Cultural Orientation Trainer

Position Title: Cultural Orientation Trainer

Reports To: Cultural Orientation Supervisor

Division : Immigration & Refugee Program+ (IRP+)

Department: Programs, Cultural Orientation

Job Location: Pretoria, South Africa

Grade Level: Grade 4, Senior Assistant, National

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 based on 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 to provide cultural orientation training to refugees approved for resettlement to the United States in accordance with US Refugee Admission Program (USRAP) guidelines and RSC Africa CO standard operating procedures. Training takes place in various locations and in Refugee Camp mostly and sometimes in other urban and camp locations throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

Essential Duties:

1. Maintains a current knowledge of the US and US Refugee Admissions Program;
2. Prepares for cultural orientation circuit rides by reviewing information about participants to be trained, developing lesson plans specific to those participants, gathering and packing necessary training materials, hiring interpreters and child minders, and printing class lists and name tags in coordination with CO Supervisor and other circuit ride team members;
3. Conducts cultural orientation training in urban and camp locations throughout Africa;
4. Assists in writing trip reports upon return from CO circuit rides in collaboration with other circuit ride team members for submission to the Program Manager;
5. Assists with the logistical planning, represents CWS/RSC Africa to partners in the field, ensures that standard operating procedures are being followed, and consults with CWS RSC Africa regarding matters of concern;
6. Updates Worldwide Refugee Admissions System (START) to reflect participation in CO. Actively participates in circuit ride briefings and debriefings;
7. Works on projects related to CO curriculum development, training materials development and other aspects of the CO division as assigned;
8. Performs other duties which may be assigned by the CO Supervisor, the Program Manager, CO Manager and or the CO Coordinator to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of the CO program.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Four (4) years’ work experience is required;
• Six (6) months experience in education or training required;
• Two (2) years’ work experience in any or a combination of the following is preferred: training; field work carrying out program activities; liaising with agency partners and/or vendors; logistical experience organizing field missions. Relevant experience in the United States strongly preferred. Experience working with refugees preferred;

Skills:

• Demonstrated computer skills in database systems, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the internet.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field required or four years of directly related experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree.

Abilities:

• 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);

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 Pretoria, South Africa.
• This position always requires use of laptops, 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 the demands of a dynamic operational program.
• Driver’s License Code 08.
• Background check, which includes references, and an educational criminal check is required before the start of employment for International applicants.
• 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.
• Internationals – International applicants must be legally eligible to work and obtain a work permit in South Africa OR A valid U.S. passport and the ability to maintain a valid U.S. passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
• 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.
• 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.

Disclaimer: Please note that this position is subject to the approval of funding and only upon approval will the position be filled.