Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

A (least hardship)

Family

UNOPS LICA4

2024-10-01

September 23, 2024

This position will be located in David, Chiriqui.

Please note that this position is offered under UNOPS LICA contract at LICA-4 level until 31 December 2024, with possible extension subject to budget, good performance and operational needs.
Persons interested in applying for this position must be legally present in Panama at the time of recruitment and must comply with all eligibility requirements for employment in line with the prevailing legislative prerequisites in the country and demonstrate a proof of residency and/or work permit for the said country at the time of application.

The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

Levels of language knowledge:
A1-beginner
A2-elementary
B1-lower intermediate
B2-upper intermediate
C1-advanced/proficient
C2-fluent
English and Spanish are required at the B2 level.

I. Background and Context

According to Article No. 16 of Executive Decree No. 5 of January 16, 2018, “the National Office for the Care of Refugees (ONPAR), under the Ministry of Government, will be responsible for coordinating and executing the decisions made by the National Commission for Refugee Protection (hereinafter CONARE), as well as for refugee care and protection programs.”

One of the functions assigned to ONPAR through the legal instrument mentioned in the previous paragraph is to process applications for refugee status recognition, which includes receiving applications, conducting interviews, creating files, analyzing, and drafting reports on cases to be presented for recognition before CONARE. Additionally, ONPAR provides psychosocial guidance to asylum seekers and recognized refugees, ensuring that identified needs are addressed and referred to the appropriate actors for case follow-up.

The Province of Chiriquí, located on the border of Panama and Costa Rica, has historically been an access point to Panamanian territory for people forced to flee their country of origin in search of international protection.

Currently, Chiriquí is home to a significant number of recognized refugees and asylum seekers, who find it difficult to carry out their procedures before ONPAR due to the costs associated with traveling to Panama City, considering the distance from the communities where they reside and the difficulty of leaving them.

On the other hand, the year 2023 marked a historic milestone with the entry of more than 500,000 refugees and migrants into Panamanian territory through the border with Colombia, among them a considerable number of people with international protection needs.

In accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between UNHCR and MINGOB, signed on November 29, 2022, regarding the provision of technical assistance through the temporary assignment of personnel, the structure of ONPAR will continue to be strengthened to improve and enhance its capacities and promote the quality of the asylum system in Panama through the hiring of an Eligibility Responsible to cover the border with Costa Rica and the Province of Chiriquí.

II. Specific Objectives and Functions of the Eligibility Responsible

Objective No. 1: Eligibility Interviews and Case Management
• Register refugee status applications from individuals who have entered Panamanian territory through the border with Costa Rica.
• Conduct eligibility interviews with asylum seekers to gather all necessary information for credibility analyses within and outside the ONPAR Office.
• Create a physical and digital file for each refugee status application, containing all information and/or documentation provided by the applicant.
• Conduct additional interviews with asylum seekers when more information is needed.
• Maintain contact and foster coordination with local authorities to ensure the respect of rights, obligations, and protection of asylum seekers, recognized refugees residing in Chiriquí, and their respective family units.

Objective No. 2: Case Analysis and Evaluation Reports
• Develop credibility analyses of refugee status recognition applications based on the information/documentation provided by the applicant and country of origin information.
• Draft resolutions for case admission, as appropriate, clearly reflecting a legal analysis of the elements of the refugee definition in accordance with applicable national and international legislation.
• Issue the corresponding notifications.
• Prepare evaluation reports for CONARE.
• Stay updated on the situation in the countries of origin of asylum seekers and recognized refugees.

Objective No. 3: Assistance to Recognized Refugees and Asylum Seekers Residing in the Province of Chiriquí
• Provide assistance to recognized refugees and asylum seekers residing in the Province of Chiriquí for procedures that require ONPAR’s support (document renewal, obtaining work permits, obtaining permanent residency, various certifications, obtaining travel documents, among others).

Objective No. 4: Related Activities
• Conduct monitoring visits to Temporary Reception Stations (ETRM) located in San Vicente and Lajas Blancas, host/transit communities, as well as any other space or community where people part of Mixed Movements and/or individuals with international protection needs transit or are housed.
• Stay informed about the situation of mixed movements entering Panamanian territory from Colombia through the Darién National Park, as well as individuals entering through the border with Costa Rica as part of the reverse flow.
• Refer vulnerable individuals with international protection needs and special needs to appropriate organizations and/or authorities for proper attention.
• Provide assistance and advice on refugee status and the procedure for its recognition.
• Conduct missions to host communities for the follow-up and attention of refugees to strengthen local integration opportunities and access to basic rights.
• Periodically, or upon request, submit reports on actions carried out from the ONPAR field office for the preparation of corresponding reports and statistics.
• If required, and with prior approval from the Director of ONPAR, support UNHCR, its partners, and the Ombudsman’s Office in any additional tasks related to attention, guidance, and advice on the refugee status recognition procedure, as well as the rights and duties of refugees and asylum seekers.
• Perform any additional tasks requested for the protection of refugees and asylum seekers in Chiriquí, as well as carry out all necessary activities to successfully perform their duties.

III. Workplace and Supervision
The hired individual will be physically located in the Province of Chiriquí. Due to the responsibilities inherent to the position, the Eligibility Responsible will need to travel to various border points between Panama and Costa Rica, both in the Province of Chiriquí and Bocas del Toro.
The Eligibility Responsible will be under the supervision of the Director General of the National Office for the Care of Refugees (ONPAR) and must adhere to the working hours and guidelines of the institution.

IV. Profile and Requirements
Education and Knowledge Level
• Preferably with a university degree in Law and Political Science in the Republic of Panama or in the final year of such a degree.
• Knowledge of laws, codes, and other legal provisions governing the Panamanian legal-administrative and procedural system, as well as international conventions on human rights and international protection.
• Knowledge of the situation of mixed movements entering Panamanian territory through the Darién National Park and the border with Costa Rica.
Work Experience
• Experience in international protection, refugee protection, and migration is desirable.
• Knowledge of the situation of refugees in Panama.
• Knowledge of the situation in the main countries of origin of people entering Panamanian territory through the border with Colombia.
Other Skills
• Proactive attitude for conflict resolution and difficulties in the development of their functions.
• Good writing and synthesis skills, ability to analyze context.
• Proven experience in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Standard Job Description

Required Languages

English

,

Spanish

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Other information

This position doesn’t require a functional clearance

Home-Based

No