Legal Officer, National Screening Mechanism (NSM)

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 empowers 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 Team primarily provides legal services to refugees, ensuring that they have access to justice, get necessary support during the refugee status determination (RSD) process and have information on Long Term Legal Solutions (LTLS). The Legal Team is overseen by the Protection Program Coordinator and includes the RSD and Protection Team Leads, RSD and Protection Officers, RSD and Protection VLAs, Screening and Intake Officers, Interpreter and Paralegal Coordinator, Interpreters and Paralegals.

Position Description

Under the guidance of the RSD Team Lead, the Legal Officer, National Screening Mechanism (NSM) will eventually be responsible for serving as legal representative to clients undergoing “Protected Person” status determination in the Royal Thai Government’s NSM process.

Until the NSM launches, and under the guidance of the Executive Director, Protection Program Coordinator and RSD Team Lead, the Legal Officer, NSM is responsible for:

• Assisting Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) in preparing for the roll out of the NSM, through networking and technical capacity building on RSD and the NSM within the legal profession in Thailand and Royal Thai Government (RTG); and
• Providing support on Long Term Legal Solutions (Emergency Response) cases, Protection cases and RSD cases before UNHCR, by screening clients, identifying issues, conducting group legal clinics, drafting submissions, providing legal advice and enabling access to safety and basic needs coverage through advice, networking and referrals. Clients include those who fall within and outside UNHCR’s mandate.

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Key Responsibilities

All responsibilities will be undertaken under the guidance and support of the Executive Director, Protection Program Coordinator and RSD Team Lead.

Case Management (70%):

• Conduct intake and screening interviews for, and prioritize, clients seeking Protected Person through the NSM /refugee status before UNHCR and LTLS (Emergency Response)/Protection representation and advice;
• Undertake research on country of origin information (COI) to assess credibility, support individual claims and for general research purposes;
• Conduct NSM, RSD and LTLS (Emergency Response) group workshops for clients;
• Provide individualized legal advice and assistance to clients on NSM, RSD and LTLS (Emergency Response)/Protection matters, including on a walk-in basis, as on-call legal advisor;
• Provide full legal representation and short services for clients in the NSM process before the RTG, RSD process before UNHCR, and protection concerns in Thailand. This includes (but is not limited to):
  • Preparing client and witness statements, including reviewing and providing feedback on client-drafted statements;
  • Drafting legal briefs and closing statements;
  • Obtaining documents to support client cases such as witness statements, medical reports, etc.;
  • Preparing clients for and accompanying clients to interviews;
  • Following-up with the RTG and UNHCR on the status of client cases;
  • Representing and visiting clients in Immigration Detention Centers; and
  • Accompanying clients to the courts or police stations.
• Identify cases appropriate for special consideration by UNHCR and draft inquiries to be submitted through AAT’s weekly correspondence with UNHCR;
• Assess clients’ extra-legal needs (e.g. education, financial assistance, housing), and work closely with AAT teams and external organizations, to ensure these needs are met;
• Undertake comprehensive case management practices, including maintaining database records and keeping detailed notes of all case work activities;
• Maintain good working knowledge of guidelines, processes and procedures of NSM, RSD, LTLS (Emergency Response) and Protection;
• Maintain good working knowledge of current political and social situation in clients’ countries of origin (COO);
• Assist in developing and implementing team policies and procedures;
• Assist in developing and maintaining data collection and trends analysis on RSD and LTLS (Emergency Response)/Protection services;
• Attend and contribute to team meetings and other trainings and orientations as required;
• Adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, and AAT Code of Conduct, policies, and manuals.

Relationship Building, Networking, Advocacy and Training Support (30%):

• Support the Executive Director, Policy Advocacy Coordinator, Protection Program Coordinator and RSD Team Lead in:
  • Advocacy efforts before the RTG and UNHCR regarding NSM, RSD, LTLS (Emergency Response)/Protection policies and processes;
  • The development and delivery of training modules for legal professionals and RTG officials on NSM and RSD policies and processes;
• Support Executive Director and Policy Advocacy Coordinator in policy and advocacy efforts on issues affecting refugees and international human rights mechanisms;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with staff and operational partners to ensure smooth running of operations;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with refugee communities in Bangkok, and facilitate communication of accurate information so as to enable the fulfillment of refugee rights; and
• Other work as assigned by supervisor.

Reports to: RSD Team Lead

Essential Qualifications

The following are the minimal requirements for effectively working in this position:

• Qualified lawyer in Thailand or a bachelor’s degree in law or closed related subject in Thailand;
• Understanding of and/or experience working in RSD systems and Thai domestic law (e.g. criminal, employment, and immigration including arrest, detention and bail) in relation to undocumented individuals, asylum seekers and refugees;
• Client interview, analysis, drafting (of legal documents), advocacy, and written and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to take initiative and ownership of cases and projects, proactively follow up, manage multiple deadlines, and work effectively with a high attention to detail;
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Gmail, Google Drive and related tools (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, etc.); and
• Ability to fluently speak and write in English and Thai (as English is the working language of UNHCR Thailand and AAT, and as the position will require liaising with Thai entities).

Beneficial Qualifications

Prior knowledge of/experience in the following areas is not essential but would be valuable:

• Addressing protection concerns in Thailand;
• Assisting vulnerable non-nationals access social services and supports in Thailand;
• Community paralegal programs and community protection mechanisms;
• Working with individuals in vulnerable situations (such as survivors of crime, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), torture, trafficking, trauma, and/or those facing food insecurity, homelessness, lack of medical care and/or lack of safe and dignified employment);
• Working with interpreters and ensuring related professional and ethical standards are met;
• Reporting on projects financed by international donors and fulfilling project requirements;
• Building relationships and partnerships with external parties;
• Designing, conducting and/or sourcing training programs; and
• Willingness to travel within Thailand, to support advocacy and training efforts, if required.

Salary and Benefits

The Legal Officer, NSM will receive a monthly payment of THB 35,000 per month, health insurance and vacation and other leave days.

Hours and Location of Work

The Legal Officer, NSM is a full-time, one-year contract position based in our office in Bangkok, Thailand. Candidates should be aware that some flexibility regarding working hours is required in order to take calls and meetings with international colleagues outside of standard office hours.

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.