Country: Thailand
Closing date: 01 Jun 2019
Position Description
Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) seeks applications from well-prepared candidates with strong writing skills and a passion for social justice who are ready to commit themselves to spending six months to a year as a Volunteer Legal Advocates based out of Bangkok, Thailand.
Volunteer Legal Advocates (VLAs) will be placed in either the Protection Team or the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Team. The Protection Team provides clients with protection counselling services on issues including Thai law, arrest, SGBV, domestic violence and child protection. The RSD Team represents clients in the RSD process before the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
The VLA will provide legal counsel, advice and advocacy on behalf of refugees seeking asylum or the assertion of other legal rights. Following an intensive training program in international refugee law, VLAs will be given the opportunity to practice before local offices of UNHCR.
Key Responsibilities
· Duties may include but are not limited to:
· Conduct client intake and screening interviews, assess needs, and refer to other service providers as needed
· Provides clients with protection counselling services, both at the AAT office as well as to clients detained in the Immigration Detention Centre
· Advise refugees on the RSD process and assist them in understanding their rights
· Interview refugees and submit written briefs on behalf of those undergoing individual RSD before UNHCR
· Maintain a high caseload in a fast paced, demanding environment while adhering to strict filing deadlines
· Conduct research on “country of origin” situations and refugee law jurisprudence
· Develop material for workshops and legal clinics for refugees, work with translators to adapt materials, and teach and/or participate in the workshops and legal clinics
· Occasionally, represent AAT at events, conferences and meetings, and/or assist in other publicity and/or fundraising efforts
· Assist with the general administrative duties of the office, including helping to build administrative capacity within the office to meet demand as AAT grows
How to apply:
Application Instructions to Candidates
Send your resume, cover letter and a concise writing sample to apply@asylumaccess.org with the subject line “VLA AAT” by April 15, 2019. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred start date, preferred work area (Protection Team or RSD Team) and how you learned about the position.
Note: VLA position for the Protection Team is expected to be filled by April 2019. VLA position for the RSD Team is expected to be filled by June 2019.