Vacancy in the International Protection Agency

Ref: IPA/2023/02

Jobsplus Permit Number: 621/2023

 The International Protection Agency was set up in August 2020, replacing the Office of the Refugee Commissioner. In terms of the International Protection Act, Chapter 420 of the Laws of Malta, it is the government entity responsible for receiving and examining applications for international protection.

1.      Job Profile

The Protection Officer I is primarily responsible for assisting applicants at Front Desk, assisting applicants lodge their application for international protection, providing information on the asylum procedure, assisting with the implementation of the Dublin Regulation procedure, interviewing applicants, conducting a legal analysis of the applicant’s claim, and drafting a decision on the application.

2.      Duties and responsibilities

The Protection Officer I will be working within any one of the following units: the Registration & Front Office Unit, or the Dublin Unit, or the Protection Unit, and will be responsible for the following tasks as applicable:

• Receive applicants for international protection daily at Front Desk to assist them with a variety of procedures, such as, the making of their applications for international protection, renewal of their Asylum Seeker’s Document, various queries, etc.
• Assist applicants with lodging their application for international protection by filling in the appropriate forms.
• Provide detailed information to the applicant on the registration process, the asylum procedure, the rights and obligations of applicants for international protection, the outcome of the application, and the rights and benefits emanating from international protection.
• Perform any task ancillary to the registration and lodging of the application for international protection.
• Perform any task ancillary to information provision.
• Assist in the effective running of the Dublin Unit under the direction of management.
• Conduct interviews with applicants for international protection for the purposes of the Dublin Regulation procedure.
• Determine, according to the criteria of the Dublin Regulation, which Member State is responsible for the examination of an application for international protection.
• Process incoming and outgoing requests in line with the Dublin Regulation and as instructed by management.
• Liaise with other stakeholders both locally and abroad involved in the Dublin process as directed by management.
• Perform any task ancillary to the Dublin Regulation procedure.
• Interview applicants for international protection according to established guidelines and standards.
• Carry out the necessary research in relation to the legal analysis relating to the granting of international or national protection.
• Conduct a legal analysis of the applicant’s claim according to applicable legislation and guidelines.
• Draft decisions relating to the granting and withdrawal of international or national protection, or relating to the discontinuation of an application, according to established legislation, guidelines, and standards.
• Update individual case records and relevant databases to ensure that all data and information is captured for analytical purposes.
• Perform any task ancillary to the assessment of an application for international protection.
• Attend training courses, meetings, seminars, conferences both locally and abroad, as required.
• Input information in relevant databases, ensure the regular updating of the databases and extract statistical information as required and directed by management.
• Participate in meetings as needed and take minutes of meetings.
• Perform office related duties such as, but not limited to, typing of documents, filing and minuting to ensure that information is recorded accurately and efficiently.
• Any other duty as instructed by management.

3.      Requirements

3.1  Eligibility

1. By the closing time and date of this call for applications, applicants must:

1. Be citizens of Malta; or
2. Be citizens of other Member States of the European Union who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters of employment by virtue of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or
3. Be citizens of any other country who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment by virtue of the application to that country of EU legislation and treaty provisions dealing with the free movement of workers; or
4. Be any other persons who are entitled to equal treatment to Maltese citizens in matters related to employment in terms of the law or the above-mentioned EU legislation and treaty provisions, on account of their family relationship with persons mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c); or
5. Be third country nationals who have been granted long-term resident status in Malta under regulation 4 of the “Status of Long-Term Residents (Third Country Nationals) Regulations, 2006” or who have been granted a residence permit under regulation 18(3) thereof, together with family members of such third country nationals who have been granted a residence permit under the “Family Reunification Regulations, 2007”.

The advice of the Department of Citizenship and Expatriate Affairs within the Identity Malta Agency should be sought as necessary in the interpretation of the above provisions.

The appointment of candidates referred to in (b), (c), (d) and (e) above would necessitate the issue of an employment licence in so far as this is required by the Immigration Act and subsidiary legislation. Jobsplus should be consulted as necessary on this issue.

