SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Adjudicate a claim for refugee status 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
264680  Adjudicate a claim for refugee status 
ORIGINATOR
Task Team - Home Affairs 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  10 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This Unit Standard is intended for learners in the Department of Home Affairs who deal with Refugee Reception and Status Determination particularly Refugee Status Determination Officers (RSDOs). It will be useful for new employees and for employees who are already in service, but do not have formal qualifications and are therefore unable to progress within the Department. It should enable learners to provide efficient services while complying with relevant legislation and regulations.

The qualifying learner is capable of:
  • Explaining migration patterns in the context of Refugee Affairs.
  • Researching a country of origin.
  • Explaining different interview techniques.
  • Interview an asylum seeker to obtain additional information.
  • Making a decision relating to refugee status. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner has the following knowledge and skills:
  • Communication at NQF Level 4. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Adjudication to determine the eligibility of an asylum seeker or refugee. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Explain migration patterns in the context of Refugee Affairs. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The concept of migration is explained with reference to push and pull factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Current events that may indicate possible migration trends are analyse from the media. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Media includes, but is not limited to, television, radio, print, digital and electronic media including and Amnesty International reports.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Research a country of origin. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Background information on a selected country of origin is accessed from electronic and other sources with reference to the political, economic, social and health situation and the judiciary. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Sources include, but are not limited to, Google, Google Earth, All Africa, Refworld, the United States Department of State and the United Kingdom Home Office.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Information on a local area is accessed from maps and satellite sources. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Information includes, but is not limited to, streets, schools, cities, airports, churches, human activities in the area and local events.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Information from the research is used to formulate questions to obtain information required to establish the authenticity of a claim. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain different interview techniques. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Techniques used in interviewing are explained with reference to establishing rapport, active listening, questioning and analysing verbal and non-verbal responses. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The adaptation of interview techniques to meet changing situations is explained with reference to controlling the interview, obtaining information, evaluating the information against the facts of the application and adapting the interview to accommodate traumatised or depressed individuals. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Techniques for dealing with foreign language speakers are discussed with reference to the use of official and unofficial interpreters. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Techniques for interviewing unaccompanied minors are explained with reference to the role of the Department of Social Development. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Techniques for interviewing physically challenged individuals are explained with examples. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Interview an asylum seeker to obtain additional information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The rights of an asylum seeker are explained with reference to supporting documentation, the right of appeal, the right to representation and the right to an interpreter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The attitude and approach of the applicant is assessed to inform the direction of the interview. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Verbal and non-verbal communication is analysed to infer truthfulness, co-operation and possible deception. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Probing questions are asked to obtain specific information and achieve the purpose of the adjudication. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Responses are analysed for consistency with the country information. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The affects of preconceived assumptions, prejudice and stereotyping and issues of diversity on an interview situation are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7 
    The credibility of an applicant is assessed and a decision about credibility is made and substantiated based on available evidence. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5 
    Make a decision relating to refugee status. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Knowledge of legislation and case law, information from the interview, research and the application are applied to inform a decision relating to refugee status. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    A decision may be unfounded, manifestly unfounded, exclusion, cession or approval.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The decision is reported and substantiated according to departmental guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The rights of appeal are explained with reference to a specific decision. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency, assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    The learner is able to identify and solve problems in which responses show that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made in making a decision about asylum seeker or refugee status. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    The learner is able to work effectively with others as a member of a team in interacting with applicants and colleagues in authenticating a claim for asylum. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    The learner is able to organise and manage him/herself and his/her activities responsibly and effectively in adjudicating claims. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    The learner is able to collect, organise and critically evaluate information in researching a country of origin and interviewing an applicant. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
  • The learner is able to demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation in understanding the dangers of stereotyping and reasons for migration. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING 
    The learner is able to demonstrate cultural sensitivity across a range of social contexts in dealing with applicants and asking probing questions to adjudicate a claim for refugee status. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  66869   National Certificate: Home Affairs Services  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  PSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.