RSD Supervisor

Innovative Human Rights NGO Seeks RSD Supervisor

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 honors 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 organizations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations 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 catalyze 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 individualized legal assistance, community outreach, and advocacy initiatives. The team works to identify refugees with heightened vulnerabilities, assist individuals and communities in navigating the UNHCR process (including through legal representation), as well as provide information on their rights and responsibilities under certain domestic laws and policies in Malaysia. Through its legal empowerment activities and advocacy tools, the team aims to encourage systemic change and increase access to rights and protection for refugees in Malaysia.

Position Description

The RSD Supervisor is a member of AAM’s Legal Services team and reports to AAM’s Legal Services and Solutions Manager (LSSM). The incumbent will aidthe LSSM in managing and implementing the core activities of the team, and assist where necessary in ensuring the team’s objectives are met. This position entails supervisory responsibilities, whereby the incumbent will oversee the day-to-day management of the team’s RSD caseload and the supervision of RSD caseworkers. In consultation with the LSSM, the incumbent will also contribute to the strategic direction of the legal services program. The incumbent must have the ability to work in a diverse and multifunctional team to achieve shared goals and results.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinating the RSD work of the Legal Services team and ensuring the timely submission of legal briefs and other relevant documents for individual cases undergoing the RSD process before the UNHCR;

• Coordinating and/or conducting client intake and screening interviews, assessing needs, and making decisions on the representation of clients requesting assistance in the RSD process;

• Undertaking country of origin (COI) and other relevant research for the assessment of claims, maintaining a good working knowledge of UNHCR policies and procedures, and maintaining a repository of legal materials to assistt RSD work;

• Reviewing RSD assessments, legal briefs, declarations and other submissions of the Legal Services team and providing legal and procedural guidance if required. Where necessary, drafting RSD submissions on behalf of clients, particularly for complex claims;

• Conducting workshops, information sessions, legal clinics and/or other outreach activities for refugee communities on the RSD and UNHCR process, and developing other workshops and materials in response to the legal needs of the communities;

• Ensuring the accurate dissemination of information to refugees and asylum-seekers on applications for refugee status with the UNHCR;

• Ensuring the legal services program’s proper adherence to office protocols and procedures, including the organizational database and case maintenance and client screening;

• Contributing to the design and implementation of strategies and best practices to ensure the effective legal representation of clients in the RSD process;

• Helping the LSSM in the development of the Legal Services team, which include but is not limited to, recruitment, training and supervision of legal services staff, volunteers and interns where required;

• Aiding the LSSM in advocacy initiatives with the UNHCR and other relevant bodies;

• Supporting the LSSM in monitoring and evaluation and reporting obligations;

• Other relevant duties as assigned.

Reports to: Legal Services and Solutions Manager

Minimum Qualifications

• University degree, preferably in Law (LL.B or LL.M, where a focus in International Law, International Refugee Law or International Human Rights Law would be an asset) OR a strong working knowledge of refugee law and RSD procedures;
• A minimum of two (2) years’ experience working directly with refugee law and RSD procedures and principles, with the ability to apply the relevant legal principles and draft legal arguments;
• Professional fluency in English (oral and written) and excellent communication skills is a must;
• Strong legal research, legal drafting and analytical skills;
• Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to stick to strict deadlines and have good time management;
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively both individually and in a team;
• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Drive and related tools

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 marginalized communities, including survivors of trauma;
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement and conducting trainings;
• Demonstrated experience working in a non-profit or legal aid setting with limited resources;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the local context and protection needs of refugees in Malaysia;
• Demonstrated knowledge of other languages (Malay, Burmese, Arabic, Urdu, Somali, Persian).

Salary and Benefits

The position comes with a competitive nonprofit salary, and a robust benefits package including paid time off and professional development funds.

Hours and Location of Work

This is a full-time position based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Start Date:  November 2022

Application Instructions

Please upload your resume and  cover letter In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, available start date and how you learned about this position. The final deadline for applications is on October 22, 2022.

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.