2. Have an excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

3. Be in possession of a Level 6 qualification (Bachelor’s degree) in any of the following subjects/disciplines awarded by an accredited institution: law, migration, international relations, European studies, political science, sociology, anthropology, youth and community studies, criminology, history, gender studies, Mediterranean studies, Middle Eastern studies, social policy.

4. Meet the character requirements for the duties involved.[1]

3.2 Mandatory

1. Proven knowledge of international asylum law, the Common European Asylum System, and the national framework for asylum.
2. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and with strict timeframes.
3. Demonstrated ability to work within a high-standard and professional work environment.
4. Demonstrated willingness to work in a multicultural and diverse environment.
5. Proven ability to use databases and other electronic means of recording data.

3.3 Advantageous

1. Proven professional experience of at least one year full-time in the field of migration and/or asylum.
2. Proficiency in the Maltese language.
3. Proficiency in any one of the following languages: Arabic, French, Spanish. 

4.      Recruitment process

4.1 Identifying eligible applicants

After the deadline for submission of applications, the Selection Board will verify the submitted applications against the eligibility requirements described in the previous section. Applications satisfying these conditions will then be assessed against the mandatory and advantageous requirements listed in the previous section. Following this initial assessment, the Selection Board will assess the overall quality of the application and the applicant’s suitability for the post when compared to the established job profile.

The selection procedure may be organised online. In such case, further examination will be provided by IPA to candidates invited for an interview regarding the practical modalities for the assessment.

4.2 Evaluation during interviewing process

Candidates invited to the interviewing process (interview and written test) will be assessed on the basis of the mandatory and advantageous requirements described in sections 3.2 and 3.3, and the following additional criteria relevant to the post:

1. Excellent written and oral command of English.
2. Excellent drafting skills.
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
4. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines on multiple tasks.
5. Strong service-oriented attitude and flexibility.
6. Knowledge of the legal mandate of the International Protection Agency.

Please note that only candidates who are successful in all aspects of the interviewing process (interview with the Selection Board and the written test) will be included on the placement list.

5.      Verification of supporting documents

Only candidates who receive an offer letter will be required to present originals or certified copies of the documents listed below to confirm the accuracy and eligibility of the application against their supporting documents:

• A document proving their identity and citizenship.
• Academic qualifications mentioned in the application.
• Professional experience mentioned in the application.

Without prejudice to the above, a scanned copy of all supporting documentation confirming eligibility as listed above is to be submitted together with the completed IPA application form referred to in section 8.

6.      Establishing the placement list

A placement list will be established based on the outcome of the assessment phase and will remain valid for a period of one year from the date of its establishment.

Candidates are to note that inclusion on the reserve list does not guarantee recruitment. Recruitment will be based on availability of posts and budget.

7.      Conditions of employment

The Protection Officer I shall be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer, upon recommendation of the Selection Board, following the selection procedure. He/she will be recruited in line with Directive 7 as applicable to the International Protection Agency.

The appointment is subject to a probationary period of twelve (12) months.

The salary for the post of Protection Officer I is in Grade E, which in the year 2023 is equivalent to €24,629 per annum, rising by annual increments of €425 up to a maximum of €27,179, plus a non-pensionable allowance of €1,900 per annum.

8.      Application procedure

Interested candidates are required to fill in the IPA application form and send it in pdf format to recruitment@ipa.gov.mt by the 2^nd January, 2024 at 17:00 (CET). IPA will disregard any application received after this date and time. Applicants are strongly advised not to wait until the date of the deadline to submit their applications. IPA shall not be held responsible for any delays in submission of applications due to technical difficulties or any other factors that may arise.

If a candidate is found to have provided false information at any stage in the selection procedure, IPA is within its capacity to disqualify the candidate in question.

***

[1] Before appointment, the successful candidate shall be asked to provide proof of a non-existent criminal record.