The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of individuals each year. IOM provides a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), specifically the Resettlement and Movement Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight, and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.
POST DESCRIPTION
I. Position Information
Position title
Senior Project Assistant, Cultural Orientation
Position grade
G6
Duty station
San Jose, Costa Rica
Position number
TBC
Job family
Operations
Organizational unit
US Refugee Admissions Program, RSC
Is this a Regional, HQ, MAC, PAC, Liaison Office, or Country Office based position?
Country Office
Position rated on
2016
Reports directly to
Project Coordinator, RSC Costa Rica
Number of Direct Reports
1
II. Organizational Context and Scope
The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of individuals each year. IOM provides a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), specifically the Resettlement and Movement Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight, and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.
Context:
Under the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) provides critical support and processing services for resettlement to the US. As part of an MOU between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages the RSC for Latin America (LA). RSC LA prepares applications for adjudication by and provides support to visiting US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, facilitates security and medical screenings, provides information about arriving individuals to resettlement agencies in the US and offers Cultural Orientation (CO) training to individuals departing for the US.
Under the general supervision of the Senior Project Coordinator Remote Sites, RSC LA and the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, RSC Costa Rica, the successful candidate will be based in San Jose, Costa Rica and will have the following duties and responsibilities: III. Responsibilities and Accountabilities
1. Oversee a team of RSC Costa Rica staff members undertaking cultural orientation activities in an assigned area or areas, such as training, scheduling, or childcare services, including supporting staff development processes such as hiring, providing training, assigning duties and giving feedback to staff members on their performance on a regular basis to ensure high quality work and the accurate completion of cultural orientation activities.
2. In relation to cultural orientation training, oversee training activities, prepare staff members to provide training for a range of resettlement countries and provide technical assistance and support as they undertake training activities. As needed, conduct training throughout the region, draft training lesson plans in accordance with RSC Costa Rica cultural orientation objectives, ensure that student-centered activities are featured in all cultural orientation classes throughout the region, assist in the development of teaching materials, visual aids and bulletin boards supporting the curriculum, maintain inventories of instructional supplies and order required materials on a regular basis.
3. Oversee cultural orientation scheduling activities for RSC Costa Rica, including, if assigned, ensuring that all individuals requiring cultural orientation classes are provided with the opportunity to attend, that circuit rides are planned and carried out in an efficient and effective manner and that logistical circuit ride support is provided when necessary. Train staff members undertaking cultural orientation scheduling on using WRAPS and reports to monitor relevant pipelines and plan cultural orientation circuit rides and monitor their work on a regular basis.
4. Oversee cultural orientation childcare activities for RSC Costa Rica , including, if assigned, overseeing staff members providing childcare services, ensuring childcare services are in line with the quality standards of RSC LA, ensuring childcare spaces are appropriate, adequate and well-maintained, training childcare staff members to conduct basic cultural orientation activities designed for children and monitoring the work of childcare staff members.
5. Through oversight and quality check (QC) measures, ensure WRAPS is updated as needed with cultural orientation related information, including scheduling data and case updates. Assist supervisors with producing regular reports on cultural orientation activities, including program narratives and statistical reports.
6. Utilizing reports, oversee and conduct regular QC of case files and data in WRAPS to ensure the accuracy of all case information, the RSC’s compliance with all USRAP and RSC SOPs and that processing pipelines are as short and efficient as possible, with expedited cases progressing as needed.
7. In coordination with the Project Coordinator, RSC Costa Rica, liaise as needed with other teams and units in RSC Costa Rica and with external partners such as USCIS, the Refugee Processing Center (RPC), panel physicians, the US Embassy and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Prepare team statistics and report regularly to RSC LA management on relevant activities, problems and solutions related to the workflow and processing pipeline.
8. Train other cultural orientation team members as needed to manage and undertake activities related to cultural orientation training, scheduling and childcare and to oversee cultural orientation teams and activities efficiently and effectively.
9. In order to develop and maintain cultural orientation training-related skills, participate in and contribute to teacher trainings and staff development seminars and engage in self-directed study for professional development, including reading resettlement updates, language tutorials, attending cultural orientation-related workshops and seminars.
10. Undertake duty travel as needed to conduct activities related to cultural orientation, for meetings and to participate in training.
11. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the USRAP, SOPs and WRAPS, as well as the ability to remain professional, impartial and unbiased during all interactions with applicants, colleagues and partners. Support the development and implementation of SOPs as needed.
12. Maintain and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all RSC-related information by implementing control procedures in line with USRAP standards of conduct and data protection rules. Alert RSC management of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by RSC staff members.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
IV. Required Qualifications and Experience
Education
- University degree in Social Science, International Relations, Regional Studies, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with four years of relevant professional experience.
OR
- High school degree with six years of relevant professional experience.
Experience
- Experience providing training, teaching and developing educational curriculums is an advantage
- Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations.
- Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners.
- Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives.
SKILLS
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to use own initiative and work under pressure with minimum supervision
- Excellent computer skills – Word, Excel and Internet
- Attention to detail and ability to organize.
- Self-motivated and objective driven
V. Languages
Required
(Specify the required knowledge)
Desirable
Fluency in English and Spanish (oral and written): VI. Competencies
The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies: Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:
- Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
- Integrity and transparency: maintain high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results produce and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
- Managing and sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge, and innovate.
- Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
- Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.
Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2
- Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example, and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
- Empowering others & building trust creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Strategic thinking and vision: work strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
The application must include:
- Curriculum in English.
- Letter of interest in English.
- In case of receiving applications from foreigners living in Costa Rica, they must submit their work permit.
The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of individuals each year. IOM provides a range of services and support to the USRAP including, but not limited to, case processing, migration health assessments, cultural orientation training, organized transportation and administration of a travel loan and collections program. The Department of Operations and Emergencies (DOE), specifically the Resettlement and Movement Division (RMM), has the organizational responsibility to provide direction, oversight, and guidance to IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.