ThaiNGO

Title:                                                Consultant - Cultural Orientation Trainer

Total number of consultants:         1

Country Program:                           RSC, Thailand

Proposed Dates:                             Mar – 30 Sep 2022

Duration:                                        6 – 7 months

Application Deadline:                    9 March 2022

Background of the project 

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.

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 38 countries, the RSC prepares refugee applications for the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), provides information to resettlement agencies about arriving refugees, and offers cultural orientation training to those refugees bound for the United States.

Scope of work:

As part of US Refugee Resettlement processing, Cultural Orientation (CO) is an essential phase where refugees are given an orientation (between one and five days) to assist them in their adjustment and integration into life in the U.S. Some areas covered during these classes include education, housing, US law, healthcare services, employment and money management, and US laws. Each training session is tailored to a specific refugee population and its demographics. The temporary trainer is responsible for delivering classes and carrying out any administrative and support activities required by the orientation program. See: https://coresourceexchange.org/about-cultural-orientation/ for more information about CO.

The Temporary Cultural Orientation (CO) Trainer is responsible for conducting cultural orientation class in accordance with USRAP guidelines and the curriculum developed by RSC. The Temporary CO Trainer works closely with the other Trainers/Senior CO Trainers based in Mae Sot and provides training for a wide range of participant groups including unaccompanied minors, sensitive cases, family classes, etc. The Temporary CO Trainer is also responsible for assisting the development and maintenance of CO curriculum and materials. This position requires domestic travel, including refugee camp locations, detention centers, and the Bangkok office. Occasional weekend work may also be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct CO training sessions; in-person, virtual, and phone CO for adults, children, youth, unaccompanied refugee minors, and families resettling to the United States.
• Conduct CO training sessions in various RSC Asia locations, including remote sessions.
• Foster a learner-centered environment in the classroom through which refugees build an understanding of the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for a successful resettlement experience.
• Organize classroom supplies and materials necessary for an interactive environment.
• Maintain accurate attendance records.
• Ensure all data is accurately entered into START, including CO scheduling and post-CO data entry, as needed.
• Monitor and train refugee support staff who help with interpretation, childcare, and other services as required.
• Ensure upkeep and functionality of CO sites in close coordination with Senior CO Trainer and Senior Site Maintenance Officer.
• Assist with the development and design of the CO curriculum including suggestions for updates and improvements.
• Maintain close contact with the Senior CO trainer and CO Manager.
• Maintain a current understanding of the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and resettlement issues related to CO.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Deliverables:

1. The Temporary Cultural Orientation Trainer will deliver compelling learner-centered trainings to refugees bound for the United States in accordance with the curriculum developed by RSC Asia as assigned.
2. The Temporary Cultural Orientation Trainer shall maintain accurate class attendance records and related documentation as required.
3. The Temporary Cultural Orientation Trainer acknowledges the importance of all established written policies of IRC, particularly including but not limited to those relating to conduct, IRC’s mandatory reporting policies, IRC’s security policies, and RSC program integrity guidelines.
4. The Temporary Cultural Orientation Trainer agrees to strictly abide by and follow all such policies and will inform the IRC of any deviation from these policies.

Duration of Work: from March 2022 to 30 September 2022

Payment Rate and Schedule:

1.  The Temporary Cultural Orientation Trainer shall submit a timesheet signed by the IRC supervisor for services’ fees by the end of each month.

2.   Payment will be made by bank direct deposit each month.

3.  The Temporary Cultural Orientation Trainer shall fulfill all required tax registration and shall provide all such registration information and documents to IRC, as IRC may reasonably request.  IRC may withhold for taxes as may be required by law and shall provide withholding certificates to the Cultural Orientation Trainer, accordingly.

Requirements:

Education:

University degree in relevant field, or equivalent professional experience

Work Experience:

• Experience teaching/training adults preferably in a refugee context
• Experience teaching/training children/youth is a plus
• Prior experience in refugee resettlement processing is strongly preferred

Demonstrated skills:

• Willingness and ability to travel camp locations and work on the weekends to meet program needs.
• Flexibility and the ability to work well under pressure in a fast-paced team environment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills: ability to work effectively with colleagues in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, work independently, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines.

Languages and computer skills:

• Knowledge of Karen and/or Burmese language is a plus.
• Computer Literacy – high level of competence in MS Office i.e., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, Outlook.

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.

If you are interested, please submit your cover letter together with your CV to the below:

Thailand.HR@rescue.org