Deputy Director at Church World Service

Primary Purpose

This position is a high level position within the Church World Service operated Resettlement Support Center (RSC Africa). RSC Africa covers refugee processing in 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Deputy Director is responsible for the management of USRAP processing and cultural orientation at the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) Africa. With five direct reports, the position is responsible for ensuring that RSC procedures adhere to required guidelines, coordinating among the various units, maintaining effective relationships with partners, and providing leadership on all processing and cultural orientation issues.

The successful candidate must be approved, in writing, by the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) prior to confirmation of hire.

Supervision

This position supervises the Case Processing Coordinator, Field Processing Coordinator, Processing Support Coordinator, Cultural Orientation Coordinator, and Kasulu, Tanzania Satellite Office Site Manager.

This position reports directly to the RSC Africa Director.

Essential Duties

1. Supervises and manages five direct reports and indirect supervision and management of all operations and cultural orientation staff. For direct reports this includes hiring, training, staff development, setting priorities, evaluations and managing leave.
2. Ensures compliance with PRM, CIS, RPC and CWS/IRP guidelines and procedures. Develops and maintains a detailed knowledge of United States Refugee Admission Program overseas processing standards and policies, including the Guidelines for the Treatment of Refugee Records and PRM Program Integrity Guidelines.
3. Develops, implements, disseminates and monitors standard operating procedures (SOPs) for processing of refugees eligible for the US Refugee Admissions Program in sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of enhancing the efficiency of the operation.
4. Implements and monitors policy changes announced by PRM, USCIS, RPC and or the RSC management and ensures compliance and accountability among RSC operations staff.
5. Determines, in coordination with RSC Director and PRM, operational priorities for RSC Africa.
6. Provides coordination within and across other departments, ensuring that processing activities are carried out efficiently and effectively. Acts as key escalation point for any issues relating to other departments.
7. Oversees case processing activities, provides guidance, sets priorities and ensures good communication and coordination with partners.
8. Oversees processing support activities, provides guidance, sets priorities and ensures good communication and coordination within and among field team and cultural orientation circuit ride scheduling in WRAPS and ensures that communication with refugees and partners follows PRM guidelines.
9. Oversees field team activities, provides guidance, sets priorities and ensures good communication and coordination with partners. Develops and maintains a detailed understanding of circuit ride planning and implementation.
10. Oversees cultural orientation activities, provides guidance, sets priorities and ensures good communication and coordination with partners. Develops and maintains a detailed understanding of cultural orientation planning, budget, and implementation.
11. Indirectly oversees specialized units for minor and expedite cases, provides guidance to specialists regarding processing and monitors communications to ensure adherence to established protocols.
12. Works closely with the Data Integrity Unit to create accurate and meaningful reports, for both internal and external use.
13. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with partners. Ensures that communication protocols are up-to-date and adhered to.
14. Assists with yearly budgeting by providing staffing and workload projections.
15. Actively participates in human resources activities for all operations staff, including hiring, evaluations, leave management, disciplinary actions and terminations.
16. Provides ongoing training and staff development to direct reports and operations staff and ensures that unit coordinators, managers and supervisors are conducting appropriate trainings as needed.
17. Reviews, analyzes and reports on information relevant to processing in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
18. Actively participates in overall management and development of RSC Africa as a member of Senior Management and Leadership Team.
19. Any other duties as assigned by the RSC Director.

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or four (4) years of relevant experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree required.

Master’s Degree preferred.

Experience:

• Twelve (12) years of paid, related work experience required.
• Eight (8) years of supervisory experience required, including four (4) years supervising managers with direct reports required
• Previous refugee processing experience required.
• Previous staff management and supervision experience required.
• Experience working with and supervising a staff in a cross-cultural context required.
• Experience working in Africa preferred.
• Experience with USRAP preferred.
• Experience with domestic U.S. resettlement preferred.

Knowledge/Skills:

· Strong verbal and written communications skills required.

· Strong organizational, management and computer skills with particular attention to detail.

· Ability to analyze reports with large amounts of data.

· Knowledge of refugee and/or immigration law preferred.

· Excellent computer skills, in particular Microsoft Office.

· Thorough knowledge of the US Refugee Admissions.

Abilities:

The RSC Deputy Director must have the ability to:

· develop and maintain strong relationships with partners;

· manage a large and diverse work load with competing priorities;

· willingly travel to refugee processing locations in Africa;

· travel to the United States with short notice;

· communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;

· follow instructions 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 RSC Africa and CWS;

· maintain a high performance standard with 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 RSC Africa;

· take initiative in the development and completion of projects within the specified timeframe;

· maintain strict confidentiality with RSC Africa administrative and operational information;

· manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities;

· work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation;

· effectively manage RSC Africa’s resources; and

· actively participate in the successful implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Working Conditions

Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, 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: The incumbent primarily works in an office environment but may 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.

The US Embassy rates Kenya as both HIGH in crime and HIGH in terrorism. Incumbents should fully understand the insecurities present within Kenya and the region.

Special Requirements:

A 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. The candidate may be required to travel to the US on short notice. 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 be legally eligible to work and obtain a work permit in Kenya. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa. Employee will be entrusted with the receipt, custody and payment of money.

Licensing/Certification: None.

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.

Operational Leadership

Successfully lead a group to achieve operational goals. Examples of skills and behaviors include priority setting; timely decision making; planning and organizing; delegation; and managing and measuring work.

Building and Leading Effective Teams

Earn the respect of team members, create strong morale and spirit on the team and utilize the unique skills of all team members. Examples of skills and behaviors include managing diverse relationships; flexibility; being open and receptive; running effective team meetings; and exhibiting integrity and trustworthiness.

Strategic Leadership

Accurately anticipate future consequences and trends and translate them into the fulfillment of workable strategies and plans. Examples of skills and behaviors include problem solving; dealing with ambiguity, creativity; innovation management and business acumen