Organization Mission

UNHCR is mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees, asylum-seekers, stateless persons and other persons of concern, and to seek durable solutions to their displacement. In Thailand, where there is no national asylum framework, UNHCR works with partners to provide protection services, community-based protection, advocacy, and capacity-building to support persons who are stateless and refugees and asylum-seekers.

Context

Thailand is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol and does not have a comprehensive national asylum framework to regulate the presence of refugees and asylum-seekers. Nevertheless, the country has a long-standing practice of hosting individuals fleeing conflict and persecution from neighboring States, particularly Myanmar.

Refugees residing in the nine temporary shelters (camps) along the Thai-Myanmar border are primarily Karen, Karenni and other ethnic minority groups from Myanmar, many of whom have lived in Thailand since the mid-1980s after fleeing protracted conflict. In August 2025, the Royal Thai Government adopted a Cabinet Resolution granting camp-based registered refugees of working age access to legal employment, marking a significant milestone toward greater inclusion and self-reliance.

Multi-Country Office (MCO) Thailand pursues resettlement strategically as a complement to its broader protection and solutions strategy, which seeks to balance inclusion efforts, sustainable programming objectives, and targeted protection interventions. Resettlement case identification is guided by common protection profiles alongside individual case assessments. Priority groups include protracted Myanmar refugees residing in camps with specific needs and heightened protection concerns, including survivors of violence and/or torture, women and girls at risk, children at risk (including unaccompanied and separated children)

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Field Office with technical supervision from the Durable Solutions Officer, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks :

– Implement the resettlement SOPs, strengthening case identification and internal referrals through strengthened use of ProGres across the field office
– Develop durable solution workplan for the Field Office Mae Hong Son (FOMHS) outlining how the field office will meet durable solutions objectives including the number of refugees to be submitted for resettlement each month, quarterly, annually.
– Conduct durable solution interviews, ensuring that refugee interpreters are working with high levels of integrity.
– Review, prepare and submit Resettlement Referral Forms for further processing.
– Monitor durable solution activities to ensure progress against targets, transparency and efficiency in case submissions and appropriate follow up with stake holders.
– Suport child protection activities in FOMHS and develop a child protection workplan.
– Monitor UNHCR-funded partner conducting child protection activities (COERR). Contribute to the periodic reporting.
– Ensure that Best Interests Assessment (BIA)/Best Interests Determination (BIDs) are smoothly conducted. Act as BID supervisor.
– Ensure that all data and information is entered correctly into UNHCR’s database.
– Undertake field missions as required.
– Assist selection missions by resettlement countries.
– Systematically apply an Age, Gender, and Diversity perspective in all aspects of resettlement and child protection processes.
– Any other relevant work as clearly agreed with and assigned by the Supervisor.

Required Skills and Experience

Experience in :

– Ability to conduct interviews, to analyse and report on the situation of the beneficiaries. Research and analytical skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
– Previous work experience in the field of International Refugee Law and Human Rights Law. Experience in counselling asylum seekers or refugees. Experience in working with vulnerable or traumatized individuals.

Skills in :

– Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation.
– Reporting skills.
– Computer Literacy.

Core Competencies

– Accountability
– Adaptability and Flexibility
– Building Trust
– Client Orientation
– Commitment and Motivation
– Commitment to Continuous Learning
– Communication
– Creativity
– Empowering Others
– Ethics and Values
– Integrity
– Judgement and Decision-making
– Knowledge Sharing
– Leadership
– Managing Performance
– Planning and Organizing
– Professionalism
– Respect for Diversity
– Self-Management
– Technological Awareness
– Vision
– Working in Teams

Living Conditions

Mae Hong Son is a small local town, set in a beautiful valley surrounded by hills and rice paddies. River Pai flows on the outskirts of the town. Weather ranges from very hot (above 40C during the months of March – June) to mild (November – February). The rainy season is from mid-June to mid-October. The months of March and April are especially hot and smoky as farmers burn their field which results in extreme air pollutions.

Mae Hong Son is accessible by road; the most direct route is to take a flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and then a minivan to Mae Hong Son. The roads are well maintained, and it is a clean city. The daily market is full of local vegetables, fruits, and chicken, and pork meat. As Mae Hong Son is considered a small and remote province, the schools operate with Thai language. Work opportunities for spouses of international staff are limited. Mae Hong Son town is one of the most safe or criminal free towns. Mae Hong Son is classified as Category B family duty station without International Schooling and advanced medical facilities.