Casework Officer (National Position)

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

The IRC has a rich history of assisting refugees to apply for United States resettlement, from its founding in 1933 to help vulnerable individuals escape Nazi-occupied Europe, to pioneering the Joint Voluntary Agency which assisted Indochinese refugees for 22 years, to operations in Croatia, Sierra Leone and Sudan. Since 2005, RSC Asia has resettled over 180,000 refugees to the United States.

Based in Bangkok with field offices in Thailand and Malaysia, the IRC Resettlement Support Center (RSC Asia) is funded by the US State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) to assist persons throughout Asia seeking permanent resettlement to the United States. Responsible for a portfolio of 37 countries, the RSC: prepares refugee applications for the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) using START (a State Department–managed data system that supports the arrival and resettlement of refugees through technology); provides information to resettlement agencies about arriving refugees; and offers cultural orientation training to refugees bound for the United States.

Job Overview/Summary:

This position is primarily responsible for assisting eligible refugee applicants prepare the best possible case file for adjudication by an officer of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS. The Casework Officer prepares case files on behalf of refugee applicants to the USRAP including data entry of refugee case information into START, and physical file preparation. Casework Officers achieve and maintain a high- performance standard based on a thorough knowledge of, and adherence to, established resettlement policies and procedures regarding current refugee processing eligibility criteria, database, and file management guidelines, the role of US Resettlement Agencies and refugee producing country conditions.

Major Responsibilities:

• Learn and implement established IRC Resettlement Support Centre (RSC Asia), Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Refugee Processing Centre (RPC) policies and procedures. • Conduct prescreening interviews and case updates of refugee applicants in accordance with USRAP guidelines and the cooperative agreement and in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of the US Resettlement Program and background information relevant to specific caseloads • Provide support to USCIS Circuit Rides, including roll call, case composition updates, file review, decision letter preparation and distribution. • Implement complete quality control of documentations and ensure all required documents are available both in START and the physical file before returning for file storage • Keep immediate supervisor informed of developments in daily caseloads, including any urgent protection or medical conditions of applicants and their families • Perform work in adherence to policy and procedure • Perform timely advanced casework on special caseloads in a manner that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of USRAP policies and practices • Travel independently to regional locations outside and within Thailand to conduct prescreening interviews and provide USCIS support. • Responds to case-specific inquiries from other RSC staff • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Casework Manager Position directly supervises: None Indirect Reporting: N/A Other Internal and/or external contacts Internal: IRC Thailand Staff External: UNHCR, IOM, Other

Qualifications

Job Requirements

Education: University degree in any field

Work Experience:

• At least two years of relevant professional experience with previous data entry experience required • Resettlement processing, interview experience, or other NGO experience is preferred • Previous work in a multi-cultural environment is advantageous

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Able to travel whenever required, both domestically and internationally • High level of professionalism while carrying duties per the SOPs (ie. integrity and confidentiality) • Able to perform data processing/data collection through good listening and analytical skills • Good time management skills and ability to multitask • Able to work effectively under pressure, and with repetitive work, within specified targets and deadlines • Proven data entry/management skills • Meticulously attentive to details with high accuracy, and manages own quality control • Problem-solver who takes initiative to provide solutions • Good report writing skills – ability to produce precise and error free reports • Good communication skills with pleasant demeanor • Able to multitask, work effectively under pressure and manage repetitive work • A team player who is also able to think and work independently • Flexible and able to work in fast-paced, multi-cultural environment

Language and Computes Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written English language skills required. • Working knowledge of a refugee language is desirable. • High level of computer literacy and proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook) is required. • Proven advanced data entry skills with extreme accuracy, attention to detail, and self-checking abilities required. • Ability to type 40 words per minute required.

Working Environment:

The position is currently based in Bangkok, primarily in office environments with travel to processing locations. The position may require both domestic and international travel to support delivery of USRAP processing within Thailand and throughout the region. A valid passport and the ability to acquire US and other visas, as necessary, is a requirement. The employee is required to adhere to The IRC Way for professional conduct, as well as to be in compliance with all relevant IRC and donor policies and procedures while carrying out his/her duties.

Standards of Professional Conduct

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.