Job Description

Vacancy Announcement: Refugees Status Determination (RSD) Appeal Lawyers (2 positions)

Position:                               (RSD) Appeal Lawyers (2 positions)

Duty Station:         Hargeisa, Somaliland-Occasional travel may be required for applicant’ meetings.

Duration:                               6 months (possibility of extension)

Start Date:                              10 July 2026

Issue Date:                              25 June 2026

Closing Date:                          04 July 2026

1. Background

Somaliland has made significant progress in establishing a legal and institutional framework to protect the rights and dignity of asylum seekers and refugees. The government’s commitment is grounded in adherence to international legal instruments, notably the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol, as well as the 1969 African (OAU) Refugee Convention. These conventions set international standards for the protection and assistance of individuals fleeing armed conflict, generalized violence, persecution, and other serious threats.

A major milestone was achieved on March 18, 2023, when Somaliland enacted the Refugee Law (Law No. 103/2023). This law domesticated key provisions of the 1951 Geneva Convention and established a formalized legal framework for refugee protection within Somaliland. It institutionalizes procedures for asylum and refugee status determination and strengthens the transparency and accountability of the asylum system.

To date, Somaliland is a host to over 18,000 individuals, registered as asylum seekers and refugees. While some refugees are granted asylum on a prima facie basis through Presidential decrees, others ——undergo individual Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures.

The Refugee Law establishes the RSD Committee under the Ministry of Resettlement and Humanitarian Affairs (MORHA), which is tasked with reviewing and endorsing on individual asylum applications. Importantly, the law provides rejected applicants the right to appeal administrative RSD decisions before the Supreme Court of Somaliland. The Supreme Court has the authority to confirm, set aside, remit (ab initio), or substitute these administrative decisions, thereby providing a critical judicial safeguard in the asylum process.

The purpose of the appeal procedures is to re-examine the negative RSD decision at first instance to assess whether it was based on a reasonable finding of fact and a correct application of the eligibility criteria for refugee status, in light of all the information available at the time of the decision, as well as any new information relevant to the claim, including information relating to a change in the Applicant’s personal circumstances or a change in the situation in their country of origin. The University of Hargeisa Legal Clinic’s Human Rights Department has, since 2006, been a cornerstone of protection and justice for forcibly displaced persons (FDPs) in Somaliland. In partnership with UNHCR, the department delivers free legal aid and direct court representation, while also safeguarding vulnerable groups through gender‑based violence (GBV) prevention, child protection, psycho‑social counseling, and safe housing. Beyond legal services, it strengthens community resilience through outreach, physiotherapy for people with specific needs, risk assessments, and distribution of relief items to those affected by drought and displacement. By combining legal expertise with holistic protection initiatives, the Clinic ensures that refugees, asylum seekers, returnees, IDPs, and marginalized host communities gain access to justice, safety, and dignity.

Within this context, the University of Hargeisa Legal Clinic (Human Rights Dep.) seeks to recruit two (2) Appeal Lawyers to provide specialized legal assistance including representation and case processing for rejected asylum seekers in the Supreme Court appeal process arising from administrative RSD decisions in the first instance RSD processing

These lawyers will play a vital role in ensuring access to justice and upholding the rule of law, due process, and procedural fairness in the national Refugee Status Determination (RSD) procedures and decisions affecting asylum and refugee status applicants within Somaliland. Their work will help ensure that rejected asylum seekers have effective access to legal remedies and that Somaliland’s commitment to both international and national refugee protection standards is upheld through transparent, fair, and legally sound processes.

1.  Purpose of the Assignment

The overall purpose of this assignment is to enable the Legal Clinic to provide effective legal support—including case assessment, legal analysis, drafting, and representation—for rejected asylum seekers in the Supreme Court review and appeal process arising from administrative RSD decisions.

