Jobs at Church World Service

Primary Purpose

This position is responsible for overseeing all United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Field Processing activity at RSC Africa. This includes managing workflow within the Pre-screening and Adjudications teams and collaborating with other program departments. This position ensures that RSC Africa processing priorities and targets are met and that standard operating procedures are strictly followed.

Essential Duties

Compliance

• Ensures all refugee case processing functions within the Field Processing Department strictly adhere to the DOS/BPRM, USCIS, RPC, CWS and RSC Africa policies, guidelines and procedures.
• Ensures development, implementation, dissemination and monitoring of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for processing of refugees eligible for the US Refugee Admissions Program in sub-Saharan Africa and specifically ensures their designated SOP is up to date and adhered to.
• Demonstrates ability to conduct field processing activities including pre-screening, AOR screening, visa interviews and adjudications functions.
• Conducts job function observations of field processing staff to ensure compliance is met and identify any areas of improvement or training needs.
• Identifies and assists with regular process reviews to compare requirements vs. current processing and outputs.
• Travels to field locations to monitor processing, conduct performance evaluations and meet with partners and vendors.

Data Management and Analysis

• Ensures RSC circuit rides are planned, revised and updated as needed until confirmed, and staff are prepared while ensuring all functions are completed in the most operationally responsible manner.
• Closely monitor the movement of cases through the Pre-USCIS pipeline, ensuring cases are being processed and presented according to USRAP priorities.
• Acts as the point person for staff inquiries relating to processing of cases.
• Develops reports and quality control checks that ensure accuracy and efficiency as well as their use.
• Establishes effective communication systems regarding data and ensures reports are accurate and efficient.
• Assists with annual plan and strategic planning goals as communicated by the Field Processing Coordinator.

Representation

• Develops and maintains effective relationships with RSC implementing partners, including PRM, USCIS, IOM, UNHCR, RPC and domestic Resettlement Agencies.
• Leads circuit rides and ensures all logistics are effective and are meeting the goals of the planned circuit ride.
• Ensures partner communication from the department is professional, timely and proactive.
• Represents organizational policies and culture to staff.
• Ensures the workforce is professional when representing CWS/RSC Africa to refugees, partners, the funder and colleagues.

Performance Management

• Provides direct supervision and leadership to Field Processing staff, including yearly performance evaluations, developing job descriptions, participating in hiring and coordinating leave.
• Trains Senior Caseworks and Caseworkers on their essential job duties.
• Ensures that QCs are being conducted and feedback is being provided to staff and/or other departments.
• Ensures coaching, mentoring, feedback and corrective action plans are being carried out where needed.
• Establish and communicate on-boarding, training and performance expectations.
• Develops performance management systems that support consistency in work outputs.
• Evaluates and assesses training needs of Field Processing staff and takes the lead in organizing and providing trainings on a regular basis.
• Develops and implement training modules for Field Processing staff, in coordination with the Training unit, and ensure that staff receive cross training on different aspects of refugee processing, and that they are monitored and evaluated.
• Monitors staff time and attendance.

Staff Care

• Monitors and ensure a safe, healthy and professional work environment.
• Ensures direct reports are accessing and using their benefits appropriately including leave.
• Actively support staff by promoting safe space, open-door and the escalation policy.
• Establish and communicate clear expectations to staff to foster a predictable and consistent work environment.
• Ensures staff are safe in the field by coordinating with the RSC Staff Security Coordinator and disseminating information related to safety to staff in the field.

Program Administration

• Ensures the deployment of Field Processing staff and resources to ensure timely flow of cases, in coordination with Programs Management.

This position also undertakes other duties as assigned by CWS/RSC Africa Management.

Experience

Qualifications:

• Five years USRAP experience is desirable.
• One-year supervisory experience is preferred.

Skills

• Thorough knowledge of the US Refugee Admissions Program and START database.
• Strong verbal and written English language skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Abilities

• Supervise staff to ensure policies and procedures are implemented and executed in accordance with guidelines and standard operating procedures;
• Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail, completing tasks within set timeframes;
• Exercise good judgement and seek guidance as appropriate when confronted with unanticipated problems;
• Deal effectively and courteously with a large number of associates, outside agencies, refugees and members of the general public;
• Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities;
• Maintain the integrity of official records;
• Analyse and solve complex problems and make sound decisions;
• Work with minimal supervision;
• Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
• Work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa;
  • Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP);

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three (3) years paid work experience is required or, six (6) years of paid work experience will be considered in the place of education requirements.
• Master’s Degree is preferred.

