Thailand: Director, Refugee Clinic

BPSOS is a US-based organization with 8 offices in the U.S. and 2 overseas operations in Malaysia and Thailand. Our international initiatives include combating human trafficking, defending refugee rights, and developing civil society.

Job Title: Director, Refugee Clinic
Initiative: Defending refugee rights
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Duration: 1-year minimum
Salary: Please inquire directly with HR

Primary Responsibilities:

• Direct, supervise, and manage team of legal advisers, pro bono attorneys, law students, interpreters, and interns.
• Counsel asylum seekers on UNHCR RSD process, standards, and guidelines.
• Train legal staff on interviewing applicants for refugee status, drafting testimony, effective brief writing, researching country of origin information, and general advocacy skills.
• Prepare, draft, and review written refugee status applications, appeals and motions to re-open to UNHCR.
• Compile Vietnam country conditions information and draft relevant reports.
• Maintain partnership and build alliance with other legal aid and human rights organizations to advocate for refugee protection and fair and appropriate RSD procedures.
• Supervise emergency funding distribution and advocate for additional funding for the most vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers.
• Recruit and manage volunteers and interns to support community outreach programs and direct assistance projects.
• Create public awareness within and outside the region on the plight of asylum seekers and advocating for the protection of victims of persecution in accordance with international standards.
• Represent BPSOS on the Asian Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) and similar regional coalitions.
• Work with ASEAN civil society organizations to advocate for the protection of refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless at ASEAN forums.
• Inform asylum seekers and refugees of risk factors, available services, and policy changes.
• Regularly consult BPSOS’s support team, which is based in the U.S., regarding policy positions and advocacy, casework, and drafting of official statements.
• Compile and report, every six months or more often, on the status and outcomes of the team’s legal casework and related services/assistance to refugees and asylum seekers.
• The legal director will report directly to BPSOS’s CEO & President or his designee.

Qualifications:

• A law degree or legal background.
• Fluency in English a must.
• Vietnamese, both written and oral, highly preferred but not mandatory
• Prior professional experience in the areas of refugee protection, human rights or international humanitarian law a plus.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Sensitivity to issues of asylum seekers, refugees, and displaced people.
• Team player with demonstrated ability to interact professionally with staff, clients, donors and service providers, and work productively in diverse team settings or independently.

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and 3 professional references to ian.stuart@bpsos.org indicating “Application–Director, Refugee Clinic” in the subject line. As we are seeking an immediate hire, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.

BPSOS is an equal opportunity employer!