Position Title: Operations Focal Point (Field Support, Airport)

Duty Station: IOM JFK, New York, United States (USRAP)

Classification: Grade G5 (10 positions)

Type of Appointment: Fixed term, one-year contract with possibility of extension, Full-Time (100%) Appointment is subject to funding confirmation.

Eligibility: US citizens and residents only (work visa or authorizations not permitted)

Estimated Start Date: As Soon As Possible

Salary: $5508.33 (Monthly)

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of refugees each year. IOM’s multi-disciplinary staff members provide a range of assistance 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 USRAP.

Under USRAP, the Ports of Entry (POEs) provide critical support and assistance for refugee resettlement to the United States. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages POEs at seven international airports in the United States. POEs meet and assist refugees and migrants upon their arrival to the United States, accompanying them through immigration and customs procedures and ensuring they are connected by air and ground transportation to their final destination for handover to assured resettlement agency.
Under the general supervision of the National Associate Operations Officer (POE JFK), the direct supervision of the Operations Associate OR Senior Operations Assistant, the Operations Focal Point (Field Support, Airport), is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities.

1.    Undertake field support activities in an assigned area or areas primarily at the airport(s) in POE JFK , such as meeting and assisting group and individual arrivals of the beneficiaries at the airport, organizing transit and ground transportation, and completing administrative duties to ensure that the movement of beneficiaries under IOM are carried out in a safe, dignified, and humane manner. As required, monitor and guide teams of Operations Assistants in completing field support activities.
2.    Meet the beneficiaries at the arrival gate and physically assist them with all aspects of arrival procedures at the POE airport. Duties include providing custodial care of travel documentation; verifying identities and documentation in the travel bag; assisting with airport formalities, including check-in, luggage formalities, immigration procedures, security screening systems and customs clearance; escorting arriving individuals to ground transportation and individuals with domestic flight connections to their gates; visually confirming flights have departed; ensuring individuals with special needs or equipment receive appropriate support; and, as needed, sending update notifications via IOM proprietary tools and systems. This often requires meeting the beneficiaries at the arrival gate and walking with them through to the baggage claim area; assisting them with collecting check-in luggage at the baggage claim area; and carrying them to the onward transportation check-in point.
3.    Communicate with airlines, CBP and other vendors as needed and resolve issues as they arise in coordination with the supervisor.
4.    Prepare and complete required paperwork in relation to domestic transportation and post-arrival formalities at the POE. Duties include but not limited to: assist with the preparation of flight packages, domestic bookings sheets, lanyards, promissory notes; mail travel packets after CBP processing; and undertake quality assurance checks of POE-relevant data as directed by supervisors; monitor and guide other staff as they undertake administrative duties.
5.    Accompany medical cases requiring immediate assistance to the hospital and remain with them as requested by POE management, ensuring all necessary hospitalization documentation is completed and submitted to the supervisors.
6.    As required, provide assistance at hotels for individuals in transit, particularly the vulnerable people, including for extended periods of up to 12 hours, during overnight periods and exceptionally on weekends; ensuring the needs of the individuals are met throughout their hotel stay. Promptly communicate with hotel representatives and POE supervisors if issues arise.
7.    As required, provide interpretation assistance for arriving migrants, including during their immigration and customs procedures, transfer to a domestic flight or ground transportation, transportation to a hotel or final destination.
8.    As required, certify, update and validate domestic bookings and air tickets information in IOM systems. Undertake quality assurance checks of relevant data and report any discrepancies for coordination with IOM Washington DC; and, as needed, train other staff to efficiently and effectively assist with air ticket validation procedures and quality assurance checks.
9.    Where needed, support provision of training relating to day-to-day operations for new team members to efficiently and effectively perform their duties.
10.    Prepare incident reports, such as lost luggage claims, and lodge them through relevant online system in accordance with the reporting procedures and provide necessary follow up.
11.    Provide regular feedback on work being accomplished to the supervisors and keep them immediately informed of any issues requiring their attention.
12.    Demonstrate a solid understanding of the USRAP, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and IOM proprietary systems and tools, as well as the ability to remain professional, impartial and unbiased during all interactions with beneficiaries and colleagues per the IOM Code of Conduct and instruction on the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA).
13.     Undertake duty travel as needed to participate in POE-related meetings or training sessions, or to escort individuals transiting to their final destination.
14.    Maintain and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all USRAP-related information by implementing control procedures in line with USRAP standards of conduct and data protection rules. Alert management of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by staff members or partners.
15.    Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

* This position entails physical duties including standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling. Candidates must possess the physical capability to fulfil these tasks effectively and safely. The ability to meet these requirements is essential for successful performance in this role.

Education

• University degree in a related field from an accredited academic institution with three years of work experience; or,
• Completed secondary education with five years of relevant working experience.

Experience

• Prior airport operations experience is a strong advantage.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural setting.
• Familiarity with IOM policies, USRAP guidelines, POE SOPs, and IOM systems and tools are strong advantage.
• Self-motivated, objective driven and able to use own initiative and work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Computer/software literate with good knowledge in Microsoft Office.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to organize.

Languages

• For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

Required Competencies

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link. Competencies will be assessed during the selection process.

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.
• 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.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators (Level 1)

• 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.

Notes

1.    This vacancy does not offer work sponsorship.
2.    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.
3.    This post is subject to local recruitment. Only those holding a US Citizenship or Permanent residence for the country where this position is based will be eligible for consideration.
4.    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.
5.    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.
6.    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.
For further information and other job postings, you are welcome to visit our website: IOM Careers and Job Vacancies