Refugee Status Determination Officer in Kuala Lumpur

About Asylum Access

We are human rights advocates who support forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency and power. Our unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally and go to school. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that honours refugees’ freedom, dignity and autonomy, and equips them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organisations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organisations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between us and our clients. On the international stage, we work with established institutions to shift the global system to better uphold and promote refugees’ human rights. We can help catalyse and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, we focus exclusively on rights and governance.

Department Description

The AAM Legal Services team provides legal aid to refugee clients through individualised legal assistance, community outreach and advocacy initiatives. The team works to identify those with heightened vulnerabilities, assist individuals and communities in navigating the UNHCR process, as well as provide information on their rights and responsibilities under certain domestic laws and policies. Through its legal empowerment activities and advocacy tools, the team seeks to encourage systemic change and increase access to rights for forcibly displaced individuals and communities in Malaysia.

Position Description

The RSD Officer is a member of AAM’s Legal Services team. The RSD Officer will maintain their own caseload and provide individualised legal services to those undergoing the RSD process before UNHCR. They will engage in community legal education through group workshops. They will also assist in managing the RSD caseload and developing legal service strategies. The RSD Officer must have the ability to work in a diverse and multifunctional team to achieve common goals and results.

Key Responsibilities

1. Individualised legal assistance (85%)

• Conducting client intake and screening interviews, assessing needs, identifying vulnerabilities and referring cases to relevant service providers as necessary;
• Drafting legal briefs and/or declarations on behalf of clients undergoing RSD procedures before the UNHCR, while adhering to strict filing deadlines;
• Undertaking factual research on country of origin information (COI) and legal research on refugee law jurisprudence;
• Providing personalised legal advice on the RSD process and preparing clients for RSD interviews;
• Assisting in advocacy initiatives with the UNHCR and other relevant organisations;
• Communicating updates to clients on a timely basis;
• Maintaining records of interactions with clients and services provided;
• Other duties as assigned.

1. Community Legal Education (10%)

• Conducting workshops for refugee communities on the UNHCR process and RSD interviews;
• Developing and updating workshop materials in response to the changing protection environment and needs of communities;
• Ensuring accurate dissemination of information on the RSD process and protection issues through community messaging.

1. Case management, planning and general administrative duties (5%)

• Assisting the RSD Supervisor in coordinating the RSD caseload to ensure timely submission of relevant documents to UNHCR;
• Contributing to the design and implementation of strategies and best practices to ensure legal services are timely and effective;
• Assisting in client outreach strategy in coordination with the AAM team;
• Adhering to office protocols and procedures, including organisational database and case management;
• Where necessary, assisting with the general administrative duties of the AAM office.

Reports to: AAM RSD Supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

• A university degree in law (LL.B., LL.M. or J.D., where a focus in international law, refugee law or human rights law would be an asset). In the absence of a degree in law, candidates must possess strong working knowledge of refugee law and RSD procedures;
• Minimum of six (6) months demonstrated experience working in refugee or human rights law, which may include internship and volunteer experiences;
• Professional fluency in English (oral and written) and excellent communication skills is a must;
• Strong legal research, writing and analytical skills;
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to meet strict deadlines;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment;
• Ability to serve clients with the highest ethical standards;
• A positive personality and is able to work in and adapt to an ad-hoc environment;
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Workspace.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in providing direct legal services, particularly in refugee or human rights law;
• Demonstrated experience in engaging directly with vulnerable groups and marginalised communities, including survivors of trauma;
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement;
• Demonstrated experience working in a non-profit or legal aid setting;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the local context and protection needs of refugees in Malaysia;
• Demonstrated knowledge of one or more of the following languages: Malay, Burmese, Arabic, Urdu, Somali, Farsi.
• Female candidates and those with lived experience of displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation, Hours and Duration of Contract

This is a full-time consultancy-based temporary assignment, funded until 30 June 2025 only. The monthly compensation is MYR 4000.00.

Location

Preference would be given to candidates located in or able to relocate to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. However, remote working arrangements are possible. Please note that AAM is unable to facilitate visa applications for this position.

Start Date

As soon as possible.

Application Instructions

Send your resume and a cover letter via Asylum Access online portal BambooHR. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred start date and how you learned about this position. Incomplete applications will automatically be discarded. Shortlisted candidates will be required to undertake a written assignment as part of the recruitment process, along with an interview.

Written assignments and interviews are expected to be conducted between 21 October 2024 and 22 November 2024. This listing will remain open until the position is filled and may be closed early, if a suitable candidate is identified.

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_._

Keywords

Refugee LawRSD ProceduresLegal AssistanceCommunity OutreachAdvocacyCase ManagementAdministrative Duties