Important Requirements

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Special Requirements

• Full Time – Minimum of 37.5 hours per week.
• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
• COVID Vaccination is strongly recommended for all successful candidates
• The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa
• This position requires use of laptops at all time.
• This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program
• 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.
• Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
• All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing rulings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

go to method of application »

Primary Purpose

This position is responsible for implementing all United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Field Processing activity at RSC Africa, ensuring that RSC Africa processing priorities and targets are met, that standard operating procedures are strictly followed and integrity maintained throughout the process.

Essential Duties

• Achieves and maintains a high performance standard based on a thorough knowledge of, and adherence to, established Church World Service Resettlement Support Centre (CWS/RSC Africa), Department of State (DOS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Refugee Processing Centre (RPC) policies and procedures regarding current refugee processing eligibility criteria, database, and file management guidelines, the role of US Resettlement Agencies and refugee producing country conditions.
• Travels throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, as assigned, or works remotely to conduct resettlement interviews with refugee applicants, collecting biographical information and establishing refugee claims, in a dignified and professional manner.
• Conducts the AOR Screening and Pre-screening interviews, either in person or remotely, per the daily minimums set by Field Processing Department Management, in a non-confrontational, objective, and dignified manner. This includes:
• Determining case composition and ensures all refugee cases are cross-referenced according to established standard operating procedures.
• Establishing the validity of an applicant’s identity through verification of all demographic and biographic information including, but not limited to, names, nationalities, birth dates, and locations of all immediate family members in order to complete the refugee case history as required.
• Collecting all identity information including photographs, height, and weight.
• Documenting applicant’s persecution claim.
• Analysing, evaluating, and assessing the eligibility of refugee applicants for final adjudication by USCIS officers.
• P repares cases for USCIS, including reviewing physical file and START database.
• Assists in Adjudications Circuit Rides, which includes completing post-Adjudication review updating fingerprints, and preparing and distributing decision letters.
• Runs Quality Check reports to ensure complete and accurate files, as well as identifies and correct processing errors prior to USCIS adjudication.
• Works with other Programs departments as necessary to properly update cases.
• Assists as needed in preparing for and execution of circuit rides. This may include but is not limited to; requisitioning supplies, assisting GSO in preparation, packing of files, contacting interpreters, clean up at the end of the circuit ride, and other tasks as assigned by the Supervisors.
• Completes and updates all case files and all database records.
• Writes deferrals and info memos for referring agency action, as required.
• Conducts file reviews in accordance with RSC and USCIS guidelines, paying close attention to detail.
• Assists in various administrative tasks including but not limited to: research, locating files, data entry, and case analysis.
• Analyses complex cases in consultation with Supervisors in accordance with established policies and procedures, while remaining open to supervisory direction.
• Trains new staff as required and contributes to the development of Field Processing Department training procedures and their implementation.
• Contributes to the development and updating of processing guides for the Field Processing Department in coordination with Supervisors, Managers and Coordinators.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned by CWS/RSC Africa Management .

Experience

Qualifications:

• Four (4) years paid work experience required
• Casework or previous resettlement/humanitarian experience is preferred.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written English language skills;
• Second language is an advantage; Somali, Tigrinya, French, Amharic, Kinyarwanda or Arabic are preferred;
• Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Meticulous attention to detail.

Abilities

• Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
• Maintain the integrity of official records;
• Analyse and solve complex problems and make sound decisions;
• Work with minimal supervision
• Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
• Work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa;
• Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP)

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s Degree is required (or 4 years of work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Important Requirements

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Special Requirements

• Full Time - Minimum of 37.5 hours per week.
• Full COVID Vaccination is strongly recommended for all successful candidates
• The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa.
• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya
• This position requires use of laptops at all time, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.
• This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program.
• 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.
• Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
• All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing rulings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

go to method of application »

Primary Purpose

This position is responsible for implementing all United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Field Processing activity at RSC Africa, ensuring that RSC Africa processing priorities and targets are met, that standard operating procedures are strictly followed and integrity maintained throughout the process.

