Project Officer (Cultural Orientation)

Position Title: Project Officer (Cultural Orientation)

Duty Station: Quito, Ecuador

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, nine months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 20 June 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.

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; Barbados; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Congo (the); Cook Islands; Dominica; Fiji; Grenada; Guinea-Bissau; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Madagascar; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Uzbekistan; 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 thousands of refugees 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 refugee 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 Latin America (LA). RSC LA manages US resettlement activities in Ecuador. RSC LA prepares refugee 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 refugees to resettlement agencies in the US and offers Cultural Orientation (CO) training to refugees departing for the US.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Project Coordinator, Remote Sites and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, Ecuador, the successful candidate will be based in Quito, Ecuador and will have the following duties and responsibilities:

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Support the daily management and supervision of RSC LA staff engaged in relevant 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 as requested.
2. In accordance with changes to activities and guidelines, as well as improvements made to activities, coordinate with the Project Coordinator to regularly update RSC LA guidance and ensure staff members are fully trained on all curriculum and country-of-resettlement updates.
3. Help 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 in coordination with the Project Coordinator, periodically reviewing CO curriculums, providing curriculum related feedback to CORE, providing ad-hoc information delivery, and troubleshooting issues that arise during CO sessions as needed. Take beneficiary feedback into account when possible in relation to CO implementation.
4. In coordination with the Project Coordinator and RSC LA colleagues, 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.
5. Collaborate with RSC LA counterparts on issues related to the delivery of US CO while being aware of relevant program rules, guidelines, and procedures for program activities.
6. As requested by the Project Coordinator, liaise directly with stakeholders 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.
7. As requested, prepare in-depth cultural profiles of migrants for the USRAP.
8. In coordination with the Project Coordinator, liaise directly with internal and external partners as necessary, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM), US Embassy representatives and other government representatives.
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 SOPs or codes of conduct by RSC staff members.
10. Represent RSC LA, 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;
• Strong knowledge of services available to newly arrived individuals to the US;
• Teaching, training and curriculum development experience;
• Experience handling logistics in processing locations is an advantage.

Skills

• 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;
• 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.

Languages

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

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Spanish 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 five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

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 actions 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 leadership and professional potential.
• Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

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 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.