Country: Thailand
Closing date: 16 Apr 2018
Refugee Case Manager
Refugee Case Manager Needed for Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) RE-ADVERTISED
Asylum Access is an innovative non-profit founded to make refugee rights a reality in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Asylum Access envisions a world in which refugees live safely, move freely, attend school, work and rebuild their lives. Asylum Access believes that when refugees enjoy their human rights they can access effective, lasting solutions.
We build transformative rights-based approaches to refugee response. These rights-based approaches include policy advocacy, strategic litigation, legal services, and community legal empowerment programs. We deploy these approaches in our five countries of operation: Thailand, Malaysia, Tanzania, Ecuador and Mexico.
Position Description
Asylum Access seeks a motivated and passionate legal advocate for the position of Refugee Case Manager based in Bangkok, Thailand.
Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) has been at the forefront of the provision of legal services and community legal empowerment to urban refugees in Thailand since its launch in 2007. The Refugee Case Manager is a part of AAT’s senior leadership team. He/she will supervise at least 3 full time staff and around 5 volunteers. The Refugee Case Manager will work closely with country staff and in collaboration with HQ and other Asylum Access Offices on many key programs and particular with regard to legal service strategy. He/she will also play the lead role in AAT’s legal aid program to support refugees through UNHCR’s Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process.
Key Responsibilities and tasks:
The Refugee Case Manager will be responsible for the management of AAT’s Legal Aid Program, and provide expertise in international human rights and refugee law, including direct legal services and advocacy. The Manager will build relationships and adapt legal strategies to fit new and/or challenging circumstances.
Duties may include but are not limited to:
Developing and implementing strategies and best practices in legal services to ensure the effective legal representation of refugee clients in UNHCR’s refugee status determination (RSD) process;
Reviewing all legal briefs, country of origin information research, declarations and other submissions to the UNHCR;
Overseeing the legal services program’s proper adherence to office protocols and procedures, including organizational database and case maintenance, and client screening.
Playing the lead role, in cooperation with other relevant staff, in recruiting, training, and supervision of legal services staff and volunteers.
Where appropriate, identifying and developing unique and innovative legal tactics to assist clients with other legal needs, including assistance to assert rights to movement, work, security, humanitarian aid, education, and social services.
Keep apprised of local, national, and international legal and policy developments and inform and train staff with relevant information.
Develop assessment criteria to prioritize the caseload and oversee mechanisms for managing the caseload of the team while adapting to new/challenging circumstances.
Provide legal counselling and assistance to urban asylum seekers and refugees, when necessary, for RSD applications with the UNHCR as well as with their resettlement.
Ensure accurate and timely recording of client and casework data for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation, swiftly identify database needs or challenges.
Reporting regularly to the Country Director and Headquarters on the scope, nature, quality and challenges of AAT’s legal services and community empowerment programs.
Advocate, particularly with UNHCR on RSD/RST and protection issues relating to urban asylum seekers and refugees.
Promote networking and capacity building among Thai lawyers and Pro Bono lawyers in representing urban asylum seekers before UNHCR or Thai courts and provide relevant trainings/ briefings/community presentations, where possible.
Serving as a liaison with the UNHCR as well as with other international and non-governmental organizations providing assistance to urban asylum seekers and refugees on all matters relating to their claim.
Develop team annual budget and monthly forecast, monitor the team spending and ensure cost effectiveness.
Conduct strategic planning in conjunction with the Legal Team and Leadership Team for revisions to the Legal Aid Program.
Ensure all case files, records of services rendered and outcomes are input accurately by quarterly reporting deadline to ensure the timely completion of necessary reports measuring deliverable outcomes needed for funder reporting.
Develop methods of, and conduct, M&E on various parts of the Legal Aid Program.
Meet with and report to donors quarterly or as required.
Develop, write and/or review grant or funding proposals.
Reporting:
The Refugee Case Manager will report directly to the AAT Country Director for all work responsibilities and professional development.
Qualifications Required:
University degree in Law (LL.B., LL.M., J.D., etc), preferably in International Law, Human Rights Law or Humanitarian Law.
Experienced lawyer or legal advocate with at least 5 years of experience, with at least 2 years of that experience in human rights issues, in particular refugee rights.
Intimate understanding of International Refugee Law, including the 1951 Convention and its interpretations.
Experience providing services directly to clients and working with vulnerable populations.
Experience supervising legal staff or volunteers; comfortable working with and supervising people of different backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to work full-time, in a deadline driven, high-stress environment.
Ability to understand and develop creative responses to a rapidly changing political situation, especially Thailand legal and political systems.
Excellent spoken and written English.
Enthusiastic about the mission, vision, and approach of Asylum Access.
Preferred:
Familiarity with the UNHCR and its processes.
Experience advising and representing refugees in the RSD process and/or access to rights assistance.
Experience working in diverse cross-cultural environments.
Experience working in Thailand is an advantage
Experience providing direct legal aid is desirable.
Management experience, including experience managing a tight budget.
Salary and benefits:
Asylum Access Thailand offers a salary package that is locally competitive and commensurate with the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications. The incumbent will also receive health insurance. If the selected candidate is an international hire, Asylum Access Thailand will sponsor a foreign candidate’s work visa and work permit. Unfortunately, at this time Asylum Access Thailand is unable to offer relocation and living stipends for international placements.
Asylum Access takes protection & safeguarding extremely seriously. Employment is subject to our Child & Vulnerable Adult protection standards including where possible, background checks. Adherence to our Safeguarding Policy is mandatory for all staff, volunteers, and interns.
Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer
How to apply:
How to apply:
Interested candidates should send their Resume and cover letter to apply@asylumaccess.org with “Refugee Case Manager - Thailand” in the subject line.
Applications close on 16 April 2018. The successful candidate will be expected to start on or before 1 July 2018. Applicants who have already applied will be considered with the other applications on 16 April 2018.