Back to jobsJuly 24, 2026FamilyUNOPS LICA62026-08-01UNOPS - TERMS OF REFERENCE
(Individual Contractor Agreement)
Functional Title: RSD Associate
Duty station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Section/Unit: Policy and Advocacy Unit
ICA Level: Local ICA 6
ICA Type: Regular
Corresponding level: GS-6
Duration: from [01/08/2026] to [31/12/2026]
1. General Background
The UNHCR Office in Malaysia is committed to supporting the Government in establishing a national asylum system that aligns with international protection standards and promotes an inclusive refugee policy. This includes enhancing capacity-sharing initiatives in line with the Government’s vision of a nationally owned Registration and Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The RSD Associate will be part of the Policy and Advocacy Team and report to the Assistant Government Liaison Officer. The incumbent will play a key role in supporting the Capacity Sharing Programme with government authorities, contributing to the development of a national asylum system and facilitating increased governmental involvement in refugee processing and refugee status determination. This includes developing appropriate materials on RSD for the purposes of advancing a national asylum framework. The incumbent is expected to stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, with particular attention to government-led registration and status determination processes. They will monitor progress, analyse emerging policy issues, and provide technical support and recommendations to inform UNHCR's engagement with government counterparts and other stakeholders in the development of a national asylum system.
Duties
• Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD.
• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
• Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
• Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
• Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
• Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
• Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
• Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
• Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
• Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
• Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
• Assist the supervisor with intervening with authorities on protection issues.
• 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.
• Provide assistance to the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Through Performance Evaluation – Mid Term and Final evaluations.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 year work experience with Bachelor or Equivalent or higher
Certificates and/or Licenses: Social work; HCR RSD Learning Programme; HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Programme; HCR Protection Learning Programme;
b. Work Experience
Desirable
Contextual Knowledge: A strong understanding of refugee and statelessness issues in Malaysia is essential. Familiarity with the operational environment in Malaysia and UNHCR Malaysia’s strategic priorities. Experience in supporting the development of national asylum systems and engaging with government counterparts in technical working groups and bilateral discussions.
Training and Capacity Building: Demonstrated ability to design and effectively deliver training for government officials, including the development of tailored training materials. Experience conducting sessions on RSD inclusion criteria, exclusion principles, cancellation/revocation procedures, international humanitarian and human rights law, interviewing techniques, credibility assessment, and legal drafting desired.
Stakeholder Engagement and Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships with government officials and other partners. Experience in engaging national authorities to support the development or enhancement of asylum systems.
Strategic Thinking and Coordination: Ability to advise on government-led registration and RSD processes, identify opportunities for engagement, and coordinate effectively with national authorities. Strong diplomatic and coordination skills are essential for institutional capacity development.
Language and Communication: Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia is critical for effective communication with national stakeholders, including when delivering training modules. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required for coordination with diverse partners.
Project Management: Experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on projects. Ability to coordinate with internal units (including Programme, Administration, Supply and Protection units) and external stakeholders. Competence in comprehensive planning, including budgeting, and reporting using narrative and indicator-based formats as required by donors.
Functional Skills
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees
CM-Cross-cultural communication
LE-Human Rights Law
LE-International Refugee Law
PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
MS-Research
PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures
WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals
MS-Analysis
c. Key Competencies
Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management
Additional Information:
This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2026 with the possibility of extension. Extension is subject to operational needs, budget, and performance.
The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
UNHCR does not sponsor work visa or work permit and applicant who is not Malaysian national should already have their status confirmed that they are able to secure a work visa at the time of the application.
Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between MYR 7,209 and MYR 9,132 depending on relevant experience.
Job Description
Deadline for Applications
Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)
A (least hardship)Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Staff Member / Affiliate Type
Target Start Date
Terms of Reference
(Individual Contractor Agreement)
Functional Title: RSD Associate
Duty station: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Section/Unit: Policy and Advocacy Unit
ICA Level: Local ICA 6
ICA Type: Regular
Corresponding level: GS-6
Duration: from [01/08/2026] to [31/12/2026]
1. General Background
The UNHCR Office in Malaysia is committed to supporting the Government in establishing a national asylum system that aligns with international protection standards and promotes an inclusive refugee policy. This includes enhancing capacity-sharing initiatives in line with the Government’s vision of a nationally owned Registration and Refugee Status Determination (RSD) process.
2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment
The RSD Associate will be part of the Policy and Advocacy Team and report to the Assistant Government Liaison Officer. The incumbent will play a key role in supporting the Capacity Sharing Programme with government authorities, contributing to the development of a national asylum system and facilitating increased governmental involvement in refugee processing and refugee status determination. This includes developing appropriate materials on RSD for the purposes of advancing a national asylum framework. The incumbent is expected to stay abreast of legal, political, security and other developments which impact on the protection environment, with particular attention to government-led registration and status determination processes. They will monitor progress, analyse emerging policy issues, and provide technical support and recommendations to inform UNHCR's engagement with government counterparts and other stakeholders in the development of a national asylum system.
