Volunteer Legal Advocates (VLAs)

About Asylum Access

Asylum Access believes it’s time to put power back in the hands of people who have been forcibly displaced from their home countries.

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. By supporting refugees as they assert their rights, we help restore their power and agency. 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.

Volunteer Program Highlights

Refugee Rights Training and Professional Development – Throughout the Volunteer Legal Advisor’s (VLA) work with AAT, the organization will aid VLAs with a series of tools to maximize their programmatic work and their knowledge of refugee law and practice. Regular training and debriefing sessions will offer VLAs the chance to enhance and process their experience and communicate their insights about cross-cultural issues.

Casework – Upon joining the team, VLAs will be largely responsible for their own casework, which they will see through preparation, submission and results. Throughout the life of a case, they will receive guidance and mentorship from AAT’s management team. This will give VLAs the practical experience of legal representation, client contact, research, brief writing, and other invaluable legal experience.

Joining our Network – After working with Asylum Access, VLAs will be connected with an ever-growing network of refugee legal advocates around the world, which circulates job openings, research opportunities, refugee news, and more. VLAs will also have access to the mentorship of AAT’s management team.

Position Description

Asylum Access Thailand (AAT) seeks applications from well-prepared candidates with strong writing skills and a passion for social justice who are ready to commit themselves to spending six months to a year as a Volunteer Legal Advocates based out of Bangkok, Thailand.

Volunteer Legal Advocates (VLAs) will provide legal counsel, advice and advocacy on behalf of refugees seeking asylum or the assertion of other legal rights. Following an intensive training program in international refugee law, VLAs will be given the opportunity to practice before local offices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Key Responsibilities

Duties may include but not limited to:

• Conduct client intake and screening interviews, assess needs, and refer to other service providers as needed
• Advise refugees on the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process and assist them in learning about their rights
• Interview refugees and submit written briefs on behalf of those undergoing individual RSD before UNHCR
• Maintain a high caseload in a fast paced, demanding environment while adhering to strict filing deadlines
• Conduct research on “country of origin” situations and refugee law jurisprudence
• Develop material for workshops and legal clinics for refugees, work with translators to adapt materials, and teach and/or participate in the workshops and legal clinics
• Occasionally, represent AAT at events, conferences and meetings, and/or assist in other publicity and/or fundraising efforts
• Assist with the general administrative duties of the office, including helping to build administrative capacity within the office to meet demand as AAT grows

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Law (specialization in International Law or International Refugee Law an asset)
• Working knowledge in English is required, knowledge of other languages (Chinese, Urdu, French, Farsi, Tamil, Arabic, Khmer, Vietnamese Kinh, Hmong) is very helpful
• Experience working in direct clients services, ideally with asylum seekers or in human rights, as well as a strong passion for social justice work
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and/or survivors of trauma
• International experience living and working cross-culturally in developing countries, preferably in Southeast Asia
• Experience working in a non-profit setting with limited resources, ideally in the global south
• An easy-going personality with the demonstrated capacity to handle living and working in an ad-hoc environment where difficult situations and crises can develop at a moment’s notice
• Aptitude to successfully complete assigned tasks with minimal oversight while serving clients with the highest ethical standards
• Knowledge of the importance of working as part of a team and the ability to carefully and faithfully follow the direction of AAT management staff
• Ability to work with AAT for at least 6 months of full-time

Required Qualifications

• Interest in international human rights and/or refugee rights and/or related topics
• Ability to work with diverse people and groups. Candidate should be culturally sensitive
• Basic working knowledge of Gmail, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Microsoft Office.

Important Note

Please note that all Asylum Access VLA positions are unpaid; we are happy to work with successful applicants to arrange for funding or school credit where available. The VLA will be responsible for expenses incurred relating to obtaining their visa. AAT will be responsible for government and legal service fees in obtaining work permit only. Details and orientation on required documents and procedure in applying for visa and work permit will be shared with successful candidates.

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.