Higher Occupational Certificate: Refugee Status Determination Officer

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Refugee Status Determination Officer (RSDO).

An RSDO adjudicates asylum seeking applications to determine and grant or reject refugee status in accordance with the Refugees Act, 1998 (Act no 130 of 1998 as amended in 2017) and its regulations of 2000 with all the amendments.

RSDOs distinguish fraudulent applications, detect identity theft and refer fraudulent applications for investigation, thus strengthening the national security, protecting the sovereignty of the state and communities from potentially corrupt individuals and abuse of asylum processes. Typical graduate attributes the learner will acquire include critical analysis, critical thinking, good communication skills and non-adversarial demeanour towards asylum seekers and refugees.

A qualified learner will be able to

• Authenticate asylum seeker applications using various techniques to identify authentic versus fraudulent documentation.
• Process asylum seeker applications and determine refugee status in compliance with legal prescripts.
• Execute general administrative duties and responsibilities related to refugee status determination.
• Execute refugee reception duties in compliance with legal prescripts.

Rationale

States that are party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and/or do have a fair and efficient national asylum procedure in place, have the primary responsibility to conduct Refugee Status Determination (RSD). International refugee protection in Africa is governed by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Convention, which in itself is a humanitarian response to the individual as well as the mass character of the refugee phenomenon in Africa. Globally, international refugee protection is governed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The UNHCR also ensures the integrity of resettlement operations by creating and implementing anti-fraud mechanisms and processes. Asylum seeking and refugee status are a growing global phenomenon, impacting severely on host countries. The growing need for international protection and compliance with international human rights obligations, requires state parties to the Convention to put measures in place to build capacity in terms of the asylum-seeking and refugee adjudication systems, hence the identified need to ensure that Refugee Status Determination Officers (RSDOs) provide relevant and professional services in compliance with international standards and obligations.

Refugee influx and settlements can have a negative and positive impact on the economy and society of the host country. Host countries can positively benefit from skilled asylum seekers and refugees and diversity of cultures, strengthening national brain gain and economic development. On the other hand, asylum and international protection, if not properly managed, can lead to the abuse of asylum management system, straining public and private services, displacing nationals from the employment market and undermine social cohesion.

It is within this context that the RSDO plays an important role in the adjudication of applications for asylum from persons fleeing persecutions from their countries of origin, in need of international protection.

It is important that RSDOs must apply risk-based approach when examining applications, documentations and undertake interviews to adjudicate asylum seekers' applications consistently with relevant national legislations and international law.

RSDOs must ensure that RSD related services, reception, registration and decision making are carried out in compliance with international conventions and treaties.

The Higher Occupational Certificate: Refugee Status Determination Officer at NQF Level 5 has been specifically designed for the South African Department of Home Affairs (DHA) officials. This qualification is aimed at learners employed as RSDOs and those who intend to pursue a career specifically within the refugee affairs discipline.

It provides learners with opportunities for professional development and career advancement within the broader constituencies of the Safety in Society community that will contribute to providing a safe and secure environment for all the people in the Republic of South Africa. Even though RSDOs currently employed at DHA are the main target group, as the need arises, unemployed youth may also enrol to serve the aims of the National Development Plan (NDP).

Other registered qualifications related to administrative functions at NQF Level 5 are generic in nature, while this occupational qualification is a fit-for-purpose qualification ensuring that learners develop an in-depth understanding of the national and international legislation and conventions; risks associated with this occupation and that the Sovereignty of State is maintained. The DHA is the only Department mandated in terms of legislation to provide this service in compliance with South Africa's international obligation.

Learning typical pathways provided by this qualification will enable learners the opportunity for professional development and career advancement within the broader constituencies of the Safety in Society through further studies in the area of Paralegal Practice and Policing.These learners will contribute to providing a safe and secure environment for all the people in the Republic of South Africa. Refugee Status Determination Officers can also embark on a management career in immigration services and support the desired organisational transformation and positively influence service delivery.

