Deputy Director, Resettlement Support Center

Background/IRC Summary:  The IRC Resettlement Support Center East Asia (RSC) opened in October 2005 to assist refugees seeking permanent resettlement in the United States.  RSC assists refugees in completing applications for consideration by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and transmits pertinent information to organizations in the U.S. offering sponsorship arrangements for those granted admission.  If an applicant is approved for resettlement, RSC staff guide the refugee through post adjudication steps, including obtaining medical screening exams and sponsorship assurances from U.S. resettlement agencies.  Finally, RSC prepares refugees destined for resettlement in the U.S through cultural orientation.  The RSC primarily assists refugees in Thailand and Malaysia but also conducts prescreening and DHS support missions in China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and other countries in the region.

Job Overview/Summary: The Deputy Director (DD) of RSC is a senior managerial position and responsible for day to day oversight of all program and operational functions of the IRC RSC project in Malaysia.  The DD reports to the Director of the RSC (DRSC) and directly supervises the Program Coordinators, the Operations Coordinator and the Senior Finance Manager.  The DD also serves as the point of contact for USRAP partners in Malaysia and plays a key role in the RESC strategic planning process.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Quality and Delivery

• Ensure that fiscal year processing targets for Malaysia, including prescreening and presentations to DHS CIS, are met.
• Oversee the Worldwide Refugee Access Processing System (WRAPS) – functions of RSC in Malaysia.
• Develop and monitor the RSC Malaysia project budget in coordinator with the Senior Finance Manager and the DRSC
• Promote a team approach and positive learning environment utilizing RSC Thailand, IrC headquarters, program and operations staff and other partners to continually enhance the quality of refugee processing and cultural orientation implementation and delivery.
• Consult with and make recommendations to the DRSC on operations issues such as pipeline management and planning
• Report to the DRSC in a timely and thorough way on all programmatic/staff problems, donor/government issues or any other information of concern to the IRC

Key Partners & Donor Relations

• Ensure that monthly programmatic, statistical, and financial information for RSC Malaysia are provided to the DRSC for preparation and submission to IRC New York, PRM, USCIS, the US Embassy in Bangkok and US-based resettlement agencies.
• Maintain excellent strategic relationship with USRAP program partners in Malaysia, including USCIS, UNHCR and IOM.
• Represent RSC to the refugee community through Information Campaign activities and attendance at regular CBO meetings.
• Take the lead on visitor management activities, in cooperation with DRSC, including developing itineraries, briefing books, scheduling and presentations.

Human Resource Management, Staff Development & Retention

• Lead a coherent senior management team, with regular meetings, clear roles and authorities, and an inclusive approach.
• Oversee management of RSC national and international staff in Malaysia to ensure an efficient, cooperative and quality-conscious workforce capable of meeting emerging programmatic challenges.
• Develop a positive work environment for all staff supported by a professional level human resource management function.
• Support and hold management staff accountable for providing staff development opportunities and planning
• Review, in coordination with senior RSC management team, yearly work and performance plans to ensure long-term and short-term priorities are on track and aligned with grant objectives.  Provide performance feedback on a timely and regular basis.
• Ensure that RSC Malaysia is within employee and employer compliance as required by IRC Human Resources Policies, report problems or issues immediately to DRSC.

Security & Operations Management

• Promote coordination and teamwork between program and operations staff to ensure quality program delivery.
• Working with RSC management team to ensure the implementation and monitoring of financial and operational policy and procedures to ensure constant compliance with IRC and donor policies.
• In coordination with the Senior Regional Safety and Security Advisor ensure that the security management plan for the country is updated and ensure the consistent monitoring and analysis of the security environment and adherence by all staff to the IRC security protocols and procedures.
• Prepare and monitor project budget in close cooperation with DRSC and IRC Finance Department.
• Ensure that IT infrastructure supports RSC programmatic needs, including WRAPS.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Director, Resettlement Support Center
• Direct Supervision to: Program Coordinators (2), Operations Coordinator and Senior Finance  Manager

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: Regional Director, Deputy Regional Director for Operations, Senior Program Coordinator RSC Thailand and WRAPS Reporting Contractor
• External: PRM Washington, US Embassy; Malaysia and Thailand, UNHCR Malaysia, IOM Malaysia, USCIS Malaysia and Thailand, RPC Washington and Community Based Organizations.

Job Requirements:

Education

• Bachelors Degree required

Work Experience

• Minimum 5 years work experience in refugee processing and/or refugee resettlement
• Demonstrated knowledge of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
• Minimum 5 years program management experience, including experience in managing a multi-cultural staff

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• Proven people management and leadership skills: the ability to lead staff and promote productivity in a pleasant work environment
• Strong strategic planning, monitoring, management, supervision, and budgeting expertise
• Strong communication skills, both interpersonal and written.

Others: Able to travel to locations within East Asia region.

Working Environment:  The employee is required to adhere to the “IRC Way” for professional conducts, as well as to be in compliance with all relevant Policies and Procedures while carrying his/her duties.

All other employee terms and conditions shall be as per stipulated in the Employment Contract and/or Employee Handbook.