Refugee Status Determination Associate

United Nations Volunteers - East and Southern Africa; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A humanitarian organization is seeking a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Associate to strengthen asylum procedures in Pretoria, South Africa. The role involves conducting interviews, providing counselling to asylum seekers, and ensuring compliance with international protection standards. Candidates should possess a relevant bachelor's degree and have 1–3 years of experience. Fluent English is required, and a working knowledge of French is desirable. A monthly living allowance is offered in this full-time volunteer position.

Benefits

Monthly living allowance

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience working with RSD procedures and principles.
• Fluent in English and working knowledge of French is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Conduct RSD interviews and draft legal assessments.
• Provide RSD counselling services to asylum seekers.
• Maintain accurate case records and RSD statistics.

Skills

Strong legal analysis

Excellent interpersonal communication

Ability to work in multicultural environments

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, or related field

Job description

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is recruiting a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) Associate to strengthen fair and efficient asylum procedures and protection delivery in Pretoria, South Africa. The role supports the protection of asylum seekers and refugees by contributing to high-quality refugee status determination processes in line with international protection standards

Key Responsibilities

Refugee Status Determination & Case Processing

• Conduct RSD interviews and draft legal assessments and recommendations on refugee status at first instance and appeal levels
• Apply UNHCR guidelines and procedural standards throughout RSD processes

Protection Counseling & Client Support

• Provide RSD counselling services to asylum seekers and refugees
• Respond to queries and support individuals, including in cases of negative RSD decisions

Legal Analysis & Protection Monitoring

• Monitor legal, political and security developments impacting the protection environment
• Conduct country-of-origin information (COI) research and maintain local legal repositories

Data Management, Reporting & Fraud Prevention

• Maintain accurate case records and RSD statistics
• Assist in identifying and preventing fraud in RSD procedures

Strategy, Advocacy & Partnerships

• Contribute to the RSD strategy and annual planning exercises
• Support advocacy with government and legal partners to strengthen RSD procedures

Age, Gender & Diversity (AGD) Mainstreaming

• Systematically apply an AGD perspective in all RSD-related functions

Profile Required

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Law, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field

Professional Experience

• Minimum 1–3 years’ relevant professional experience
• Experience working with RSD procedures and principles
• Experience working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals

Languages

• English: Fluent (Required)
• French – Working knowledge (Desirable)

Skills

• Strong legal analysis, drafting, and reporting skills
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in complex and multicultural environments

Desirable Qualifications and Skills

• Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law
• Experience in counselling asylum seekers and refugees
• Familiarity with government RSD procedures and COI research
• Strong analytical thinking, judgement, and stakeholder management skills

Volunteer Living Allowance:

UN Volunteers serve full-time in their professional expertise, supported by a benefits package, including a monthly living allowance to ensure a secure standard of living at their duty stations. These allowances are not intended as compensation, reward, or salary for the volunteer's service.

Check out our Entitlement Calculator on UVP, the Unified Volunteer Platform.