Assistant RSD Officer - UNOPS IICA-1

January 16, 2026

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

FamilyUNOPS IICA1

2026-02-011. General Background
South Africa as a signatory to the 1951 Convention and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1969 Organization of African Unity Convention (OAU), has a very comprehensive framework for protecting the rights of refugees and asylum seekers. The main legislative instrument regulating asylum and the rights of refugees is the Refugees Act no.130 of 1998, which integrates these international standards. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) manages refugee admission, reception, registration, documentation, and refugee status determination procedures. At the appeal level, the Refugee Appeals Authority of South Africa (RAASA), has historically had limited resources and has been receiving high numbers of appeals due to unjustifiably high rejection rates at first instance. UNHCR assists the South African Government in reducing the appeals backlog and strengthening its asylum system efficiency.
In this context, UNHCR is seeking a dedicated professional who will work as Assistant RSD Officer to conduct interviews and draft RSD assessments on behalf of Department of Home Affairs (DHA), particularly for cases at appeal stage; to implement an adjudicative strategy including the operationalization of diversified case processing modalities, to support capacity development initiatives at both first instance and appeal levels and to enhance the asylum system’s overall fairness, efficiency and integrity. The role is critical in supporting expeditious processing of RSD cases pending at the appeal stage, reduce the appeal backlog and contribute to putting in place practices and methodologies for efficient and quality asylum case processing. The incumbent will report to the RSD Officer.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The duties of the contractor are:
- Provide legal/procedural advice and support on RSD adjudication issues within the Area of Responsibility (AoR).
- Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments relevant to mandate RSD, the protection environment, including developments in relation to national asylum/RSD systems, as applicable.
- Engage relevant national authorities and structures in identifying and expanding opportunities in view of developing or strengthening national asylum/RSD systems.
- Undertake quality review of RSD Assessments in line with UNHCR policies/guidelines related to mandate RSD and endorse RSD decisions as required.
- Conduct interviews and draft RSD Assessments in complex/sensitive cases per relevant standards and guidelines.
- Provide ongoing coaching as well as specialized training on the inclusion criteria; principles/procedures related to exclusion; cancellation/revocation; international humanitarian law; human rights law; interviewing techniques and credibility assessment/establishing the facts; and legal drafting.
- Provide specialized training to other UNHCR units on the refugee criteria and related issues as needed. Contribute to the development of the RSD strategy and support senior management to ensure its full and effective integration into the protection and solution strategy of the Country Operations Plan.
- Contribute to developing/enhancing regional and global RSD standards and policies, as required.
- Support the design and implementation of operation-specific SOPs for all aspects of RSD operations in line with relevant standards/policies, including UNHCR's AGD policy and Forward Plan, ensuring the prioritization of persons with specific needs if based in a Regional Bureau, provide support to operations on the above.
- Monitor trends and systematically compile statistics related to RSD case processing.
- Analyze key indicators of the quality and efficiency of decision-making in RSD processing to assess capacity and resource requirements of operations in the region or the operation to which the RSD Officer is assigned.
- Contribute to the evaluation and projection of RSD staffing and financial needs using the RSD Staffing Benchmarks, and support allocation of appropriate human, material and financial resources.
- Contribute to identifying and preventing fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR personnel, partners and persons of concern.
- Together with competent host authorities and partners, develop processes aiming at developing national institutional capacities and the timely identification of international protection needs in line with the GCR and other key planning considerations.
- Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.

3. Desired Candidate Profile
The desired candidate should have:
• Extensive RSD experience, particularly in managing UNHCR mandate RSD in country operations or MCOs.
• Demonstrated experience in processing and reviewing complex and sensitive cases, undertaking quality review of RSD Assessments, conduct RSD interviews, and draft RSD Assessment.
• Knowledge of civilian character of asylum issues, experience in supporting asylum transitions, experience in implementing protection policies in response to these issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills, as well as coordination and stakeholder managements skills and experience and political awareness.
• Experience in capacity development for UNHCR staff and government counterparts in RSD policies and procedures.

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls
The Assistant RSD Officer will be required to report on progress weekly during the RSD Unit Meeting. Progress will be assessed based on how well the project is being implemented. Additionally, on a monthly basis or upon request, he/she will prepare and present a report to the RSD Officer, highlighting emerging trends and issues relevant to the team, and any other relevant updates as needed.

5. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education
1 year relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or no experience with Graduate degree; or no experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
• Law;
• Political Science;
• International Relations;
• or other relevant field.
b. Work Experience
Essential
Minimum 1 year of relevant professional job experience, preferably in the area of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law. Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles.
Desirable
Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD is highly desirable. Experience as a decision-maker in UNHCR or Government RSD procedures. Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.
c. Language Requirements
Essential: Professional written and spoken English language knowledge
Desired: Professional knowledge of French and/or Arabic would be an asset.
d. Key Competencies
Desired Functional skills:
• DM-Data Collection and Analysis;
• PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees;
• CO-Drafting and Documentation;
• LE-Legal Research;
• PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance;
• SO-Research;
• PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures;
• WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals;
• MG-Decision Making;
Desirable certificates/licenses:
• HCR RSD Learning Programme;
• HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Programme;
Required Competencies:
Core Competencies
• Accountability
• Communication
• Organizational Awareness
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
• Judgement and Decision Making
Cross-Functional Competencies
• Analytical Thinking
• Planning and Organizing

Additional information:
Applications will be accepted only via the online portal. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or interviews. Interviews should in principle be competency-based. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Selection processes in UNHCR are guided by paramount consideration to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity in UNHCR’s workforce. The general principles of transparency and fairness, no-discrimination, diversity and inclusion, and multilingualism apply to all recruitment processes.

All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination, and abuse of power.

As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.

UNHCR does not facilitate the obtaining of the work visa for recruitment. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

,

Desired Languages

French

,

Arabic

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn't require a functional clearance

Remote

No