UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is offering an Associate RSD Officer position within Bossaso, UNHCR Somalia in our Protection Unit. The Associate RSD Officer will be conducting Refugee Status Determination case processing, include, where needed, appeals, and case review and capacity building training and activities.
UNHCR is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. Every year, millions of men, women, and children are forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and persecution. We are in over 125 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.
The Protection Unit in Field Office Bossaso, Puntland is headed by an Associate Protection Officer and provides operational support, policy guidance and advice throughout FO Bossaso Areas of Responsibility (Bossaso, Garowe and Gardo). In addition, the Unit maintains close cooperation with other Units in UNHCR Mogadishu and Sub Office Galkayo and works together with Executive Office and Programme Unit in design, review and implementation of projects, as well as participates in Protection Cluster meetings, representing UNHCR FO Bossaso position and strategy regarding protection of persons of concern (PoCs). The Associate RSD Officer is a member of the Protection Unit with specific responsibilities related to Refugee Status Determination procedures (RSD).
As of 01 March 2022, Somaliland hosts approximately 12,000 refugees and asylum seekers, primarily from Ethiopia, Yemen, and other nationalities. Access to asylum is generally respected in Puntland. Yemenis and Syrians in Puntland are accorded refugee status on prima facie basis while all other nationalities (Ethiopians) are required to undergo individual RSD. Puntland authorities recognize refugee status accorded by UNHCR, which conducts mandate RSD – First Instance and Appeals. There is a significant number of asylum seekers in Puntland that are pending mandate RSD and the existing operational staffing capacity to clear current backlog is extremely limited. This backlog has an impact on the resource allocation for the program given that asylum seekers constitute 50% of the population and most vulnerable asylum seekers receive cash assistance. As per the UNHCR Somalia 2020-2022 Multi-Year Multi Partner Protection and Solutions Strategy and 2020 RSD Backlog Reduction Strategy, those in need of RSD to achieve solutions and protection benefits will be prioritized for RSD processing based on clearly defined prioritization criteria.
We are seeking a dynamic and proactive team player, who will ensure that the above explained strategic approach is effectively implemented towards backlog reduction. The Associate RSD Officer will also provide operational, case processing and strategic support on mandate RSD in Puntland and provide advice and guidance on legal and procedural matters related to RSD in line with UNHCR’s RSD Procedural Standards (2020) and other relevant protection policies and guidelines. Under the supervision of the Associate Protection Officer based in Bossaso, s/he will work closely with the RSD Officer in Nairobi, senior managers, as well as staff responsible for registration, resettlement and training activities and will ensure that weekly RSD case targets are effectively tracked. S/he will also liaise with relevant focal points working at RO and Regional Bureau.
Under the direct supervision of Protection Officer and/or RSD Supervisor*,* the Incumbent will undertake the following tasks:
The ideal candidate will/have:
The successful candidate will be based with the team in Bossaso, Somalia.
The assignment is from June 2022 to December 2022 with possibility of further extension. It is a full-time role with working hours starting from 8.00am to 16.30pm Sunday to Thursday (40 hours per week).
To learn more and apply, please visit https://bit.ly/3qb80kG
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
*Closing date of applications: 28th March 2022*