ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT AND SCOPE:
The United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) operates world-wide with a target of providing resettlement opportunities to tens of 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 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 Pakistan. RSC Pakistan manages US resettlement activities in Pakistan. RSC Pakistan 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 arrivals 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 in Pakistan and the Project Manager, RSC Pakistan and the direct supervision of the Project Officer, Case Management, RSC Pakistan, the Senior Project Assistant is responsible for supervising case management activities, with the following duties and responsibilities:
RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:
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Oversee a team of RSC Pakistan staff members undertaking case management activities in an assigned area or areas, such as file integrity, program access, prescreening, field team, adjudications support, scheduling or pre-departure services, including supporting staff development processes such as hiring, 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 case management activities.
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Oversee the efficient and effective management of refugee case files and medical records, including, if assigned, the creation of new case files, the timely and accurate distribution, return and re-filing of case files, that the file tracking system is used to keep comprehensive track of files, and that files are scanned and transformed into travel packets as needed.
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Oversee refugee interviews, if assigned, ensuring team members use appropriate interview techniques, treat refugee applicants with dignity and respect, follow up-to-date form fill and casework procedures, correctly enter data into the State Department managed system that supports arrival and resettlement of refugees through technology (START) and other databases, accurately verify information previously entered into files such as biographic and family information, scan, photocopy, attach, file and translate documents as needed, and photograph applicants in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
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Organize and schedule refugee appointments, including, if assigned, creating and running ad hoc reports, creating schedules in START or another database, entering schedule data, updating schedules, overseeing the issuance of notifications and the confirmation of appointments, ensuring applicants are notified of their appointments in an effective, respectful and timely manner, facilitating interpretation services and maintaining a related database, and assisting with circuit ride logistics as needed.
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In relation to the adjudication of refugee case files, provide support to USCIS officers and oversee daily adjudications activities, the distribution of adjudications work to team members, the delivery of briefings for refugee applicants, interpretation during interviews, data entry, logistical support and notifications to refugees of their results.
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Through oversight and quality check (QC) measures, ensure START is updated as needed with refugee application data, biographical and other sensitive information such as USCIS interview dates, interview and fingerprint results, medical data and resettlement location preferences, and oversee processes such as program access verification, security checks or assurances as required.
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Utilizing reports, oversee and conduct regular QC of case files and data in START to ensure the accuracy of all case information, the RSC’s compliance with all USRAP and RSC SOPs and that processing pipelines are as short and efficient as possible, with expedited cases progressing as needed.
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In coordination with the Project Coordinator, liaise as needed with other teams and units in RSC Pakistan and with external partners such as USCIS, the Refugee Processing Center (RPC), panel physicians, the US Embassy, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Prepare team statistics and report regularly to the Project Coordinator, National / Project Officer or RSC management on relevant activities, problems and solutions related to the workflow and processing pipeline.
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Train other Case Management team members as needed to efficiently and effectively manage refugee case files, conduct full refugee interviews, organize and schedule refugee appointments, update START, conduct quality assurance of files and case data and support the USCIS adjudication, and to oversee case management teams and activities.
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Undertake duty travel as needed to participate in refugee interview and USCIS adjudication circuit rides, for meetings and for training.
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Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the USRAP, SOPs and START, as well as the ability to remain professional, impartial and unbiased during all interactions with refugee applicants, colleagues and partners. Support the development and implementation of SOPs as needed.
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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 RSC management of any non-compliance to SOPs or codes of conduct by RSC staff members.
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Perform such other duties as may be assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
EDUCATION
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Completed secondary education required with six years of working experience.
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Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or related field with four years of working experience
EXPERIENCE:
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Thorough knowledge of English
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Excellent computer skills - Word, Excel, and Internet
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Knowledge of USRAP program implementation and familiarity with IOM's administrative, financial and business rules and practices is desirable
LANGUAGES
Required
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Fluency in English (oral and written).
Desirable
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Knowledge of any other local language
IOM provides equal opportunity to all qualified female and male including the physically challenged candidates.