UNDP Jobs - 18963- Protection Refugee Status Determination Assistant,

Protection Refugee Status Determination Assistant, National UNV volunteer (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)

Location :

Kyiv, UKRAINE

Type of Contract :

UNV

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2010

Application Deadline :

14-Sep-10 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

UNV

Duration of Initial Contract :

Initially 3 months with extension

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long-established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UNV volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.
In all assignments, UNV volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UNV volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

Project Title: Protection monitoring activities and support to the asylum systems in the sub-region of Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.

Brief Project Description: UNHCR seeks to strengthen national asylum systems and safeguard asylum in the broader migration context through dynamic partnerships with the European Union, national governments and NGOs.

Organizational Context: The National UNV volunteers will work under the supervision of the National Legal Officer.

Duties and Responsibilities

Assists in the design and implementation of UNHCR Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures through NGO partners in Kyiv and in other regions of Ukraine;
Monitors, organizes and disseminates to NGO and government partners relevant information from countries producing refugees to facilitate UNHCR RSD;
Conducts basic UNHCR RSD interviews with asylum seekers, and presents results and recommendations to supervisor:
Assists in informing and counselling asylum seekers and refugees on the results of UNHCR RSD decisions;
Supports in furnishing asylum seekers with UNHCR identity documents;
Drafts relevant reports and maintain individual case and general filing regarding UNHCR RSD;
Prepares and participates in co-ordination, information and training activities related to Refugee StatusDetermination standards and Law for NGO and government partners;
Assists in communications with the government and NGOs in Ukraine as well as relevant UNHCR offices abroad, promoting due process for Refugee Status Determination;
Assists the general functioning of the UNHCR Protection unit by providing further reception, secretarial, administrative and interpretation/translation support as required;
Performs other duties as required by supervisor.

Furthermore, UNV volunteers are encouraged to:

Strengthening their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and taking active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
Getting acquainted with and building on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
Reflecting on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
Contributing articles/write-ups on field experiences and submitting them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
Assisting with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UNV volunteers;
Promoting or advising local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encouraging relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Output:

RSD activities are well coordinated, inputs from the all partners considered and activities are implemented;
Support to the Protection Unit is provided as requested;
Correspondence is maintained and letters replied in an agreed timeframe;
A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development within your host community.

Competencies

At least 25 years of age;
Computer literacy with good knowledge of computer application.

Required Skills and Experience

University degree preferably in Law or political sciences;
2-3 years of relevant work experience;
Excellent spoken and written skills in English; Fluency in Russian and Ukrainian.

Living Conditions:
Kiev is a family duty station and has no security phase. Ukraine is stable and safe with reasonable health and education facilities and good transport infrastructure.

Conditions of Service:
A 3-months contract with possible extension; monthly volunteer living allowance (VLA) intended to cover housing, basic needs and utilities, equivalent to UAH 5000; settling-in-grant (if applicable); life, health, and permanent disability insurance; resettlement allowance for satisfactory service.

Type of assignment place: assignment with family.

Interested applicants should send their curriculum vitae in English by 14 September 2010. Only successful candidates would be contacted and invited for the interview.