Deadline for Applications
July 22, 2026
Grade
GS6
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
General Service
Reason
Temporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
B
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Residential location (if applicable)
2026-08-01
2026-11-30
Standard Job Description
RSD Associate
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The RSD Associate is a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team. S/he is responsible for supporting all activities related to the processing of refugee claims in the Operation. The RSD Associate provides counselling to, and responds to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees regarding UNHCR's RSD procedures, their rights and obligations, including towards the host authorities, and the status of the processing of their claims. In discharging these responsibilities, the RSD Associate liaises closely with Registration, Community Services, Resettlement, and other Protection staff. The RSD Associate is responsible for conducting COI and other research related to RSD and maintaining the Operation's local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards. S/he may also assist in drafting RSD Assessments. The RSD Associate assists in compiling and analysing information related to the RSD activities of the Operation, and in drafting related correspondence and reports. The RSD Associate may provide interpretation and/or translation services in cases for which s/he has the required language competencies.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD.
- Assist in the development of the RSD strategy of the operation and in the annual planning exercise.
- Provide counselling to, and respond to queries from, asylum seekers and refugees, including in the context of the notification of negative RSD decisions.
- Maintain accurate and up-to date records and data related to all work on individual cases.
- Assist in preventing and identifying fraud in RSD through oversight, advice and guidance to UNHCR staff, partners and persons of concern.
- Systematically apply an age, gender and diversity (AGD) perspective in the performance of assigned functions.
- Conduct research on country of origin information (COI) and other issues related to RSD and maintain the Operation's local repository of relevant information, guidelines and standards accessible to RSD staff in the operation.
- Assist in monitoring RSD trends and in compiling and analysing RSD statistics related to RSD case processing.
- Assist in developing and maintaining processes to ensure that persons of concern, Government authorities and partners have accurate information on the RSD procedures, including UNHCR standards, policies and practice.
- Assist in initiatives to advocate with and support Government authorities and legal partners to establish and strengthen fair and efficient RSD procedures and RSD decision-making.
- Draft correspondence and reports relating to the RSD activities of the Operation.
- Refer individual cases to other functional units in the Operation and/or external partners for appropriate follow-up, in accordance with established criteria.
- Counsel individual asylum-seekers on the reasons for negative RSD decisions, in accordance with the RSD SOPs.
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher
Field(s) of Education
Not applicable.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Social work;
HCR RSD Lrng Programme;
HCR Cntry of Orig Inf Lrng Prg;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Not specified.
Desirable
Working experience with procedures and principles related to RSD. Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.
Functional Skills
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees
CM-Cross-cultural communication
LE-Human Rights Law
PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
SO-Research
PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures
WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
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.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile
Operational Context:
India currently hosts more than 261,000 refugees and asylum seekers. These include some 91,000 Sri Lankan refugees and 73,400 Tibetans directly assisted by the Government of India. There are also around 48,000 individuals registered under UNHCR’s mandate primarily from Afghanistan, Myanmar, and other countries. In addition, around 50,000 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Northeast of India and live in a refugee-like situation. UNHCR works with the Government of India on protection and solutions for refugees and asylum seekers in India.
In 2025, severe funding cuts have resulted in the scaling back of critical services for refugees in India. UNHCR’s priorities currently include:
- strengthening registration, documentation, and legal aid to prevent or respond to arrest, detention, and risk of forced return—prioritizing high-risk cases for refugee status determination, with positive decisions opening pathways to resettlement and other solutions.
- addressing the urgent needs of the most vulnerable individuals including with emergency, life-saving assistance.
- deepening collaboration with local actors and investing in refugee- and community-led initiatives and livelihood programs that foster resilience, inclusion, and self-reliance.
- advancing durable solutions by expanding complementary pathways—such as labor mobility and education opportunities to third countries— advocating for increased resettlement, and facilitating safe, voluntary repatriation
UNHCR works through local partners in areas with the largest refugee populations and the highest operational needs providing essential protection services across India. The Office undertakes advocacy on the development of a national policy framework to respond to refugees including through the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in public services and programs in line with the commitment of “leaving no one behind” under the UN- Government of India Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. UNHCR’s office is in New Delhi and has a field presence in Chennai, Tamil Nadu State.
Desired Candidate Profile
The RSD Associate is a part of the RSD team and is supervised by the Associate RSD Officer. A University degree in Law, Human Rights, International Relations or other clearly related disciplines is desirable. A minimum of two years' work experience with UNHCR in RSD procedures at First instance and Appeal is desired. Knowledge of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law and ability to apply the relevant legal principles is desired. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals in the context of RSD procedures is desired. The position requires strong interview, research, drafting skills and cross-cultural communication skills.
Excellent English writing and editing skills, attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines and strong organizational and time management skills are desired.
This position is a temporary appointment for 04 months and is open only to Indian nationals. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted, and they may be required to undergo a written test and an interview. The selected candidate will work either from the UNHCR Office or other UNHCR partner locations in New Delhi, India.
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
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Additional Qualifications
Skills
CO-Cross-cultural communication, PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD), PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees, PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures, PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance, SO-Research, WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals
Education
Certifications
Community Development/Social Work - Other, HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Program - UNHCR, HCR RSD Learning Program - UNHCR
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