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules

Knowledge Modules

• 335903-000-00-KM-01, Asylum Seekers and Refugee Affairs, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-02, Legal Framework Relating to the Status of Refugees and Asylum Seekers, Level 5, 7 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-03, Batho Pele, Professional Conduct and Ethics, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-04, Researching for Refugee Status Determination and Asylum-seeking Applications, Level 5, 3 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-05, Identity Fraud, Corruption and Forensic Questioned Documents, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-06, Prevention and Detection of Fraudulent Activities, Level 5, 3 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-07, Adjudication of Asylum Seeker and Refugee Applications, Level 5, 7 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-08, Risk Management, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-09, Record Keeping, Safe-Keeping and Handling of Face-Value Documents and Stamps, Level 5, 3 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-10, General Administration and Effective Resource Management, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-11, Professional Skills and Personal Development, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-12, Emotional Intelligence, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-13, Internal and External Client Relations, Level 5, 3 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-KM-14, Refugee Reception Officer Duties, Level 5, 3 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 57

Practical Skill Modules

• 335903-000-00-PM-01, Apply Prescripts of Legal Framework when Offering Services to Asylum Seekers and Refugees, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-PM-02, Authenticate Asylum Seeker Applications for Refugee Status Determination, Level 5, 8 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-PM-03, Determine Authenticity and Assess Asylum Seeker Applications, Level 5, 6 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-PM-04, Determine asylum seeker and refugee status and handle post-adjudication processes, Level 5, 4 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-PM-05, Liaise with Internal and External Clients, Level 5, 8 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-PM-06, Conduct General Administration in the Chief Directorate, Level 5, 8 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-PM-07, Provide Refugee Reception Services (RRO), Level 5, 8 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skills Modules: 46

Work Experience Modules

• 335903-000-00-WM-01, Asylum Seeker Authentication Processes, Level 5, 6 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-WM-02, Refugee Status Determination Processes, Level 5, 12 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-WM-03, General administrative duties and responsibilities, Level 5, 8 Credits.
• 335903-000-00-WM-04, Refugee Reception Processes, Level 5, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 30

1. Conduct refugee status determination functions in compliance with the prescripts of the legislative framework.
2. Authenticate and process asylum seeker applications for refugee status determination in accordance with the prescripts of the legislative framework.
3. Conduct general administration functions in terms of the Refugees Act and other legislations ensuring safe-keeping of confidential information and face-value documentation.
4. Implement work processes in accordance with the principles of Batho-Pele, ensuring professionalism, code of conduct and ethics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

ELO1: Conduct refugee status determination functions in compliance with the prescripts of the legislative framework.

• Interpret current legislation, regulations and apply policies to protect the country's integrity.
• Apply knowledge of human rights as contained in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in the execution of international refugee protection.
• Analyse and interpret current legislation to determine its impact in the workplace and in the execution of daily functions.
• Interpret and apply international conventions to execute South Africa's international obligations in terms of conventions and treaties.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

ELO2: Authenticate and process asylum seeker applications for refugee status determination in accordance with the prescripts of the legislative framework.

• Conduct research on the country of origin and subsequent interviews to verify authenticity of applications.
• Examine documentation and applications thoroughly.
• Interview asylum seekers to distinguish fraudulent applications and identity theft.
• Refer fraudulent asylum applications for investigation.
• Show proper application of prescripts of legal frameworks when processing and adjudicating asylum cases.
• Scrutinise forensically flagged application documents to determine authenticity.
• Prepare submissions to the Standing Committee for Refugee Affairs (SCRA) on erroneously and fraudulently issue asylum status, and where conditions and circumstances in the country of origin have improved.
• Conduct case management monitoring and reporting on statistics related to pending caseload, processing capacity, trends in decision-making and profiles of asylum seekers.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

ELO3: Conduct general administration functions in terms of the Refugees Act and other legislations ensuring safe-keeping of confidential information and face-value documentation.

• Apply and maintain confidentiality of information in terms of the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act and Minimum Information Security Standards (MISS) classifications.
• Administer, protect and manage the handling of face-value documents and stamps in accordance with organisational procedures.
• Maintain assets register ensuring security of face-value documents.
• Execute functions related to finances, human resources and procurement ensuring efficiency and optimisation of the use of resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

ELO4: Implement work processes in accordance with the principles of Batho-Pele, ensuring professionalism, code of conduct and ethics.

• Implement work processes in accordance with the principles of Batho-Pele to promote performance, achieving set goals and objectives and ensuring quality service delivery.
• Apply professional values and ethics in the execution of daily functions.
• Apply professional conduct through managing stress levels in personal and work situations.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Integrated Formative Assessment

The Skills Development Providers will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated External Summative Assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment

An External Integrated Summative Assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required to issue this qualification. The External Integrated Summative Assessment will focus on the Exit Level Outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria. Additional to the written assessment the learner must also submit a portfolio of evidence compiled of outcomes achieved in the workplace.