Saint Andrew’s Refugee Services, Cairo
Vacancy Announcement: Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator
Founded in 1979, StARS is a refugee service provider in central Cairo that works to enhance the quality of life
for refugees and vulnerable migrants through five broad program areas: education, psychosocial, legal,
community outreach and unaccompanied youth and children support services. We provide high-quality
services meeting the unaddressed needs of refugees, and we provide a safe and inclusive space for displaced
people to come together as a community. We work for refugees, with refugees, to make rights recognition a
reality.
StARS’ Mission: Driven by a commitment to justice and fairness, StARS works as displaced people and for
displaced people to respect human dignity and enhance quality of life.
StARS’ Vision: Displaced people lead in the creation and implementation of responses to different forms of
migration to establish safe, just, welcoming, and inclusive communities globally.
We serve people from many places, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and
Yemen.
To learn more please visit our website: www.stars-egypt.org or our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/standrewsrefugeeservices?fref=ts
Project Description: Refugee Legal Aid Program
The Refugee Legal Aid Program provides advice and representation to refugees seeking recognition by
UNHCR through Refugee Status Determination procedures in Egypt, assists refugees in accessing
resettlement to safe third countries, and advises refugees on protection matters.
StARS has established a full-service center dedicated to meeting the education, protection, legal support, and
advocacy needs of Unaccompanied Children and Youth in Cairo. The Unaccompanied Children and Youth
population in Egypt is made up of almost 5,000 children and youth, of which StARS serves a majority within
its programming. Refugee Legal Aid Program is seeking an Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid
Coordinator to supervise and develop the legal team providing specialized legal representation and advice
to the Unaccompanied Children and Youth refugee population in their Refugee Status Determination
processes, protection situation, and resettlement processes.
Role
Under the supervision of the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director, the Unaccompanied
Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator is responsible for the management and the development of
Refugee Legal Aid Program’s Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team. In consultation with the
Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director, the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid
Coordinator shall be responsible for supervising and determining the strategic direction of Refugee Legal
Aid Program’s Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid work. The Unaccompanied Children and Youth
Legal Aid Coordinator will be responsible for the day to-day management of the Unaccompanied Children
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Human Resources at St Andrew’s Refugee Services
and Youth Legal Aid team, which consists of Senior Legal Officers, Legal Officers, a Program Assistant, and a
number of Volunteer Legal Advisors.
Responsibilities
All duties are carried out under the supervision of the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy
Director. Effective communication with Refugee Legal Aid Program management and other StARS program
managers is essential to the success of this role.
Legal and Technical
• To manage the allocation of casework and training of Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid staff
on Refugee Status Determination, protection, and resettlement matters.
• To supervise and oversee the screening and intake of potential clients.
• To supervise and oversee the provision of accurate advice and high-quality assistance to clients for
representation in Refugee Status Determination matters, including Refugee Status Determination first
instance, appeals, and reopenings, and to make final decisions on representation of clients requesting
assistance in the Refugee Status Determination process.
• To oversee the preparation and filing of first instance, appeal, and reopening submissions to UNHCR’s
Refugee Status Determination Unit.
• To coordinate with the Refugee Legal Aid Program Resettlement Coordinator on the preparation and
submission of resettlement referrals to UNHCR for aged-out unaccompanied children.
• To collaborate with the Coordinators and Director of Unaccompanied Children and Youth Psychosocial
Programs on advocating for unaccompanied children to access Best Interest Determination (BID)
processes to access durable solutions.
• To maintain accurate records of client representations, including client files in Refugee Legal Aid
Program’s case management database (RaMCIS) and case dockets.
• To maintain a good working knowledge of UNHCR policies and procedures in Refugee Status
Determination and resettlement matters and country of origin information on common client populations.
• To manage the training of Unaccompanied Children and Youth support caseworkers on UNHCR
procedures and Refugee Legal Aid Program’s services to ensure appropriate referrals of Unaccompanied
Children and Youth clients into legal services.
• In cooperation with the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Psychosocial Program Coordinators, develop
and enhance coordination mechanisms between Unaccompanied Children and Youth legal and
psychosocial services.
• To engage with refugee community-based organizations in providing trainings and follow-up support, as
well as participating in open-floor meetings and information sessions.
• To develop and expand Refugee Legal Aid Program’s legal advocacy regarding Unaccompanied Children
and Youth refugees and asylum seekers and to assist the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy
Director in setting and executing policy and advocacy priorities.
• To adhere to the Nairobi Code of Ethics, the StARS Staff Handbook, the StARS Code of Conduct, and the
StARS Safety and Security Policy.
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Human Resources at St Andrew’s Refugee Services
Programmatic
• To assist the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director in development and
implementation of team systems, policies, and procedures.
• To assist the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director in establishing and maintaining
written manuals and procedures for the different services provided by the Unaccompanied Children and
Youth Legal Aid team.
• In coordination with the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director, maintain and develop
Refugee Legal Aid Program’s relationship with UNHCR’s Registration and Refugee Status Determination
Units.
• In coordination with the Director of Unaccompanied Children and Youth Psychosocial Programs, maintain
and develop Refugee Legal Aid Program’s relationship with UNHCR’s Child Protection Unit.
