Senior Legal Services Programme Coordinator

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 Legal Services Programme at Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) plays a crucial role in providing comprehensive legal support and assistance to refugees in Bangkok and Mae Sot, Tak. The primary responsibilities of this programme include:

• Ensuring refugees have access to justice and protection: The Legal Services Programme  works to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of refugees by facilitating their access to legal remedies and safeguards.
• Supporting refugees during the Legal Status processes, including, Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and National Screening Mechanism (NSM) processes: The program provides essential guidance and support to refugees navigating the complex RSD and NSM procedures, helping them navigate the system effectively.
• Informing refugees about the legal status process, including but not limited to RSD and NSM: The Legal Services Programme Team is responsible for educating refugees about the processes  and their rights and options within this framework.

The Legal Services Programme is overseen by the Senior Legal Services Programme Coordinator and includes the Bangkok team of Legal Status, Protection, Interpreter and Paralegal, Screening and Intake, and  Volunteer Legal Advocates; and the Mae Sot team of Protection.

Position Description

The Senior Legal Services Programme Coordinator leads AAT’s legal services programme, ensuring high-quality legal aid to refugees and asylum seekers with proper adherence to the organization’s protocols and procedures.  The role oversees the legal services team in Bangkok and in Mae Sot offices.  This role combines direct legal representation, program management, and capacity building to strengthen refugee rights protection in Thailand.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership  (70%)

Team Management

• Supervise Legal Status, Protection, Myanmar Response teams, and community volunteers in interpretation, paralegal and screen and intake teams.
• Lead recruitment, training, and professional development initiatives
• Provide technical supervision to Volunteer Legal Advocates
• Oversee interpreter and paralegal services

Legal Status Team

• Ensure the effective legal counseling and legal representation of refugee clients in a) UNHCR’s refugee status determination (RSD) process, b) the Thai Government Regulation on National Screening Mechanism (NSM) and c) any other emerging  legal status processes.
• Review legal briefs, country of origin research, and declarations
• Ensure quality control of legal screenings at first instance and appeal stages
• Supervise case documentation and database maintenance

Protection Team

• Implement protection strategies under Thai legislation
• Ensure alignment with international protection standards
• Monitor effectiveness of protection services
• Maintain compliance with Nairobi Code of Ethics and organizational policies
• Adapt implementation approaches based on emerging needs
• Drive strategic development through monitor legal and policy developments at local, national, and international levels, and update AAT Legal Services Strategies to optimize client outcomes

Interpretation/Paralegal/Community Volunteers

• Guide interpretation quality improvement
• Develop interpreter training programs
• Manage interpreter resource allocation
• Oversee paralegal project implementation
• Coordinate community legal empowerment initiatives with AAT Community Engagement Program Team

Strategic Litigation

• Keep track of legal status and protection litigation cases as evidence for future cases in similar situations, and for advocacy for legislation and policy changes

Myanmar Response

• Oversee the implementation of the legal services for new Myanmar refugees in Bangkok and in Mae Sot Office
• Ensure timely, effective and appropriate legal services while being quick to adjust to the emerging situation.  The legal services includes, but not limited to, Country of Origin Information development, information session, individual legal counseling, legal representation, referral for humanitarian assistance and durable solutions.

Quality Assurance

• Develop case assessment criteria and manage caseload distribution
• Ensure compliance with legal standards and organizational policies
• Monitor quality of Legal Services Program which include effective and quality services and database functionality and documentation quality

Financial and Program Management

• Manage program budget and expenditure
• Lead AAT Quarterly Impact Survey and Report
• Ensure achievement of donor deliverables
• Lead Legal Services Programe’s donor reporting

Strategic Development  (10%)

• Contribute to organizational  strategy development and annual plan
• Develop Legal Services Strategies aligned with organizational theory of change
• Report regularly on the scope, nature, quality and challenges of AAT’s legal services and community legal empowerment programs.
• Develop funding proposals and maintain donor relations

Relationship and Networking (10%)

• Build networks with CSOs, UN agencies, INGOs and government bodies
• Promote capacity strengthening among Thai lawyers and Pro Bono lawyers
• Represent AAT at external events

Advocacy (10%)

• Support policy advocacy initiatives led by the Executive Director  with government, diplomatic missions and networks

• Engage with UNHCR on refugee status determination processes

• Advocate for refugee protection with Thai government authorities

• Other work as assigned by supervisor

Reports to:  Executive Director

Required Expertise

• Advanced knowledge of refugee law and protection standards
• Experience in legal program management and team leadership
• Strong understanding of UNHCR procedures and Thai immigration policies
• Proven track record in advocacy and stakeholder engagement

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate degree in human rights law, public policy, public administration or other relevant degree;
• Thorough knowledge of the context of refugees in Thailand, including both national and international legal frameworks;
• Thorough comprehension and knowledge of RSD and NSM process
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend and develop creative responses to frequently changing political and legal environments;
• Experience in team management including staff and volunteers;
• Interest in creating and maintaining organizational stability through strong operational practices;
• Strong planning skills and the ability to manage many disparate priorities simultaneously;
• Awareness of the impact of gender, nationality, sexual orientation, legal status and other personal characteristics may have on access to rights and the ability to promote impartiality;
• Familiarity and comfort working with a multicultural and international environment;
• Professional fluency in English.

Work Experience

• A minimum 5-year of increasingly high-level experience in refugee response or related fields
• Experience in working with and provide legal support to vulnerable population
• Experience in  review/analysis of legal documents
• Experience in program management
• Experience in community legal empowerment

Preferred Qualifications

• Communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and persuasively with others
• Decision-making skills. Ability to assess different options and choose the best course of action, often daily.
• Leadership skills. Ability to coordinate policies, people, and resources.
• Management skills. Ability to shape and direct the operations of the organization. For example, manage program plans, team members, and budgets.
• Problem-solving skills. Ability to identify and resolve issues within the team. Recognize shortcomings and effectively carry out solutions.
• Time management skills. Ability to work with multi-tasks autonomously.  Ensure that   work gets done and meet the goals.

Salary and Benefits

The Senior Legal Services Programme Coordinator will receive a monthly payment in the range of THB 60,000- 80,000 per month.

Hours and Location of Work

The Senior Legal Services Programme Coordinator is a one-year fixed-term contract with possibility of extension subject to funding availability.  The position is based in the Bangkok office, Thailand, with occasional trips to Mae Sot Office as needed.  The working hour is 40 per week with flexibility required for off-hour calls and meetings with HQ, clients, and network partners.

Application Instructions to Candidates

Send your resume and a cover letter via Asylum Access online portal BambooHR by 31 December 2024. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred start date, expected salary and how you learned about the position.

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 LawLegal Program ManagementAdvocacyStakeholder EngagementTeam ManagementRefugee ResponseLegal SupportProgram ManagementCommunity Legal EmpowermentHuman Rights LawPublic PolicyPublic AdministrationUNHCR ProceduresThai Immigration Policies