The selected candidate will be responsible for supporting protection and solution capacity and implementing a workplan on statelessness in the countries under MCO Canberra’s coverage. The incumbent may also help assist in other areas, including with resettlement case processing within the framework of the Australia-New Zealand Resettlement Arrangement.

Background:

MCO Canberra seeks to build upon the analysis of partnerships and entry points expounded upon in a recent mapping exercise. Climate change is a risk multiplier in displacement, and when people are on the move, the risk of statelessness can increase. This applies equally to migrants, refugees, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the context of environmental degradation and loss of territory resulting from climate change. MCO Canberra seeks to address this increased risk through a strategic action plan, with specific efforts to reduce other statelessness risk factors, including the lack of legal safeguards. At the same time, the office’s strategy pursues an improved protection status for persons who find themselves in a migratory context and at risk of statelessness due to climate change related events.

The incumbent may also support with enhancing access to asylum in the region, including through strengthening referrals pathways at borer entry points, training of border officials, and awareness-raising on access to asylum.

In addition, the incumbent may support with resettlement case processing within the framework of the Australia-New Zealand Resettlement Arrangement, whereby New Zealand agreed to resettle up to 450 eligible over a three-year-period of refugees subject to Australia’s offshore transfer policy located in Nauru and Australia. As transferred persons in Papua New Guinea were not included in this arrangement, UNHCR agreed separately with New Zealand to refer eligible refugees from Papua New Guinea under New Zealand’s refugee quota program.

Duties:

• Liaise with stakeholders (UNICEF, governmental authorities, and organizations working on statelessness issues) regarding legislative reforms and contribute to relevant action items as set out in the UNICEF-UNHCR Joint Action Plan, including but not limited to providing technical assistance for the Statelessness Roundtable
• Review the working group package, including draft consultation tools, agenda, tentative workplan, data collection methodology, etc.
• Review and drafting of written documents and non-papers on statelessness issues
• Prepare briefings and reports on statelessness linked to climate change
• Prepare responses to enquiries from individuals, particularly on access to asylum and reception conditions, and coordinate any necessary follow-up
• Assist protection team with the UNHCR website, including help pages to ensure that information on access to asylum is updated
• Assist the protection team with research and monitoring of jurisprudence, as necessary
• Assist the durable solutions unit with casework, including interviews, drafting of resettlement referrals, and counselling
• Participate in relevant meetings and consolidate notes and feedback.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Education: Completed Secondary Education in law or equivalent
• Proven policy development and operational experience in the region required, with prior UN/UNHCR work experience preferred
• Understanding and Experience in statelessness issues in the Pacific
• Familiarity with UNHCR’s Resettlement guideline
• Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees.
• Understanding of the context affecting persons of concern under Australia Offshore policy
• Advanced research and drafting skills
• Fluency in English

Candidates must be Australian citizens, permanent residents, or currently hold a visa with full-time work rights.