The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation in Ghana invites well-qualified Ghanaian nationals to apply for the post of Assistant Refugee Status Determination {RSD) Officer, NOA in Accra, Ghana.

Duration of Consultancy: One Year Initially (There is a lien to the post)

The Assistant RSD Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Protection Officer. The responsibilities of the Assistant RSD Officer will include the following:

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability (key results that will be achieved)
UNHCR’s RSD procedures are implemented in accordance with relevant UNHCR standards and policies, including policies related to age, gender, and diversity rmainstreaming (AGDM).

Persons of concern have fair and transparent access to the RSD
procedures. Fraud in the RSD process is identified and appropriately addressed.

Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)

•   Stay abreast of Iegal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD.
•   Assist in the development of the RSD strategy of the operation and in the annual planning exercise.
•   Conduct RSD interviews and draft RSD Assessments in accordance with applicable standards and guidelines.
•   Review and endorse RSD decisions and provide appropriate feedback and guidance to RSD staff.
•   Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to alt work on individual cases.
•   Provide counselling to asylum seekers and refugees.
•   Assist in preventing and identifying fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR staff, partners and persons of concern.
•   Assist in monitoring RSD trends and in compiling and analysing RSD statistics related to RSD case processing to identify and respond to developments or issues impacting on the efficiency or quality of RSD decision-making, and to propose remedial measures.
•   Conduct research on country of origin information (CO) and legal issues related to RSD and assist in maintaining a local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards accessible to RSD staff in the operation.
•   Ensure that persons of concern. Government authorities and legal partners have accurate information on the RSD procedures, including UNHCR standards, policy and practice.
•   Assist in developing and maintaining processes to ensure that persons of concern, Government authorities and partners have accurate information on the RSD procedures, including UNHCR standards, policies and practice.
•   Assist in initiatives to advocate with and support Government authorities and legal partners to establish and strengthen fair and efficient RSD procedures and RSD decision-making.
•   Assist in evaluating and projecting RSD staffing needs using the RSD Staffing Benchmarks

Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)

•   Decide and endorse RSD decisions

Salary/Benefits: Attractive with other benefits including child dependency allowance, Medical Insurance and Pension etc

REQUIRED MANAGERIAL & CROSS FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE

•   Judgement and Decision Making
•   Analytical Thinking
•   Planning and Organizing

Qualification Required & Experience

•   University Degree in law, political science, international relations or another related field.
•   Minimum 2 years of relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law.
•   Knowledge of international Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
•   Strong research and analytical skills.
•   Excellent oral and written communication skills
•   Excellent knowledge of English and working knowledge of another UN language

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS& COMPETENCIES

•   Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD is highly desirable.
•   Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures.
•   Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees.
•   Experienced working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.
•   Completion of UNHCR’s RSD Learning Programme, COI Learning
•   Programme, or Protection Learning Programme.
•   Knowledge of another official UN language.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Please note that only candidates who meet the above requirements will be considered for interview. Ghanaian Nationals with the relevant qualifications and experience are invited to submit their applications in sealed envelopes quoting the vacancy notice number and the position number for which they are interested, addressed to:

The Representative
UNHCR, Private Mail Bag
KIA, Accra

Location of Office: 16 Labone Drive, 4th Dade Walk, North Labone, Accra

Closing Date: 30 May, 2014

WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY