Senior Project Assistant, Cultural Orientation
JOB DETAIL
The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to thousands of refugees 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 Mobility Pathways and Inclusion, 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.
Under the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) provide critical support and processing assistance 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 several RSCs which prepare applications for adjudication by and provide support to visiting US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, facilitate security and medical screenings, provide information about arriving individuals to resettlement agencies in the US and offer Cultural Orientation (CO) training to individuals departing for the US.
Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the successful candidate will be based in Lima, Peru and will have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Oversee a team of RSC LA staff members undertaking cultural orientation activities in an assigned area or areas, such as training, scheduling or childcare assistance, 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 LA 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 LA, 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 START 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 LA, including, if assigned, overseeing staff members providing childcare assistance, ensuring childcare assistance is 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 START 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.
1. Oversee a team of RSC LA staff members undertaking cultural orientation activities in an assigned area or areas, such as training, scheduling or childcare assistance, 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 LA 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 LA, 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 START 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 LA, including, if assigned, overseeing staff members providing childcare assistance, ensuring childcare assistance is 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 START 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 START 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, liaise as needed with other teams and units in RSC LA 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 efficiently and effectively manage and undertake activities related to cultural orientation training, scheduling and childcare and to oversee cultural orientation teams and activities.
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 START, 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.
- Completed secondary education required
- Six years of working experience with secondary education; four years of working experience with Bachelor’s degree
- Thorough knowledge of English
- Ability to use own initiative and work under pressure with minimum supervision
- Excellent computer skills – Word, Excel and Internet
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Attention to detail and ability to organize
- Self-motivated and objective driven
- Experience providing training, teaching and developing educational curriculums is an advantage
REQUIRED
The official languages of IOM are English, French, and Spanish; all staff members are required to be proficient in Spanish and English.
DESIRABLE
Working knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is an advantage.
- Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
- Integrity and transparency: Maintains 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.
- Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
- Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
- Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
- Delivering results: Produces 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 actions and delegated work.
- Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
- 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 leadership and professional potential.
- Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
- Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
- Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
- Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.
- Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
- This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.
- This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a valid residence and work permit for the country where this position is based will be eligible for consideration.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, verification of residency, visa, and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable. Vaccination against COVID-19 will be required for IOM personnel who are hired or otherwise engaged by IOM. As part of the mandatory medical entry on duty clearance, candidates will be requested to provide evidence of full vaccination.
- IOM does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training or other fee). IOM does not request any information related to bank accounts.
- IOM only accepts duly completed applications submitted through the IOM online recruitment system. The online tool also allows candidates to track the status of their application.
