Ambrose Chiu

Experience

• 

  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

  Sept 2009 - now

  As the sole member of the Protection Unit, my responsibilities in ensuring refugee protection in both the Hong Kong and Macao SARs are wide-ranging. These include:- Monitoring and analysing data relating to refugee protection, in particular the implementation of asylum legal frameworks in both SARs, responding to developments and proposing remedial measures;- Reviewing screening decisions referred by the authorities, claimants and lawyers;- Intervening in cases of refoulement, expulsion and other protection incidents;- Conducting refugee status determination (RSD) for cases of exclusion, cancellation and cessation in Hong Kong, and providing RSD support for other UNHCR operations;- Assessing the individual needs of refugees and working to secure durable solutions, largely through resettlement to a third country;- Developing and delivering initiatives to strengthen the capacities of Government authorities, legal representatives and relevant institutions to improve quality of asylum processing;- Analysing and reporting on local political, social, economic and cultural developments that have an impact on the protection environment;- Researching country of origin information and related legal issues to provide support for the implementation of national asylum frameworks in accordance with international and UNHCR standards;- Applying International and National Law and applicable UN/UNHCR and IASC policy, standards and practices, and ensuring that they are effectively and accurately articulated when necessary;- Engaging in outreach activities through presentations with academic institutions;- Promoting measures to identify, prevent and reduce statelessness.I am also responsible for certain administrative duties, including the preparation of requisitions, purchasing orders and the facilitation of payroll and other operations-related payments. I am a serving member of the Regional Assignments Committee and the Local Committee of Contract Show less As a member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team I was responsible for conducting RSD interviews to determine eligibility for refugee status, reviewing RSD assessments by other members of the team, undertaking Country of Origin (COI) and other research related to asylum claims as and when required, and drafting RSD assessments that are compliant with established international standards. I analysed past data to inform the development of new strategies to address RSD needs and contribute to the development of the country protection strategy. In collaboration with external experts, I developed and implemented trainings and other measures to enhance the quality and efficiency of RSD decision-making, in recent years extending the trainings to develop the technical skills and capacities of legal representatives as well as decision-makers (Immigration officers and Appeal Judges) in the Government screening mechanism. Operating and monitoring the development of the asylum process in Macao, I was also required to provide cross-border RSD support to operations in the region if and when required. Show less A member of the Refugee Status Determination (RSD) team, I conducted RSD interviews to determine eligibility for refugee status, undertaking Country of Origin (COI) and other research related to the asylum claims, as required, and drafted RSD assessments. I provided counselling to asylum seekers and refugees on UNHCR's RSD procedures and on their status, rights and obligations in the country of asylum. I also assisted in the development and implementation of specific processing tools to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of RSD as conducted in the Hong Kong SAR. Show less

  • Senior Repatriation Officer

    Mar 2023 - now

  • Executive Assistant to the Representative to Syria

    May 2021 - now

  • Associate Protection Officer

    Apr 2018 - Oct 2021

  • Assistant Protection Officer

    Apr 2016 - Apr 2018

  • Assistant Refugee Status Determination Officer

    May 2013 - Mar 2016

  • Refugee Status Determination Associate

    Jan 2012 - May 2013

  • Assistant Resettlement Officer

    Jan 2011 - Dec 2011

  • Protection Counsellor

    Sept 2009 - Dec 2010