Nepal: Project Officer, Cultural Orientation

Position Title : Project Officer, Cultural Orientation

Duty Station : Damak, Nepal

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 16 May 2016

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. Applications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged. For the purpose of the vacancy, the following candidates are considered as tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates

2. Qualified applicants from the following NMS countries:

Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bahamas, Botswana, Belize, Cabo Verde, Czech

Republic, Djibouti, Micronesia (Federated States of), Gabon, Gambia, Guyana, Iceland, Cambodia, Comoros, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Libya, Montenegro, Marshall Islands, Mongolia, Maldives, Namibia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Seychelles, Suriname, El Salvador, Leste, Holy See, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Vanuatu, Samoa

Context:

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to 85,000 or more 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. Some 1200 disciplinary staff members work in support of the USRAP which has an annual budget in the range of USD 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 IOMs global support to all resettlement programs.

Under the United States Refugee Admissions Program, the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) provides critical support and processing services. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population Refugees and Migration (BPRM), IOM manages the RSC South Asia (SA). RSC SA processes refugees in Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka. The RSC prepares refugee applications for adjudication by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, facilitates security and medical screenings, provides information of arriving refugees to resettlement agencies in the U.S. and offers Cultural Orientation (CO) training to refugees bound for the US. A number of other resettlement countries operating in South Asia also provide CO training through IOM to departing refugees and migrants.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Project Manager, in Damak, Nepal, and the overall supervision of Project Manager, RSC SA in Damak, Nepal and the Chief of Mission in Kathmandu, Nepal, the successful candidate is responsible for the overall management of CO activities in South Asia.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the daily management and supervision of RSC SA staff engaged in CO activities across the region, providing training on teaching methodology and technical assistance, assigning duties and giving feedback to staff members on their performance on a regular basis.

2. In accordance with changes to CO activities and guidelines, as well as improvements made to related activities, regularly update RSC SA CO guidance and ensure CO staff members are fully trained on all curriculum and of-resettlement updates.

3. As needed, develop and periodically update CO curriculum and instructional materials for such resettlement countries as the US, Australia, Germany, Switzerland and others, including new resettlement countries.

4. Ensure communications with program beneficiaries in the context of CO are accurate, efficient, timely, sensitive and compliant with program guidelines by monitoring CO classes across the region, periodically reviewing both CO curriculums and hoc information delivery, and troubleshooting issues that arise during CO sessions as needed.

5. In coordination with RSC SA colleagues and other resettlement countries, organize the delivery of CO as needed. Regularly monitor the pipeline of cases requiring CO classes to ensure delivery is achieved at the highest rate possible.

6. Collaborate with RSC SA counterparts on issues related to the delivery of US CO while being aware of relevant program rules, guidelines and procedures for program activities.

7. Liaise directly with resettlement countries as needed, including on the submission of monthly and/or quarterly reports on CO activities and on the monitoring of resettlement programs in arrival context.

8. As requested, prepare depth cultural profiles of refugees and migrants for resettlement service providers in various resettlement countries.

9. In coordination with the Deputy Project Manager, RSC SA, liaise directly with internal and external partners as necessary, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), US Embassy representatives and other government representatives.

10. Maintain and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of all related information by implementing control procedures in line with USRAP standards of conduct and data protection rules. Alert the Deputy Project Manager of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by RSC staff members.

11. Represent RSC SA and CO programmes of other resettlement countries at meetings as needed, including with level US and UN officials. Prepare reports, briefings, background information, narratives and statistical reporting as necessary and required.

12. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Masters degree in Social Science, International Relations, Regional Studies or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Supervisory or management experience within USRAP Cultural Orientation (CO) or CO

programmes for other resettlement countries;

• Minimum of two years’ experience working with a US Resettlement Agency national office or affiliate, or demonstrated exposure to resettlement agency activities through at least two official US Cultural Orientation exchanges;

• Strong knowledge of services available to newly arrived refugees to the US, Australia, Germany, France, UK, Switzerland and other resettlement countries;

• Teaching, training and curriculum development experience;

• Experience handling logistics in refugee processing locations is an advantage;

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and writing skills;

• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in spreadsheet and database applications;

• Sound knowledge IOM's administrative, budgetary, financial, and business rules and practices;

• Ready, willing and able to travel extensively to monitor CO programme activities throughout the region, and the ability to acquire the necessary security and medical clearances in order to do so.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Nepali is an advantage.

Desirable Competencies:

Behavioral

• Accountability – takes responsibility for action and manages constructive criticisms

• Client Orientation – works effectively well with client and stakeholders

• Continuous Learning – promotes continuous learning for self and others

• Communication – listens and communicates clearly, adapting delivery to the audience

• Creativity and Initiative – actively seeks new ways of improving programmes or services

• Leadership and Negotiation – develops effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholders;

• Performance Management – identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others.

• Planning and Organizing - plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility;

• Professionalism - displays mastery of subject matter

• Teamwork – contributes to a collegial team environment; incorporates gender related needs, perspectives, concerns and promotes equal gender participation.

• Technological Awareness - displays awareness of relevant technological solutions;

• Resource Mobilization - works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

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

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications via PRISM, IOM Recruitment system, by 16 May 2016 at the latest, referring to this advertisement.

For further information, please refer to:

iom-apply.html

In order for an application to be considered valid, IOM only accepts online profiles duly completed.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. You can track the progress of your application on your personal application page in the IOM recruitment system.

Posting period:

From 03.05.2016 to 16.05.2016

Requisition: VN 2016/84 (P) - Project Officer, Cultural Orientation (P2) - Damak, Nepal (54781039) Released

Posting: Posting NC54784248 (54784248) Released