Project Officer, Communications and Cultural Orientation

Position Title: Project Officer, Communications and Cultural Orientation

Duty Station: Doha, Qatar

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: 31 May 2022

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.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates
2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Aruba (Netherlands); Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Cuba; Curaçao; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Libya; Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to 110,000 or more 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. Some 1200 multi-disciplinary staff members work in support of the USRAP which has an annual budget in the range of USD 340 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 IOM’s global support to all resettlement programs.

Context:

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 MOU between IOM and the US State Department Bureau for Population Refugees and Migration (PRM), IOM manages the RSC for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). RSC MENA 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 overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (COM) in Qatar, and the direct supervision of the Project Manager, RSC MENA, and in collaboration with the relevant units at CAS and Regional Office (RO) the successful candidate is responsible for, Communications and Cultural Orientation activities for RSC MENA-Qatar Processing Site Operations.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Supervise daily RSC MENA-Qatar Processing Site Communications and Cultural Orientation(CO) activities, including providing training, assigning duties, and giving feedback to staff members on their performance on a regular basis to ensure high quality work and the accurate completion of activities.
2. Ensure communications with program beneficiaries are accurate, efficient, timely, sensitive, and compliant with program guidelines by monitoring incoming and outgoing communications, reviewing templates, helping create and implement information campaigns, troubleshooting backlogs or other communication issues. Liaise directly with program beneficiaries when needed, including answering routine queries from and following up with high-profile, sensitive, at-risk, and expedited cases.
3. Use reports to monitor the RSC MENA Qatar Processing Site pipeline and work with management to take appropriate action to address relevant processing delays or backlogs related to communications activities. As needed, assist with urgent and sensitive cases at any stage in the pipeline to help ensure they are processed effectively and efficiently.
4. Provide technical assistance, guidance, and information on changes to workflows and procedures to staff members in accordance with STAR, USCIS, PRM Program Announcements and internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
5. In accordance with changes to CO activities and guidelines, regularly update RSCMENA-Qatar Processing Site CO guidance and ensure CO staff members are fully trained on all curriculum and country-of-resettlement updates. As needed, contribute to the development and update of CO curriculum and instructional materials for the US, Australia, Germany, Switzerland, and others, including new resettlement countries.
6. In coordination with RSC MENA-Qatar Processing Site colleagues and other resettlement countries, organize the delivery of CO as needed. Regularly monitor the pipeline of cases requiring CO classes. Periodically review both CO curriculums and ad-hoc information delivery and troubleshoot issues that arise during CO sessions.
7. Liaise directly with resettlement countries as needed, including on the submission of regular reports on CO activities and on the monitoring of programs in the post-arrival context. As requested, prepare cultural profiles of migrants for resettlement service providers in various countries.
8. Alert the Project Manager of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by RSC staff members.
9. In coordination with the Project Manager, liaise with other units in RSC MENA-QatarProcessing Site and IOM, and with external partners as needed. Represent RSC MENA-Qatar Processing Site and CO programs at meetings, including with high-level government and UN officials. Prepare reports, briefings, background information, narratives, and statistics for internal and external dissemination.
10. Undertake duty travel as needed to conduct activities related to monitoring and evaluation, training, project support, project reporting, protection, communications, CO, for meetings, and to participate in training.
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 refugee processing locations is an advantage.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of services available to newly arrived refugees 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 of IOM’s or similar International Organization’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;
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the USRAP, SOPs and WRAPS, as well as the ability to remain professional, impartial, and unbiased during all interactions with refugee applicants, colleagues, and partners;
• Maintains and ensures the confidentiality and integrity of all RSC-related information by implementing control procedures in line with USRAP standards of conduct and data protection rules;
• 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.

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Dari/Pashto 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

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.