Legal volunteer
LGBTI-refugees flee from homo- and transphobic societies seeking legal protection. The asylum procedure in the Netherlands can be complicated and overwhelming. As a legal volunteer, you provide legal assistance to clients throughout the asylum procedure and buttress their asylum application based on provided source material. Do you want to make a difference in the lives of LGBTI-refugees throughout their stay in asylum centres? Do you want to prevent LGBTI-refugees from repatriation? Do you scrutinise extensive case files and rely on critical thinking? Then you may be our new legal volunteer!
Responsibilities
The asylum procedure falls under the responsibility of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA). In order to establish the validity of asylum requests by LGBTI-refugees, the IND carries out individual credibility assessments by virtue of a working instruction. As a legal volunteer, you prepare the case file of individual clients for court hearings in collaboration with associated parties such as asylum advocates, fellow NGO’s and stakeholders.
While the IND establishes the validity of asylum requests, the COA is responsible for allocating asylum seekers throughout asylum centres in the Netherlands. Throughout their stay in asylum centres, LGBTI-refugees live in precarity and at the mercy of a hostile environment. In case of acute emergencies, transgressions and safety violations, the COA enforces its rules and procedures to maintain the safety of asylum seekers. As a legal volunteer, you provide advice about the rules and procedures in relation to individual clients and see to their accordance.
What do we ask of you?
- You have a legal background and/or experience with asylum law
- You have experience or affinity with LGBTI-refugees
- You are open-minded to people of different cultural backgrounds
- You are able to relate to LGBTI-refugees
- You are resilient and able to cope with work-related stress
- You rely on critical thinking
- You are able to work independently, but also as part of a team
- You are fluent in Dutch and English
- You are in possession of a properly functioning computer and are familiar with digital working environments
- You are available on an 8-16 hour per week basis
What do we offer you?
- You will be part of a dedicated team of volunteers, looking out for your personal growth and stimulate initiative
- You will provide life-changing support to LGBTI-refugees
- You are invited to participate in annually organised LGBTI-events
Do you want to join our team?
Fill the form by clicking the button or send an email to info@lgbtasylumsupport.nl
Join us!
