Project Assistant – (Communications & Cultural Orientation) At International Organization for Migration

Context:

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to 85,000 or more 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. Some 1200 multi-disciplinary staff members work in support of the USRAP which has an annual budget in the range of USO 200 million. 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.

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 REGION. RSC REGION manages US resettlement activities in COUNTRIES. RSC REGION 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 arrivals to resettlement agencies in the US and offers Cultural Orientation (CO) training to individuals departing for the US.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Officer, Communications & Cultural Orientation, and the direct supervision of the Project Associate, Communications & Cultural Orientation, and in collaboration with relevant units in Country and regional office (RO) the successful candidate is responsible for supervising communications & cultural orientation activities, with the following duties and responsibilities:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Undertake communications and cultural orientation activities in an assigned area or areas related to case consultation, the information center and/or public affairs, cultural orientation scheduling and, as required, guide and assist in monitoring teams of Project Clerks and Project Assistants in organizing and completing communications activities in an assigned area.
2. Efficiently and effectively undertake case consultation services for individuals who appear in-person at RSC MENA, providing efficient, effective, accurate, clear and courteous information to individuals during case consultation, and training all Project Clerks and Project Assistants involved in case consultation to provide such information.
3. Provide information to individuals through the RSC MENA information center, ensuring that all communication undertaken by phone, email, through website(s) and other technological means and, if relevant, in person, is efficient, effective, accurate, clear and courteous. Verify the information provided by the RSC MENA information center is up to date, relevant and accessible to all persons, including to at-risk individuals, and that the staff members providing the information are adequately trained.
4. Verify START is updated as needed with communications & cultural orientation -related content and assist supervisors in overseeing communications & cultural orientation -related processes being carried out within and between units, including by email and phone.
5. Utilizing reports and other oversight mechanisms, conduct regular QC of communications &cultural orientation -related data in START and other communications tools such as email systems to verify the accuracy and clarity of information shared with individuals as well as the RSC’s compliance with all USRAP and RSC SOPs. Proactively bring to the attention of supervisor’s communications & cultural orientation-related backlogs or other issues.
6. In coordination with supervisors, liaise as needed with other teams and units in RSC Doha and other RSCs. Provide regular reports on the work being accomplished within the team to supervisors and team members.
7. Train other communications & cultural orientation team members as needed to efficiently and effectively manage communications activities, update START and other databases accurately and to assist in monitoring communications team members and activities.
8. Undertake duty travel as needed to participate in communications & cultural orientation-related activities, for meetings and for training.
9. Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the USRAP, SOPs and START, as well as the ability to remain professional, impartial and unbiased during all interactions with applicants and colleagues.
10. Maintain 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.
11. Undertake communication & cultural orientation training activities, including providing training for a range of resettlement countries throughout the region, featuring student-centered activities in all classes, assisting in drafting training lesson plans in accordance with RSC REGION cultural orientation objectives, assisting in the development of teaching materials, visual aids and bulletin boards supporting the curriculum and assisting in managing and restocking inventories of instructional supplies.
12. In order to develop and maintain communication &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 communications & cultural orientation-related workshops and seminars.
13. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education

• University Bachelor’s degree in Social Science or a related field from an accredited academic institution with minimum three years of relevant experience. or
• Completed Senior High School degree with at least five years of relevant work experience.

Experience

• Teaching, training and curriculum development.
• Experience communicating with legal representatives is an advantage.
• Experience within USRAP Communications and Cultural Orientation (CO) or programmes for other resettlement countries.
• Experience in leading interactive training seminars or orientation sessions for youth and adults.

Languages

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

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

REQUIRED

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written).

DESIRABLE

Working knowledge of Dari and Pashto is an added advantage.

Notes

*Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies

Values

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• 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 action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.
Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other

1. Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.
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. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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