Legal Protection Officer

About Asylum Access

We are human rights advocates who support forcibly displaced individuals and communities as they reclaim their rights, agency and power.

Our unique combination of legal empowerment, policy advocacy and global systems change creates conditions in which refugees can live safely, move freely, work legally and go to school. Our work transforms the traditional approach of endless humanitarian handouts to a sustainable solution that honors refugees’ freedom, dignity and autonomy, and equips them to make choices about their own lives.

Asylum Access’ global team and family of local civil society organizations advocate to make human rights a reality for refugees throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our national organizations are led and staffed primarily by community members in those countries, and there is strong mutual trust and respect between us and our clients. On the international stage, we work with established institutions to shift the global system to better uphold and promote refugees’ human rights. We can help catalyze and lead systemic transformation because, uniquely among NGOs in the refugee response sector, we focus exclusively on rights and governance.

Department Description

The AAM Legal Services team provides legal aid to refugee clients through individualised legal assistance, community outreach and advocacy initiatives. The team works to identify those with heightened vulnerabilities, assist individuals and communities in navigating the UNHCR process, as well as provide information on their rights and duties under certain domestic laws and policies. Through its legal empowerment activities and advocacy tools, the team seeks to encourage systemic change and increase access to rights for forcibly displaced individuals and communities in Malaysia.

Position Description

The Legal Protection Officer is a member of AAM’s Legal Services team and responsible for cases requiring solutions within the domestic legal and administrative framework. They will provide individualised legal advice on issues faced by refugee clients in Malaysia, liaise with national agencies/local authorities, and coordinate legal representation where necessary. They will also engage in community legal education through group workshops and assist in developing legal service strategies. The Legal Protection Officer must have the ability to work in a diverse and multifunctional team to achieve common goals and results.

Key Responsibilities

1.  Individualised legal assistance and advocacy [85%]

• Conducting client screening interviews, assessing needs, identifying vulnerabilities and referring cases to the relevant service providers as necessary;
• Providing individualised legal advice in certain areas of domestic laws and/or policies to AAM’s clients;
• Carrying out interventions for cases involving domestic laws and/or policies, particularly in arrest and detention as well as other protection cases;
• Liaising with national agencies and/or local authorities;
• Coordinating work and communications with lawyers for clients where AAM has identified a need for legal representation;
• Drafting partner referral submissions requiring UNHCR intervention or assistance;
• Where necessary, providing general advice to clients on the UNHCR process;
• Assisting in advocacy initiatives with the UNHCR and other relevant organizations;
• Communicating updates to clients on a timely basis;
• Maintaining records of interactions with clients and services provided;
• Other duties as assigned.

2.  Community Legal Education [10%]

• Developing and updating workshop materials in response to the changing protection environment and needs of communities;

• Conducting workshops for refugee communities on common legal and protection issues;

• Ensuring accurate dissemination of information on protection issues through community messaging;

• Building AAM’s repository of judicial decisions in Malaysia related to refugees.

3.  Reporting, planning and general administrative duties (5%)

• Contributing to the design and implementation of strategies and best practices to ensure legal services are timely and effective;

• Assisting in client outreach strategy in coordination with the AAM team;

• Adhering to office protocols and procedures, including organizational database and case management;

• Assisting in monitoring and evaluation and reporting obligations;

• Where necessary, assisting with the general administrative duties of the AAM office.

Reports to: AAM Legal Services and Solutions Manager

Minimum Qualifications

• University degree in Law (LL.B or LL.M), with demonstrated knowledge of domestic laws and procedures in Malaysia, particularly in arrest and detention;

• Minimum of six (6) months’ experience working in legal service provision, which may include internship and volunteer experiences;

• Professional fluency in English and Malay (oral and written) and excellent communication skills;

• Strong legal research, writing and analytical skills;

• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to meet strict deadlines;

• Strong people skills, with the ability to work effectively in a diverse team environment;

• • Ability to serve clients with the highest ethical standards;
  • A positive personality and is able to work in and adapt to an ad-hoc environment, where difficult situations may arise unexpectedly;

• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professionally qualified as an Advocate and Solicitor in Malaysia [either in the High Court of Malaya or the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak];
• Experience in providing direct legal services, particularly in refugee or human rights law;
• Experience in legal advocacy and engaging with national agencies and local authorities;
• Experience in engaging directly with vulnerable groups and marginalised communities, including survivors of trauma;
• Experience in community engagement;
• Experience working in a non-profit or legal aid setting with limited resources;
• Knowledge of the local context and protection needs of refugees in Malaysia;
• Knowledge of other languages (Malay, Burmese, Arabic, Urdu, Somali, Farsi) is an asset.

Salary and Benefits

The position comes with a competitive nonprofit salary, and a robust benefits package including paid time off and professional development funds. The monthly gross salary is MYR 3,500.00 - MYR 4,000.00.

Hours and Location of Work

This is a full-time position based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Start Date: As soon as possible.

Application Instructions

Send your resume and a cover letter via Asylum Access online portal BambooHR. In your cover letter, please describe your reasons for applying, relevant qualifications, preferred start date and how you learned about this position. The final deadline for applications is on 27 April 2023 or until the position is filled.

Asylum Access is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We value the expertise of those who have experienced displacement, and encourage people with such lived experience to apply.

For more information about our organization, visit www.asylumaccess.org_._