Specifically, this assignment aims to recruit two capable Appeal Lawyers who will assist the Legal Clinic by:

• Conducting in-depth legal case interviews & assessments of RSD rejections by assessing negative first-instance RSD decisions through in-depth paper reviews or by conducting new, second-instance appeal interviews
• Providing expert legal analysis and advice,
• Drafting and submitting court pleadings and related documents,
• Representing clients/applicants effectively in the Supreme Court appeal and review process,
• Enhancing access to justice for rejected asylum seekers by evaluating whether the applicant's claim meets the criteria for international protection based on the 1951 Convention, applicable national legal framework and analyzing Country of Origin Information (COI), and applying legal standards to the facts.
• Providing clear information to asylum seekers about the appeal process, requirements, and deadlines (e.g., the standard window to submit an appeal application)

This assignment intends to strengthen the Legal Clinic’s capacity to support fair and thorough judicial review of asylum and refugee claims.

1.  Scope of Work

The appointed Appeal Lawyers will undertake the following responsibilities:

3.1  Case Intake and Legal Review

• Receive and examine referred case files, including all administrative RSD decision documents including RSD application form, interview transcript, first instance assessment, recommendation, RSD committee decision and applicant's written appeal statements to identify gaps, errors, or new evidence/elements and any other information provided by the Applicant in support of the appeal application. The lawyer should also consider any additional information or issues that were not considered at the first instance but which may affect the outcome of the claim, whether raised by the Applicant or not
• Serve as an independent reviewer to ensure all procedural and substantive legal standards were met during the initial assessment.
• Research and analyze current Country of Origin Information (COI) using trusted networks, human rights reports, and legal databases.  Assess each case’s viability for appeal based on:

ü  Legal and administrative grounds cited by the RSD first instance case worker and RSD Committee,

ü  Credibility assessments and evidentiary basis,

ü  Procedural fairness of the initial RSD process, and

ü  Identification of arguable legal or factual errors under the Somaliland National Refugee Act (2023) and relevant principles.

• Conduct face-to-face or remote second-instance interviews when necessary to clarify inconsistencies, assess credibility, or gather new facts especially when:

ü  The negative RSD decision was based on credibility findings that were not adequately addressed during the RSD Interview and supported in the RSD Assessment.

ü  Information that was relevant to the determination of the claim was presented by the Applicant but was not adequately considered in the RSD first instance Interview and the RSD assessment;

ü  New information regarding the personal circumstances of the Applicant or a change in the situation in the country of origin that is relevant to the assessment of the refugee status claim is raised in the appeal application or otherwise becomes available.

ü  The Appeal Application Form and/or the RSD Interview record and RSD Assessment, or other relevant information, indicate a breach of procedural fairness, which could have affected the ability of the Applicant to establish his or her claim.

• Prepare a comprehensive legal review memorandum recommending appeal strategies and key grounds for Supreme Court review.

3.2  Legal Representation in Supreme Court Proceedings

• Provide direct legal representation to rejected asylum seekers during Supreme Court hearings.
• Conduct consultations with clients/applicants and the Legal Clinic team to prepare for court appearances.
• Present oral and/or written arguments, ensuring clear and compelling advocacy of clients/applicant’ claims and contesting errors in administrative decisions.
• Process appeal backlogs within established timelines to reduce processing times for asylum seekers.

3.3  Drafting and Submission of Legal Documents

• Draft Supreme Court pleadings, including:

ü  Appeal or review petitions adhering to Somaliland Court procedures,

ü  Examine whether the first-instance rejection properly applied credibility standards, analyze if perceived inconsistencies were material or merely minor, and look at how the applicant explained them in the appeal draft.

ü  Structured statements of facts and chronological timelines,

ü  Detailed grounds for appeal addressing legal, factual, procedural, or evidentiary errors,

ü  Supporting annexes with administrative decisions and evidentiary documents.

• Write detailed, well-reasoned RSD Appeal Assessment, explicitly detailing the legal and factual basis for appealing the first instance decision.
• Finalize and submit documents to the Supreme Court.

3.4  Evidence Compilation and Case File Management

• Identify missing or inconsistent documents and evidentiary weaknesses.
• Compile a court-ready evidence bundle, ensuring proper organization, labeling, and referencing.
• Collaborate with the Legal Clinic to obtain additional supporting evidence (identity documents, witness statements, medical or threat reports, Country of Origin Information) when safe and appropriate.
• Ensure all evidence and submissions uphold client/applicant’s confidentiality and protection.
• Research independent, reliable, and up-to-date COI reports to see if the applicant's subjective fears align with the objective situation on the ground.

