Cultural Orientation Supervisor - International Hire

 Job Description

Position Title: Cultural Orientation Supervisor

Reports To: Cultural Orientation Manager

Division: Immigration & Refugee Program+ (IRP+)

Department: Programs, Cultural Orientation

Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Grade Level: Grade 7, Supervisor, International

Introduction: Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

Primary Purpose:

This position is primarily responsible for training, supporting, supervision, and evaluation of the Cultural Orientation Senior Trainers, Trainers, and Program Assistants in Nairobi and in field locations across Africa. The CO Supervisor actively oversees all aspects of the implementation of CO Circuit Rides (CRs), including daily oversight of CRs in the field, cultural orientation training to refugees approved for resettlement to the United States, circuit ride logistics, and security. In the supervisory role, the position also participates in hiring and ensures that CO field staff have the administrative and logistical support and resources they need to effectively carry out their jobs.

Essential Duties:

Compliance:

Ensures all CO training functions strictly adhere to the PRM, RPC, CWS and RSC Africa policies, guidelines and procedures.

Ensures development, implementation, dissemination, monitoring and adherence of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cultural orientation.

Conducts job function observations of CO staff to ensure compliance is met and identifies any areas of improvement or training needs.

Identifies and assists with regular process reviews.

Demonstrates ability to conduct logistical and administrative activities including Cultural Orientation training both in the field and remotely.

Travels to field locations to monitor CO training, conduct performance evaluations and meet with partners and vendors.

Data Management and Analysis:

Assists in ensuring RSC circuit rides are planned, revised and updated as needed until confirmed, and staff are prepared while ensuring all functions are completed in the most operationally responsible manner.

Assists in monitoring the movement of cases through the RSC Africa refugee pipeline so that cases receive CO according to the PRM Cooperative Agreement.

Develops work flows in response to department specific pipeline analysis to inform workload projections and staffing allocation.

Acts as the point person for Sr. Trainer, Trainer, and Program Assistant inquiries regarding CO.

In collaboration with CO management, assists in developing statistical reports and quality control checks that ensure accuracy and efficiency. Works with Data Integrity Unit to keep reports updated, accurate and accessible to frontline staff as needed.

Establishes effective communication systems regarding data and ensures reports are accurate efficient and reviewed regularly.

Assists with annual planning and strategic planning goals as communicated by the COC.

Writes trip reports and reviews those prepared by direct reports prior to distribution throughout CWS. In consultation with the CO Manager, follows up on issues related to partners and logistics.

Representation:

Maintains effective relationships with RSC implementing partners, including PRM, IOM, UNHCR, RPC and domestic Resettlement Agencies.

Ensures partner communication from the department is professional, timely and proactive. Represents organizational policies and culture to staff.

Ensures the workforce is professional when representing CWS/RSC Africa to refugees, partners, the funder and colleagues.

Performance management:

Provides direct supervision and leadership to frontline CO staff, including yearly performance evaluations, participating in hiring and coordinating leave management.

Develops and implements training modules for CO staff in coordination with the Training unit, and ensures that staff receive cross training on different aspects of refugee processing.

Communicates performance expectations and coordinates on-boarding and training of staff. Conducts coaching, mentoring, feedback and corrective action plans for direct reports.

Runs quality assurance reports and ensures accuracy of data from Cultural Orientation training activities and overall CO pipeline reports.

Monitors staff time and attendance while on CRs in coordination with CO supervisors.

Staff Care:

Monitors and ensures a safe, healthy and professional work environment. Ensures direct reports access and use their benefits appropriately including leave.

Actively supports staff by promoting safe space, open-door and the escalation policy. Establishes and communicates clear expectations to staff to foster a predictable and consistent work environment.

Ensures staff are safe in the field by coordinating with the RSC Staff Security office and CO management, and disseminating information related to staff safety in the field.

Program Administration:

Oversees implementation of cultural orientation activities in the field and remotely in close collaboration with CO Managers.

Develops and updates Standard Operating Procedures related to Cultural Orientation circuit ride activities to enhance consistency and coordination. Ensures implementation of USRAP processing guidelines within the CO department.

Assists in CO quarterly Travel Projections in collaboration with CO Managers. Delegates staffing for circuit ride, remote CO delivery activities and any other projects requiring CO staff.

Actively engages in circuit ride briefings and debriefings.

In collaboration with Scheduling Unit, oversees the scheduling of eligible individuals for cultural orientation training

Participates in training and on-boarding new staff.

Maintains records of all correspondence with partners.

Qualifications:

Experience:

Six (6) years of paid work experience required.

One (1) year of direct supervisory experience is required.

Two (2) years’ experience as a Cultural Orientation Senior Trainer or Trainer preferred.

Skills:

Thorough knowledge of the US Refugee Admissions Program and START database. Strong verbal and written English language skills.

Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Access. Excellent organizational and time management skills.

Meticulous attention to detail.

Abilities:

Supervise staff to ensure policies and procedures are implemented and executed in accordance with guidelines and standard operating procedures;

Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail, completing tasks within set timeframes;

Exercise good judgement and seek guidance as appropriate when confronted with unanticipated problems;

Deal effectively and courteously with a large number of associates, outside agencies, refugees and members of the general public;

Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.

Maintain the integrity of official records;

Analyse and solve complex problems and make sound decisions;

Work with minimal supervision

Maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;

Work independently and contribute to overall operations of RSC Africa;

Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Be flexible with changing of daily duties as needed.

Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.

Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Education & Certifications:

Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a related field; or four (4) years of paid work experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree is required.

Master’s degree preferred

Important Requirements:

Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.

Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Special Requirements:

COVID Vaccination is strongly recommended for all successful candidates

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 have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa

This position is based in (Nairobi, Kenya)

This position requires use of laptops at all time, competence in Microsoft office packages is required.

This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet demands of a dynamic operational program

Background check which includes references and an educational and 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.

International applicants must be legally eligible to work and obtain a work permit in Kenya

Physical: This position requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, kneeling, sitting, standing, walking, pushing/pulling, handling objects (manual dexterity), reaching above shoulder level, using fine finger movements and lifting/carrying heavy loads.

Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.

The US Embassy rates Kenya as both HIGH in crime and HIGH in terrorism. Incumbents should fully understand the insecurities present within Kenya and the region.

Full Time

All employees should be prepared to work from the CWS office within their location of hire. Remote work arrangements may vary depending on location and the governing rulings regarding the COVID-19 pandemic

How to Apply

Log on to CWS careers site - https://cwsglobal.org/work-with-cws/