• To regularly attend StARS management meetings and other management functions to foster close
coordination with other StARS programs.
• To regularly communicate and coordinate with Unaccompanied Children and Youth psychosocial services
management staff on changes in legal services for Unaccompanied Children and Youth clients, as well as
UNHCR procedures for Unaccompanied Children and Youth.
• To build and maintain relationships with psychosocial and education staff and operational partners.
• To communicate with refugee communities, other service providers, and UNHCR to facilitate the provision
of accurate information and advice leading to the fulfillment of refugee rights.
Supervisory
• In coordination with the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director, recruit, train, and
supervise the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team, including paid staff and volunteers.
• To complete tasks for and monitor progress on StARS’ strategic plan.
• To engage proactively in promoting wellbeing among volunteers and staff.
• To ensure high-quality legal advice and representation and a refugee-rights-based approach.
Finance/Administration
• To undergo probation and annual performance appraisals.
• To meet regularly with the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director regarding the work
of the Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid team.
• To revise the strategy for Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid in response to changing situations
and participate in annual work planning.
• In coordination with the and Refugee Legal Aid Program Director, Deputy Director and Program Assistant,
develop adequate monitoring and evaluation tools and ensure their implementation to assess efficiency
and impact of services.
Communication/Reporting
• To communicate regularly with the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director, reporting
on all major issues and developments in the field and within Refugee Legal Aid Program.
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Human Resources at St Andrew’s Refugee Services
• To be familiar with Refugee Legal Aid Program’s database program (RaMCIS) and accurately record and
follow up on all relevant case management.
• To provide case reporting data to the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director as
requested in order to accurately report work to senior management, funders, and others.
• To contribute to and draft operational activity reports for funders.
• In coordination with the Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director, monitor and analyze
trends relating to newly arriving Unaccompanied Children and Youth clients, as well as their legal needs.
• To promote information-sharing within Refugee Legal Aid Program and StARS on all issues affecting the
populations we serve.
Qualifications & Experience
The ideal candidate will be energetic, articulate, and comfortable interacting with diverse segments of
society. She or he will have demonstrated a firm commitment to human rights and refugee issues with
particular emphasis on children and young people.
Essential qualifications:
• English being the official language of UNHCR Cairo and StARS, the Refugee Legal Aid Program
Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator must be fluent in oral and written English.
• Master’s degree in a related field (international development, international law, development studies,
Middle East Studies) OR a qualified lawyer in any jurisdiction (J.D., LLB or equivalent) OR a minimum of
three years of experience in representing refugees in the resettlement or Refugee Status Determination
processes OR five years of experience providing direct representation to indigent people in any setting.
• Excellent legal research and drafting skills. Proven experience drafting client affidavits and legal
arguments, particularly on behalf of vulnerable clients.
• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines and procedures, regarding registration, Refugee Status Determination,
and resettlement.
• Knowledge of the general protection situation and vulnerabilities of refugees in Egypt, particularly
children and young people.
• A demonstrated commitment to, and sensitivity toward vulnerable or displaced people.
• Ability to live and work in a fluid security environment.
• Significant experience reviewing the work product of other lawyers.
• Ability to exercise sound legal judgment, well organized, self-motivated, and reliable.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team as well as individually.
• A positive attitude and sensitive manner when dealing with clients including a range of interviewing skills
for dealing with challenging scenarios, particularly in advocating for children and young people, survivors
of violence, trafficking, torture, and sexual and gender-based violence.
Desirable Characteristics:
• Fluency in Arabic or a refugee language is an advantage but not required.
• Experience representing vulnerable children and young people in legal proceedings.
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Human Resources at St Andrew’s Refugee Services
• Experience designing and conducting trainings for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Managerial experience or familiarity with volunteer oversight.
• Life and work experience in the Middle East and/or Egypt or with an urban refugee population.
Working Hours: The Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator is expected to be at work for
40 hours per week, between the hours of 9am and 5pm, from Sunday to Thursday. Longer hours, evening and
weekend work are sometimes necessary. Work will be conducted both in StARS premises and also in refugee
communities and centers.
Supervised by: Refugee Legal Aid Program Director and Deputy Director
Salary: 9,850 EGP/month, rising to 10,850 EGP/month following successful completion three-month
probationary period. Plus 4,020 EGP/year Health Coverage and 100 EGP/month Saving Scheme Contribution
upon completion of probationary period.
Additional official benefits as stipulated in StARS Staff Handbook Guidelines.
This position is subject to a three-month probationary period, at which time the employee’s performance will be
reviewed and probation may be extended.
Closing date for applications: 22 January 2022 (applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and
interviews may be scheduled prior to closing date).
Desired starting date: 1 March 2022
Initial contract term: 12-months, renewable by agreement of both parties.
To apply: Interested applicants should send a cover letter CV, and brief legal writing sample to
applications@stars-egypt.org All applications should provide contact information of two
professional/academic references (referees will only be contacted after Interviews). Please write
“Unaccompanied Children and Youth Legal Aid Coordinator” in the subject line.
Note: Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
For more information please open this link
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