3.5  Client/Applicant Communication, Consent, and Protection

• Maintain confidential and respectful communication with clients/applicants.
• Secure informed consent for sharing information with the Legal Clinic and Court filings.
• Apply trauma-informed interviewing and safeguarding principles, especially for vulnerable clients/applicants such as women, children, and survivors of gender-based violence or trauma.

3.6  Collaboration and Additional Responsibilities:

• The recruited Appeal Lawyers will collaborate closely with other lawyers and case workers within the Legal Clinic’s Human Rights Department to ensure comprehensive legal support for clients/applicants.
• In addition to handling RSD appeal cases, the lawyers will represent clients/applicants in other legal matters handled by the department, including civil and criminal cases.
• They will actively participate as part of multidisciplinary teams involved in border protection, detention center, prison, and police station monitoring.
• Moreover, they will engage in joint desk counseling sessions and conduct client/applicant interviews to provide integrated legal and protection services.
• Additionally, the Appeal Lawyers will support the department’s outreach activities, including home visit assessments and protection incident interventions for forcibly displaced persons (FDPs). Through these collaborative and multifaceted roles, the lawyers will contribute significantly to the holistic protection and legal aid efforts of the Legal Clinic Human Rights Department.

3.7  Coordination, Reporting, and Case Monitoring

• Provide regular case progress updates to the Legal Clinic Program Manager.
• Participate in case strategy meetings and legal review sessions.
• Maintain accurate records of case documentation, court deadlines, client/applicant interactions, and outcomes.

1. Key Deliverables

For each assigned case, the Appeal Lawyers will deliver:

• Initial Legal Review Memorandum detailing case viability, strategic recommendations, and grounds for appeal.
• Draft Supreme Court pleadings for internal review and quality assurance.
• Final filed Supreme Court submissions including annexes and evidence bundles.
• Verified client/applicant statements and chronological fact summaries aligned with the administrative record.
• Periodic case progress reports and a comprehensive final outcome report upon conclusion of the Supreme Court appeal stage.

Experiences and Qualifications

Candidates must possess:

• A recognized law degree (LLB or equivalent); postgraduate studies in Human Rights or Refugee law is an asset.
• A valid professional legal license issued by the Somaliland Lawyers Licensing and Disciplinary Committee.
• At least 3 to 5 years of relevant legal practice experience in Somaliland.
• Demonstrated expertise in administrative law, judicial review processes, or refugee/asylum law and human rights.
• Proven legal drafting and advocacy skills, especially for Supreme Court or appellate litigation.
• Fluency in English and Somali is mandatory; proficiency in Amharic, Arabic, or Oromo is an asset.

1. Competencies

• Legal Expertise: Strong knowledge of refugee law, human rights, judicial review, and administrative legal frameworks.
• Human Rights Commitment: Dedication to protecting the rights of vulnerable populations.
• Communication Skills: Effective client/applicant engagement and courtroom advocacy.
• Ethical Standards: Integrity, confidentiality, and safeguarding awareness.
• Teamwork: Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary legal and support team.

1. Reporting Line and Supervision

• The Appeal Lawyers will report to the Legal Clinic -Human Rights Department, Program Manager.

1. Ethical Standards and Confidentiality

Appeal Lawyers must adhere to:

• Strict confidentiality and data protection principles.
• Informed consent protocols for client/applicant information sharing.
• Non-discriminatory and respectful treatment of all clients/applicants.
• Safeguarding measures for vulnerable clients/applicants.
• Avoidance of conflicts of interest.

1. Performance Indicators

Performance will be evaluated based on:

• Timeliness and quality of Supreme Court submissions.
• Legal soundness and persuasive strength of grounds for review.
• Completeness and meticulous organization of evidence bundles.
• Compliance with confidentiality and safeguarding standards.
• Effective coordination and responsiveness to Legal Clinic (human rights department) and client/applicant’s needs.

Skills Required

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