Best Interest Determinations (BIDs) Specialist
Reports to: Africa Regional Deployment Unit (ARDU) Manager
Department: Africa Regional Deployment Unit
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Grade: 5 (I)
Starting Salary: $35,000
Status: Exempt
RSC Africa The Resettlement Support Center (RSC) Africa operates a US refugee resettlement program in sub-Saharan Africa through a Cooperative Agreement with the Department of State/Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration. RSC Africa is responsible for the preparation of refugee case files for adjudication by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers, as well as the out-processing and cultural orientation of all approved cases.
RSC Africa is administered by the Church World Service Immigration Refugee Program (CWS/IRP) and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Benefits CWS Global and RSC Africa offer a total compensation package. The total compensation package includes a housing stipend, company life insurance,
comprehensive health insurance, vision coverage, a non-participatory 5% retirement contribution, 22 vacation days a year, 3 personal days per calendar year, 1 day of sick leave per month, AD&D insurance, Bereavement leave, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and optional dental coverage.
EEOC Church World Service does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or the provision of services.
Please note RSC Africa does not accept resumes for positions that are not posted. All applicants are required to submit their resume using the on-line applicant tracking system.
Eligibility List The eligibility list established as a result of this job posting will be used for a minimum of six months or until the list is exhausted. This list will be used to fill any current and immediate future vacancies. Individuals who are interested in this position should submit their applications materials now.
Communications
HR will use the e-mail you provided in ApplicantStack as the official means of communications for this recruitment process.
Primary Purpose
This position utilizes the strategic use of RSC deployments to UNHCR in order to increase referrals to the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) in Africa. UNHCR requires that Best Interest Determinations (BIDs) be conducted for all unaccompanied and separated refugee children being considered for resettlement.
RSC Africa seeks to work with UNHCR to help identify and prepare BID/BIA reports for relevant child populations for the purposes of identifying durable solutions, including resettlement to the USRAP.
The primary function of the BIDs Specialist is to support the program goals of ARDU through temporary deployments to UNHCR offices throughout sub-Saharan Africa in order to support refugee resettlement activities, including interviewing and preparing BID/BIA reports.
Supervision
This position reports to the ARDU Manager.
Essential Duties
- In conjunction with UNHCR and child protection partners, consults and analyzes all information, and interviews unaccompanied and separated refugee children for the purpose of preparing BID reports for consideration by a BID panel.
- Under guidance of UNHCR BID Supervisor, works within confidential case management protocols and established UNHCR Standard Operating Procedures.
- Completes and updates all case files and database records as per UNHCR guidelines.
- Monitors outstanding cases and follows-up with relevant UNHCR Resettlement units as available.
- Makes assessments and reports, and liaises with UNHCR Protection and Resettlement Units to ensure the smooth processing of referral submissions.
- Travels on deployments to UNHCR locations, often on short notice.
- Submits regular reports to ARDU Manager in line with deployment goals and objectives.
- Maintains current knowledge of refugee situations, with an emphasis on child refugee populations served in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Actively participates as a member of the UNHCR team; and complies with UNHCR’s security requirements.
- In field, undertakes additional related duties as agreed upon by the ARDU Manager, UNHCR Supervisor and deployees.
- Contributes to the development of deployment training topics, procedures and implementation.
- Undertakes additional assigned duties to support ARDU, including administrative tasks, not limited to: data entry, data analysis and research.
Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, law, social work, or a related field of study required.
Advanced degree preferred.
Experience:
- One and a half years of related experience in child protection or child welfare is required.
- Supervisory experience is required.
- Previous confidential case management experience, including use of age-appropriate and gender-sensitive interview techniques is required.
- Experience working with local and/or international partners, particularly in a child protection framework required.
- 4 to 6 years relevant work experience, including in a developing country context is preferred.
Knowledge/Skills:
- Thorough knowledge of international child protection framework and UNHCR BID Guidelines and Procedures.
- Demonstrated knowledge of resettlement processes as well as the USRAP.
