Resettlement Officer at Church World Service

Grade:5 (N)

Level:Specialist

Division: Programs

Section: Africa Regional Deployment Unit (ARDU)

Location: Kasulu, Tanzania

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 US 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 to the ARDU Supervisor.

Essential Duties

• Travels on deployments to UNHCR on short notice, including to refugee camps.
• Conducts resettlement interviews with identified cases in line with UNHCR Resettlement Guidelines and country-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Makes assessments and contributes towards identifying resettlement cases, including case verification, case identification and completing the UNHCR Resettlement Registration Form (RRFs) for the identified cases in line with ARDU SOPs and guidelines.
• Conducts Level 3 Registration (L-3 Reg.) interviews for the collection of applicants’ bio-data information for the UNHCR Resettlement Registration Form (RRF) Sections 1, 2 and 3.
• Participates in file reviews and compiles interview lists for UNHCR Profiling exercises. Conducts profiling interviews of UNHCR identified caseloads in line with UNHCR guidelines.
• 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 field, undertakes additional related duties as agreed upon by ARDU Management, UNHCR Supervisor and the 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.
• Contributes to the development of deployment training topics, procedures and implementation.
• Undertakes additional assigned duties to support ARDU, including administrative tasks.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field of study, or four (4) years of work experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree is required.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of work experience is required.
• Six (6) months of related experience, including work outside of Tanzania (e.g. refugee, development or humanitarian work, training and capacity building).

Knowledge/Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of UNHCR/USRAP and resettlement processes.
• Knowledge of international legal framework governing refugees, human rights/ human rights law preferred.
• Written and spoken fluency in English; secondary language skills, such as French, Arabic and other African regional languages (other than Kiswahili) is required.
• Excellent interviewing and counseling skills.
• Excellent drafting, writing and analytical skills.
• Previous assessment/ monitoring and evaluations skills preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills.
• Strong computer skills, in particular Microsoft Office.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Abilities: 

The Resettlement Officer must have the ability to:

• Work effectively with partners and in team settings
• Remain collegial and flexible, including managing heavy workload under pressure
• Travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and sometimes under difficult conditions, including to refugee camps
• Work and deliver results under deadlines
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Receive feedback and guidance with a positive and receptive attitude
• Follow instructions from ARDU Management with a positive and receptive attitude
• Deal effectively and courteously with a large number of associates, outside 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
• Take initiative in the development and completion of projects
• Lead others and address issues as they arise
• Maintain strict confidentiality with CWS RSC Africa administrative and operational information
• Manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities
• Analyze and solve complex problems and make sound decisions
• Work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation;
• Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Government Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)

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 loads of up to 20 kg.

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 Tanzania as both HIGH in crime and HIGH in terrorism. Incumbents should fully understand the insecurities present within Tanzania and the region.

Special Requirements: 

• Police Clearance Certificate issued within the last one year (12 months) is required before the start of employment. Employee will be entrusted with the receipt, custody and payment of money.
• 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 must be legally eligible to work and obtain a work permit in deployment locations in sub-Saharan Africa.
• 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. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination and all required inoculations before traveling for ARDU.
• Licensing/Certification: None required.

Competencies  Communication

Ensure effective exchanges of information with others. Examples of skills and behaviors include speaking to others respectfully; expressing ideas in a logical, organized way; sharing information appropriately; and clarity and conciseness in written communication

Relationships

Ensure constructive and supportive interactions with others. Examples of skills and behaviors include being positive and supportive when working with others; sharing information and resources freely; resolving conflict constructively; and proactively working to remove obstacles to success for others.

Job Knowledge

Utilize and apply job related knowledge to complete job tasks at a level that meets or exceeds expectations. Examples of skills and behaviors include utilizing job knowledge to solve problems or develop new approaches; maintaining or enhancing skills through continuing education; and taking on projects that will develop or enhance skills.

Teamwork

Work effectively and contribute as a member of a team. Examples of skills and behaviors include supporting other team members by sharing information; covering the work of others during absences, vacations etc.; and actively participating in developing ideas for ways to increase team effectiveness.

Problem Solving

Analyze information and develop solutions to challenges that arise during the course of performing a job. Examples of skills and behaviors include researching and collecting facts; defining the issues and the parties affected; formulating options/solutions for addressing the problem; and engendering support for and implementing the solution.

Program Planning and Management

Organize work and/or plan projects and ensure timely completion and/or successful implementation. Examples of skills and behaviors include identifying and analyzing program options; identifying the tasks and deliverables required for successful completion; managing one’s time; monitoring the resources involved and ensuring that they are directed most effectively; and working with all involved to ensure successful completion.

Leadership

Guide and direct oneself or other individuals and groups toward a desired outcome. Examples of skills and behaviors include taking the appropriate level of initiative to resolve problems or remove obstacles, bringing individuals together around a common goal; evaluating information and making decisions; navigating conflict and obstacles; and ensuring that communication takes place between all parties involved.

Resource Building and Stewardship

Balance the acquisition or investment of organization resources with responsible use of those resources in line with the organization’s mission. Examples of skills and behaviors include taking advantage of all opportunities to cultivate potential donors; evaluating situations to identify the best use of resources; and making responsible investments of resources that increase organization effectiveness.

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