Essential Duties

• Achieves and maintains a high performance standard based on a thorough knowledge of, and adherence to, established Church World Service Resettlement Support Centre (CWS/RSC Africa), Department of State (DOS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Refugee Processing Centre (RPC) policies and procedures regarding current refugee processing eligibility criteria, database, and file management guidelines, the role of US Resettlement Agencies and refugee producing country conditions.
• Travels throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, as assigned, or works remotely to conduct resettlement interviews with refugee applicants, collecting biographical information and establishing refugee claims, in a dignified and professional manner.
• Conducts the AOR Screening and Prescreening interviews, either in person or remotely per the daily minimums set by Field Processing Management, in a non-confrontational, objective, and dignified manner. This includes:
• Determining case composition and ensures all refugee cases are cross referenced according to established standard operating procedures.
• Establishing the validity of an applicant’s identity through verification of all demographic and biographic information including, but not limited to, names, nationalities, birth dates, and locations of all immediate family members in order to complete the refugee case history as required.
• Collecting all identity information including photographs, height, and weight.
• Documenting applicant’s persecution claim.
• Analyzing, evaluating, and assessing the eligibility of refugee applicants for final adjudication by USCIS officers.
• Prepares cases for USCIS, including reviewing physical file and START database.
• Assists in Adjudications Circuit Rides, which includes completing post-Adjudication review, updating decisions (FTJ-R cases) and fingerprints, and preparing and distributing decision letters.
• Runs Quality Check reports to ensure complete and accurate files, as well as identifies and correct processing errors prior to USCIS adjudication.
• Identifies and reviews cases pending Prescreening and USCIS interviews in preparation for scheduling, schedules the cases in START, generates reports for refugee/partner notification, ensures that the reports are centrally filed for easy retrieval, and updates START accordingly.
• Works with other Programs departments as necessary to properly update cases.
• Assists as needed in preparing for circuit rides. This may include but is not limited to; requisitioning supplies, assisting GSO in preparation, packing of files, contacting interpreters, clean up at the end of the circuit ride, and other tasks as assigned by the Supervisors.
• Completes and updates all case files and all database records.
• Writes deferrals and info memos for referring agency action, as required.
• Conducts file reviews in accordance with RSC and USCIS guidelines, paying close attention to detail.
• Assists in various administrative tasks including but not limited to: research, locating files, data entry, and case analysis.
• Analyses complex cases in consultation with Supervisors in accordance with established policies and procedures, while remaining open to supervisory direction.
• Trains new staff as required and contributes to the development of Field Processing Department training procedures and their implementation.
• Contributes to the development and updating of standard operating procedures for the Field Processing Department in coordination with Field Processing Supervisors, Managers and Field Processing Coordinator.
• Conducts quality control checks and provides feedback to staff completing Pre-screening interviews during circuit rides
• Serves as a Circuit Ride Point of Contact (POC) and team lead in the field. This includes coordinating and managing logistics in the field for the circuit ride. This also involves but is not limited to; maintaining effective relations with UNHCR, IOM, USCIS, US
• Embassies and other implementing partners; coordinating transport of files, equipment and supplies; ensuring equipment is well managed and utilized; hiring, supervising and paying of interpreters; completing a trip report and accounting fully for funds advanced; and maintaining thorough knowledge and adherence to Circuit Ride and Field Processing Standard Operating Procedures.
• If requested, assists with emails in the Field Processing mailboxes.
• Undertakes other duties as assigned by CWS/RSC Africa Management.

Experience

Qualifications:

• Three (3) years paid work experience required.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Casework or previous resettlement experience is preferred.
• Prior USRAP Field Processing experience is preferred.

Skills

• Strong verbal and written English language skills.
• Second language is an advantage; French, Somali, Tigrinya, Amharic, Kinyarwanda or Arabic preferred.
• Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.

Abilities

• Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
• Maintain the integrity of official records. ;
• Analyse and solve complex problems and make sound decisions. ;
• Work with minimal supervision.
• Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail. ;
• Work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa. ;
• Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
• Collaborate with peers, and management and other organizational departments in daily work execution.;
• Take ownership and responsibility of own work.
• Communicate openly and transparently with peers and management.

Education & CertificationsImportant Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or four years of paid work experience is required.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.