RSD Team Leader.
o Assist clients with protection issues in Bangkok under the supervision of the Protection Team Leader.
o Conduct all administrative tasks in relation to the above.
o Work with interpreters and organize trainings.
o Attend meetings and assist supervisors with any extraneous tasks.
Qualifications:
o University degree in law.
o Experience in the development field, especially in human rights, or immigration law. Experience in refugee law is an advantage.
o Demonstrated ability to work with people in vulnerable situations, such as trauma survivors.
o A positive and outgoing attitude with the ability to work well in a diverse and multicultural office.
Package:
o Training in international refugee and human rights law.
o Work experience in a fast paced legal environment, with increasing responsibilities.
o Free English classes for non-native English speakers.
o Small stipend to cover travel to and from the office.
o Written reference plus certificate of completion.
o Research experience on country of origin information and human rights principles.
o Experience in group facilitation and training clients.
o Improved fluency in English working in an English speaking environment.
o Cross-cultural communication skills, and experience working with interpreters.
o Asylum Access Alumni opportunities to obtain paid work in the field of refugee law or human rights.
Note: The position is based in Bangkok.
To apply:
Please send a cover letter, a resume and an academic example of written English to Khemtida Petchtam at khemtida.petchtam@asylumaccess.org with the subject line “AAT VLA Application”. Please be sure to specify in your cover letter as to what makes you uniquely qualified to be a legal VLA with AAT, how volunteering with us fits into your career plans, and the date that you expect to be available. The closing date for applications is Friday 14th October however we may appoint before this date.
Please note that all Asylum Access VLA positions will receive a travel stipend; we are happy to work with successful applicants to arrange for funding or school credit where available. The non-Thai VLA will be responsible for expenses incurred relating to obtaining their visa and work permit.
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