Job Title: Resettlement Officer**
Grade: 5 (N)
Level: Specialist
Division: Program
Section: Africa Regional Deployment Unit (ARDU)
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
CWS RSC Africa
The Resettlement Support Center (CWS RSC Africa) operates a US refugee resettlement program in sub-Saharan Africa through a Cooperative Agreement with the Department of State/ Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. CWS RSC Africa is responsible for the preparation of refugee case files for adjudication by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, as well as the out-processing and cultural orientation of all approved cases. CWS RSC Africa is administered by the Church World Service Immigration Refugee Program (CWS/IRP) and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Primary Purpose
This is a full time position within ARDU which strategically utilizes CWS RSC deployments to UNHCR offices with the goal increasing referrals and managing cases in the pipeline for the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in Africa. The primary function of the Resettlement Officer is to support the goals of ARDU through temporary deployments to UNHCR offices throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Tasks to be completed while on deployment will be determined in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for each deployment and will include activities that support refugee resettlement, including interviewing and writing resettlement referrals to the USRAP.
Supervision
This position reports primarily to the ARDU Supervisor.
Essential Duties
Verifies existing refugee registration data and ensures timely updates of all case files and database records per UNHCR guidelines.
Process cases which have been deferred by CWS RSC Africa based on case changes or concerns.
Completes and updates all case files and database records per UNHCR Resettlement Guidelines.
In the field, undertakes additional work related duties as agreed upon by the ARDU Management in consultation with both the UNHCR Supervisor and ARDU deployee.
Maintains current knowledge of refugee situations and population served in sub-Saharan Africa.
Responsible for ensuring that ARDU staff resources such as Country of Origin Information, current practices and approaches in RRF Writing and Deferral processing are updated.
Available whilst on deployment to answer any specific technical questions raised by UNHCR or CWS RSC Africa colleagues regarding USRAP processing.
Actively participates as a member of the UNHCR team and complies with UNHCR's security requirements.
Submits regular reports to ARDU Management in line with deployment goals and objectives and communicates challenges related to casework, logistics and relationship with partners to ARDU Management in a timely manner.
Contributes to the development of deployment training topics, procedures and implementation.
Undertakes additional assigned duties while in the field or at the CWS RSC Africa office to support ARDU and RSC Africa, including administrative tasks.
Any other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field of study (preferable focus in international affairs, law, refugee law, human rights or social work) or four (4) years of work experience in lieu of a Bachelor's degree is required.
Master’s Degree in a related field of study preferred (preferable focus in international affairs, law, refugee law, human rights or social work).
Experience:
Two (2) years of work experience is required.**
Six (6) months related experience is required, including in a developing country in a relevant work area (e.g. assisting refugees in a resettlement context, casework, preparing refugee resettlement referrals, etc.).
Previous experience with ARDU or other deployment schemes preferred.
Knowledge/Skills:
· Excellent organizational and time management skills.**
Abilities:
The Resettlement Officer must have the ability to:**
Remain collegial and flexible, including while managing heavy workloads under pressure
Travel within sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and sometimes under difficult conditions
Work and deliver results under deadlines
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
Receive feedback and guidance with a positive and receptive attitude
Deal effectively and courteously with a large number of associates, external agencies, refugees and members of the general public
Conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner to represent the best interests of CWS RSC Africa
Maintain a high performance standard with meticulous attention to detail
Carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision
Work independently and contribute to overall operations of CWS RSC Africa
Maintain strict confidentiality with CWS RSC Africa administrative and operational information
Manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities
Work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment and maintain a high level of motivation
Take initiative in the development and completion of projects
Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. government’s Refugee Admissions Program.
Working Conditions
Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/ pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and carrying/ lifting moderate loads of up to 20kgs.
Environmental: Incumbents in this position must be able to travel to remote locations. they will be exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, harsh weather climates, dust and infectious diseases, working in confined quarters and dangerous insects, animals, reptiles, spiders, etc. The US Embassy rates Kenya as both HIGH in crime and HIGH in terrorism. Incumbents should fully understand the insecurities present within Kenya and the region.
Special Requirements: A background check, which includes references and an educational and criminal check, is required before the start of employment. A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel. The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility. A certificate of good health is required before the start of deployment. The employee must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination and all required inoculations before traveling for CWS RSC Africa. Must be legally eligible to work and obtain a work permit in deployment locations in sub-Saharan Africa.
This vacancy is archived.