AAP Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS is working closely with its implementation partner in Ukraine, and with newly identified partners in neighboring countries, to rapidly respond to the immediate needs triggered by the invasion and attacks on Ukraine. The conflict in Ukraine has set off a wave of displacement internally, and into countries along Ukraine’s western borders. HIAS’ response is focused on multi-purpose cash programming, MHPSS, child protection, GBV reduction, prevention, and response, and legal protection. HIAS is working directly with local implementation partners, local NGOs and other civil society actors to support vulnerable refugees and displaced populations. As the situation is dynamic, complex and experiencing rapid changes, HIAS will continue to assess and identify new potential areas of operation and implementation partners, and will continue to develop our response strategy, programmatic interventions and positioning moving forward.

HIAS seeks an experienced AAP Specialist to support HIAS’ Ukraine response as well as other geographic portfolios, as appropriate over time. The AAP Specialist will be responsible to roll-out, maintain and improve systems that put into practice HIAS’ AAP framework, including complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) that are safe, accessible and confidential for affected people. This includes but is not limited to HIAS operations in Ukraine, Poland, Romania and Moldova, as well as coordination with HIAS Europe colleagues based in Brussels, Belgium during the initial 12 months of this position. This position may also support HIAS programming in the broader Africa/Eurasia and Latin America and Caribbean regions over time.

This position will report to the Director, Results & Impact and will work closely with HIAS’ deployed country leads and emergency technical coordinators in each location involved in the response. This position will coordinate with key counterparts in the Emergency Department, regional staff, technical staff, HIAS Europe and/or other HIAS departments as necessary.

With support and direction from the Director, Results & Impact, the AAP Specialist is responsible for building the capacity of country team staff within the Ukraine response (and other countries as required over time) and providing in-country and remote support. They work closely with the relevant country teams and the regional management team to deliver on essential duties.

Note, this position is based at our headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland or our office in New York, New York, and we will consider a remote option for applicants who live outside of commuting distance to either of our offices and are based in other states in which we are registered (Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin).

The first 12 months at minimum will include travel to the region involved in the Ukraine response, as HIAS’ travel policy and security guidelines permit. Candidates must be able to work core hours that overlap with Central European Time.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

IMPLEMENTING & OPERATIONALIZING ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORKS

• Leads HIAS’ practice of accountability to affected populations and the roll-out and implementation of key AAP standards, processes and systems/tools within the region, with an initial focus on AAP in emergency settings.
• Provides direct oversight and guidance to all locations in the region on operationalization of AAP principles and ensures that AAP data is collected routinely throughout the project cycle.
• Leads and monitors the establishment of safe, accessible and functional complaints and feedback mechanisms (CFMs) and standard operating processes for collecting, responding to, escalating and learning from feedback.
• Works closely with safeguarding and PSEA focal points to actively promote and ensure adherence to HIAS’ safeguarding and PSEA policies among HIAS staff and people served.
• Coordinates closely with the MEAL Specialist, Ukraine Response, to ensure that AAP data feeds into response and project-level monitoring systems on a continuous basis.
• Provides remote and on-site training for relevant office staff (including Country Directors and key staff) on best practices in participation and inclusion of affected people, CFM establishment and maintenance, and learning from AAP data.
• Identifies and advocates for the budget/resources needed for the AAP components of projects.
• Travels to field offices across response countries to monitor AAP framework implementation, provide operational assistance and support compliance with AAP standards.

AAP DATA MANAGEMENT & REPORTING

• Tracks, analyzes and regularly reports on AAP data, compliance with AAP standards and learnings from HIAS’ AAP practice.
• Conducts regular site visits, or when required, to monitor AAP framework implementation and ensure the functioning of CFMs.
• Develops and produces charts, graphs, infographics and other visual representations of AAP activities and accomplishments; aggregates reporting at the country office and regional level; supports organizational-level reporting.
• At a regional level, provides technical assistance and quality assurance for funder reports and other external results reporting related to AAP.
• Participates in relevant working groups and or communities of practice that are essential to perform duties.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in relevant field is required; graduate degree preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience focused on or related to accountability to affected populations; field experience and experience in complex, challenging and/or insecure environments strongly preferred.
• English fluency required; Ukrainian and Russian fluency strongly preferred.
• Dynamic individual with a proven ability to achieve results in a demanding, fast-paced and often insecure environment.
• Experience implementing and/or ensuring adherence to safeguarding and PSEA policies strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage, track and report on accountability data; proficiency with Excel in tracking and analyzing data.
• Demonstrated experience establishing and maintaining complaints and feedback mechanisms that are safe, accessible and confidential.
• Experience in both direct implementation as well as sub-partner management preferred.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including familiarity with writing funder reports, SOPs and other program management documents.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet strict deadlines; ability to multi-task and prioritize effectively.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and a proactive, creative approach to problem-solving.
• Willingness to serve on temporary deployment for up to 1 month and at short notice (within 2-3 weeks).
• Ability to work well with others and rapidly adapt to new countries/contexts.
• Flexibility to work in challenging environments and with high workloads, potentially with limited mobility.
• Ability to travel to all countries in the region as needed, security situation permitting.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 6: Offer and background check with Shield Screening.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.