- Excellent interviewing and counseling skills.
- Excellent drafting, writing and analytical skills.
- Spoken and written fluency in English; secondary language skills, such as Kiswahili, French, Arabic and other African regional languages are an advantage.
- Monitoring and evaluations skills desirable.
- Strong computer skills, in particular Microsoft Office.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Abilities:
The BIDs Specialist must have the ability to:
- conduct assessments and identify protection risks of refugee children populations;
- work effectively with partners and teams;
- remain collegial and flexible, including managing heavy workload under pressure;
- travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and sometimes under difficult conditions, including refugee camps;
- communicate effectively both verbally and in writing;
- follow instructions from the Supervisor with a positive and receptive attitude;
- deal effectively and courteously with a large number of associates, outside agencies, refugees and members of the general public;
- conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner to represent the best interests of RSC Africa and CWS/IRP;
- maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
- carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision;
- work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa;
- take initiative in the development and completion of projects;
lead others and address issues as they arise;
- maintain strict confidentiality with RSC Africa administrative and operational information;
- manage a large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities;
- analyze and solve complex problems and make sound decisions;
- work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation;
- effectively manage RSC Africa’s resources;
- actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Working Conditions
Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/ pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and carrying/ lifting moderate loads.
Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, harsh weather climates, dust and infectious diseases, working in confined quarters and dangerous insects, animals, reptiles, spiders, etc.
Special Requirements
- Background check which includes references and an educational criminal check is required before the start of employment.
- A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
- The candidate should be of good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions, and have a high degree of flexibility.
- Must be legally eligible to work and obtain a work permit in Kenya.
- Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa.
- Employee will be entrusted with the receipt, custody and payment of money.
Licensing/Certification: None
Competencies
Communication
Ensure effective exchanges of information with others. Examples of skills and behaviors include speaking to others respectfully; expressing ideas in a logical, organized way; sharing information appropriately; and clarity and conciseness in written communication.
Relationships
Ensure constructive and supportive interactions with others. Examples of skills and behaviors include being positive and supportive when working with others; sharing information and resources freely; resolving conflict constructively; and proactively working to remove obstacles to success for others.
Job Knowledge
Utilize and apply job related knowledge to complete job tasks at a level that meets or exceeds expectations. Examples of skills and behaviors include utilizing job knowledge to solve problems or develop new approaches; maintaining or enhancing skills through continuing education; and taking on projects that will develop or enhance skills.
Teamwork
Work effectively and contribute as a member of a team. Examples of skills and behaviors include supporting other team members by sharing information; covering the work of others during absences, vacations etc.; and actively participating in developing ideas for ways to increase team effectiveness.
Problem Solving
Analyze information and develop solutions to challenges that arise during the course of performing a job. Examples of skills and behaviors include researching and collecting facts; defining the issues and the parties affected; formulating options/solutions for addressing the problem; and engendering support for and implementing the solution.
Operational Leadership
Successfully lead a group to achieve operational goals. Examples of skills and behaviors include priority setting; timely decision making; planning and organizing; delegation; and managing and measuring work.
Building and Leading
Effective Teams Earn the respect of team members, create strong morale and spirit on the team and utilize the unique skills of all team members. Examples of skills and behaviors include managing diverse relationships; flexibility; being open and receptive; running effective team meetings; and exhibiting integrity and trustworthiness.
Strategic Leadership
Accurately anticipate future consequences and trends and translate them into the fulfillment of workable strategies and plans. Examples of skills and behaviors include problem solving; dealing with ambiguity, creativity; innovation management and business acumen.
Application
Materials Your application materials should clearly indicate how you meet the requirements of the position. Be sure your resume is in an easy to read format. Dates of employment on your resume should be in mm/yy format.
Due to the volume of applications that we receive, only those individuals shortlisted will be contacted.
Closing date: 30 May 2014
Please note RSC Africa does not accept resumes for positions that are not posted. All applicants are required to submit their resume using the on-line applicant tracking system.
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