Senior Cultural Orientation Program Officer (National Position)

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary:

Founded in 1933, International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development.

The Resettlement Support Center Asia (RSC Asia), funded by the US State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM), assists persons throughout Asia seeking permanent resettlement in the United States. Responsible for a portfolio of 37 countries, RSC Asia: 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. RSC Asia is based in Bangkok, Thailand, with a sub-office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Senior Cultural Orientation Program Officer is responsible for assisting in the day-to-day oversight of the Cultural Orientation (CO) program, as well as conducting CO training, and supporting the publishing of CO curricula. The Senior CO Program Officer leads the monitoring of quality control checks of CO related data to create and maintain CO schedules, call lists, classroom attendance sheets, and related documents for Thailand and Regional departures. This position will liaise with CO staff in Mae Sot, Kuala Lumpur, other RSC departments, and IRC Administration and Finance departments, and reports to the CO Manager in Bangkok.

Major Responsibilities:

• Oversee the scheduling of Thailand-based CO staff in coordination with the CO and Training Coordinator (CO Coordinator), CO Managers, and Senior CO Trainers, and maintain the staff location and leave calendar; • Maintain electronic administrative records related to CO activities including class schedules, call lists, attendance records, and other related documents; • Ensure the accurate maintenance of START database records including CO scheduling, list generation, and post-CO data entry; • Communicate and work effectively and cooperatively with partner agencies including the UNHCR, IOM, the Regional Refugee Coordinator’s office, government offices, NGOs and CBOs as appropriate; • Assist in preparing statistical reports and narrative program reports for submission to the CO Coordinator; • In compliance with supply chain and donor requirements, responsible for acquisition of CO materials, maintaining inventory of CO materials and updating inventory records on a monthly basis; • Support the CO team and CO Coordinator with tasks related to administration and finance; • Facilitate the sending of CO materials to regional cases as needed; • Assist with the development and design of the CO curricula, including analyzing current curricula and applicant needs, and providing sound recommendations for updates and improvements based on the analysis; • Format and compile CO documents for CO curricula; • Conduct CO training sessions for at least 50% of the cases scheduled for CO in Bangkok; and support with CO training sessions in other RSC Asia locations, including providing virtual CO. • Maintain a current understanding of the overall U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and resettlement issues related to CO; • Update and create CO and information campaign posters using Adobe Illustrator or related software; • Perform other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to: Cultural Orientation Manager, Bangkok Other internal/external contacts: Internal: CO Manager and Senior CO Trainers, Mae Sot; CO & Training Coordinator; Operations staff External: USRAP partners including IOM, UNHCR, Regional Refugee Coordinator’s office, Thai Royal Government offices

Qualifications

Job Requirements:

Education: University degree in relevant field, or equivalent professional experience.

Work experience: • Experience assisting in organizational planning and/or administration of programs or teams.

Preferred: • One to two years of experience in teaching/training adults, preferably in a refugee or limited literacy context; • International experience with the United States or experience working internationally • Work experience with a non-governmental organization

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: • Solid organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, work independently, detailed oriented, set priorities, effectively manage time and meet deadlines a must; • Excellent interpersonal skills; empathy and ability to work effectively with colleagues, partners, and clients in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment; • Flexibility and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment; • Willingness and ability to travel to processing sites to meet the program’s needs;

Language and Computer Skills: • Excellent verbal and written English and Thai language skills • Computer Literacy – Proficiency in database management, Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook), and graphic software (i.e. Adobe Illustrator) a plus; • Familiarity with START preferred; • Ability to type 40 words per minute

Working Environment:

The position is located at the RSC office in Bangkok. While primarily operating in a standard office work environment, the position does require domestic travel to refugee camp locations and detention centers in Thailand, as well as possible international travel to support delivery of Cultural Orientation throughout the region. A valid passport and the ability to acquire visas, as necessary, is a requirement.

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.