Project Officer, Cultural Orientation At International Organization for Migration

Position Title: Project Officer, Cultural Orientation

Duty Station: San Salvador, El Salvador

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: 25 January 2023

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-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.

Context:

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of 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. 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.

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of thousands of 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. 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 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages the RSC for Latin America (LA). RSC LA 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 arriving individuals to resettlement agencies in the US and offers Cultural Orientation (CO) training to individuals departing for the US.

Under the general supervision of the Project Manager, RSC Latin America and the direct supervision of the Deputy Project Manager, Compliance, Communications and Cultural Orientation; RSC Latin America, the Project Officer, Cultural Orientation will be based in San Salvador, El Salvador and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the daily management and supervision of RSC Latin America 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 CO-related activities, regularly update RSC Latin America CO guidance, and ensure CO staff members are fully trained on all curriculum and country-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 ad-hoc information delivery and troubleshooting issues that arise during CO sessions as needed.
5. In coordination with RSC Latin America 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 Latin America 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 the post-arrival context.
8. As requested, prepare in-depth cultural profiles of migrants for resettlement service providers in various resettlement countries.
9. Maintain and ensure 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 the Deputy Project Manager of any non-compliance to standard operating procedures (SOPs) or codes of conduct by RSC staff members.
10. Represent RSC Latin America and CO programs of other resettlement countries at meetings as needed, including with high-level US and UN officials. Prepare reports, briefings, background information, narratives, and statistical reporting as necessary and required.
11. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s 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.
• Teaching, training, and curriculum development experience.
• Experience handling logistics in processing locations is an advantage.
• 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 to do so.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of services available to newly arrived individuals to the US, Australia, Germany, France, UK, Switzerland, and other resettlement countries.
• 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.
• Takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism.
• Works effectively with all clients and stakeholders.
• Promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly.
• Takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management.
• Plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility.
• Displays mastery of subject matter.
• Contributes to a collegial team environment.
• Incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation.
• Displays awareness of relevant technological solutions.
• Works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.
• Delivers on set objectives in hardship situations.
• Effectively coordinates actions with other implementing partners.
• Works effectively with local authorities, stakeholders, beneficiaries, and the broader community to advance country office or regional objectives.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

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). Working knowledge of Spanish and/or French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Previous applicants do not need to re-apply

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

Required Competencies:

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 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.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• 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.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

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.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.