Legal Services Coordinator/Manager

Legal Services Coordinator/Manager Needed for Asylum Access Thailand (AAT)

Asylum Access, an international refugee rights organization, seeks an experienced and passionate legal advocate the position of Legal Services Coordinator based in Bangkok, Thailand. Asylum Access envisions a world where refugees are seen as people with rights, not just people with needs. Asylum Access believes that by empowering refugees to assert their human rights, we can support the creation of effective, lasting solutions for refugees around the world.

The ideal applicant will be a lawyer with substantive knowledge of international human rights and refugee law, including client counseling and advocacy, who is able to build relationships and adapt legal strategies to fit new and/or challenging circumstances. The applicant will have experience managing client services, as well as staff and volunteers and will be able to work in a diverse and cross-cultural organization. Experience providing legal aid is especially desirable. Fluent professional English is essential.

The Legal Services Coordinator's responsibilities will include:

● Developing and implementing best practices in legal services to ensure the effective legal representation of refugee clients

● Overseeing the legal services program's proper adherence to office protocols and procedures, including organizational database and case maintenance, client screening, and monitoring and evaluation

● Keeping apprised of local, national, and international legal and policy developments related to refugee rights, human rights, immigration and other related fields, and informing and training staff and volunteers with relevant information

● Playing the lead role, in cooperation with other relevant staff, in recruiting, training, and supervision of legal services staff and volunteers

Reporting:

The Legal Services Coordinator will report directly to the AAT Country Director for all work responsibilities and professional development.

Specific Responsibilities:

Legal Services Program Coordination

● Supervise all legal services provisions and advocacy by accompaniment for the refugee status determination (RSD) process in the UNHCR and procedures related to the access of rights, including but not limited to the right to work, housing, and education

● Manage and develop AAT's case management system and protocols to ensure diligent and quality service to clients including the following activities:

○ Intake and screening procedures,

○ Assigning and transferring cases,

○ Adherence to the Nairobi Code, and

○ Completing database and case management protocols for each case

● Supervise and coach legal services staff and volunteers in all their duties and activities

● Identify and develop unique and innovative legal tactics to assist clients with other legal needs, including assistance to assert improvements in RSD and access to rights to movement, security, humanitarian aid, education, and social services

● Keep regular contact with UNHCR and other entities to identify and respond to issues as they arise

2. Community Legal Empowerment (CLE)

● Oversee the Community Outreach Coordinator and CLE team to coordinate mobile legal clinics, community education workshops and other initiatives to reach refugees where they are

● Collaborate with CLE team to develop CLE curriculum and ensure information accuracy and relevancy

3. Reporting and Document Oversight

● Report regularly to the Country Director and Headquarters on the scope, nature, quality and challenges of AAT's legal services

● Work closely with Country Director regarding accurate and timely case record entry and troubleshooting legal services database needs or challenges

Qualifications

Required:

· Advanced university degree in law (LL.B., LL.M., J.D., etc.), preferably in international law, human rights law or humanitarian law

· Experienced lawyer or legal advocate with at least 2 years of experience in human rights issues, preferably regarding refugee rights

· Intimate understanding of International Refugee Law, including the 1951 Convention, the 1969 OAU Convention, and their respective interpretations.

· Experience in legal services and community outreach

· Understanding of legal staff and volunteer management from diverse cultural backgrounds, preferably in an international setting

· Demonstrated passion for human rights

· Ability to work full-time, in a deadline driven, fast-paced environment

· Ability to understand and develop creative responses to a rapidly changing political situation.

· Excellent in spoken and written English.

· Enthusiastic about the mission, vision, and approach of Asylum Access

Preferred:

· Familiarity with the UNHCR and its processes

· Experience working within Thailand; understanding of Thai legal and political systems

· Experience advising and representing refugees in the RSD process and/or access to rights assistance

· Prior experience working in diverse cross-cultural environments

· Prior experience providing services directly to clients and/or working with vulnerable populations

How to apply:

Applicants should send their CV and letter of interest to aat.hiring@asylumaccess.org with "Legal Services Coordinator/Manager - Thailand" in the subject line. Applications will be received on a rolling basis, however priority will be given to candidates who apply by September 5, 2014.Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Salary:
Asylum Access will offer a salary package that is locally competitive and commensurate with the successful applicant's experience and qualifications.