Duties
• Stay abreast of political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment, and in particular, on protection delivery through RSD.
• Consistently apply International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and codes of conduct.
• Assist in providing comments on existing and draft legislation related to PoC.
• Provide advice and guidance on protection issues to PoC; liaise with competent authorities to ensure the issuance of personal and other relevant documentation.
• Assist in conducting eligibility and status determination for PoC in compliance with UNHCR procedural standards and international protection principles.
• Contribute to measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.
• Contribute to a country-level child protection plan as part of the protection strategy.
• Contribute to a country-level education plan as part of the protection strategy.
• Assist the supervisor in implementing and monitoring Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all protection/solutions activities.
• Assist in identifying durable solutions for the largest possible number of PoC through voluntary repatriation, local integration and where appropriate, resettlement.
• Contribute to the design, implementation and evaluation of protection related AGD based programming with implementing and operational partners.
• Contribute to and facilitate a programme of results-based advocacy with sectorial and/or cluster partners.
• Facilitate effective information management through the provision of disaggregated data on PoC and their problems.
• Participate in initiatives to capacitate authorities, relevant institutions and NGOs to strengthen national protection related legislation and procedures.
• Assist the supervisor with intervening with authorities on protection issues.
• 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.
• Provide assistance to the supervisor in deciding priorities for reception, interviewing and counselling for groups or individuals.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance of staff and implementing partners with global protection policies and standards of professional integrity in the delivery of protection services.
• Assist the supervisor with enforcing compliance with, and integrity of, all protection standard operating procedures.
• Perform other related duties as required.
3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Through Performance Evaluation – Mid Term and Final evaluations.
4. Qualifications and Experience
a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)
3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 year work experience with Bachelor or Equivalent or higher
Certificates and/or Licenses: Social work; HCR RSD Learning Programme; HCR Country of Origin Information Learning Programme; HCR Protection Learning Programme;
b. Work Experience
Desirable
Contextual Knowledge: A strong understanding of refugee and statelessness issues in Malaysia is essential. Familiarity with the operational environment in Malaysia and UNHCR Malaysia’s strategic priorities. Experience in supporting the development of national asylum systems and engaging with government counterparts in technical working groups and bilateral discussions.
Training and Capacity Building: Demonstrated ability to design and effectively deliver training for government officials, including the development of tailored training materials. Experience conducting sessions on RSD inclusion criteria, exclusion principles, cancellation/revocation procedures, international humanitarian and human rights law, interviewing techniques, credibility assessment, and legal drafting desired.
Stakeholder Engagement and Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust-based relationships with government officials and other partners. Experience in engaging national authorities to support the development or enhancement of asylum systems.
Strategic Thinking and Coordination: Ability to advise on government-led registration and RSD processes, identify opportunities for engagement, and coordinate effectively with national authorities. Strong diplomatic and coordination skills are essential for institutional capacity development.
Language and Communication: Proficiency in Bahasa Malaysia is critical for effective communication with national stakeholders, including when delivering training modules. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required for coordination with diverse partners.
Project Management: Experience in planning, implementing, monitoring, and reporting on projects. Ability to coordinate with internal units (including Programme, Administration, Supply and Protection units) and external stakeholders. Competence in comprehensive planning, including budgeting, and reporting using narrative and indicator-based formats as required by donors.
Functional Skills
PR-Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)
PR-Counselling Asylum Seekers or Refugees
CM-Cross-cultural communication
LE-Human Rights Law
LE-International Refugee Law
PR-RSD - Principles and Procedures, operational arrangements/assistance
MS-Research
PR-Government Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures
WB-Treatment of vulnerable/traumatized individuals
MS-Analysis
c. Key Competencies
Core Competencies:
Accountability
Communication
Organizational Awareness
Teamwork & Collaboration
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Client & Result Orientation
Cross-Functional Competencies:
Analytical Thinking
Planning and Organizing
Stakeholder Management
Additional Information:
This position is offered under UNOPS Local ICA contract until 31/12/2026 with the possibility of extension. Extension is subject to operational needs, budget, and performance.
The position requires fluency in English and Malay languages.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified. The recruitment process might include a written test and/or oral interview for this job opening. No late applications will be accepted.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
UNHCR does not sponsor work visa or work permit and applicant who is not Malaysian national should already have their status confirmed that they are able to secure a work visa at the time of the application.
Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. The monthly net salary is between MYR 7,209 and MYR 9,132 depending on relevant experience.
Standard Job Description
Required Languages
Malay,
English,
Desired Languages
,
,
Additional Qualifications
Skills
Education
Certifications
Work Experience
Other information
This position doesn't require a functional clearance
Remote