Caseworker X 7 – South Africa National Hire

Position Title: Caseworker

Reports To: Field Processing Supervisor

Division: Immigration & Refugee Program+ (IRP+)

Department: Programs, Field Processing

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 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 responsible for implementing all United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) Field Processing activity at RSC Africa, ensuring that RSC Africa processing priorities and targets are met, that standard operating procedure are strictly followed and integrity is maintained throughout the process.

Essential Duties:

1. Achieves and maintains a high performance standard based on a thorough knowledge of, and adherence to, established Church World Service Resettlement Support Centre (CWS/RSC Africa), Department of State (DOS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and Refugee Processing Centre (RPC) policies and procedures regarding current refugee processing eligibility criteria, database, and file management guidelines, the role of US Resettlement Agencies and refugee producing country conditions;
2. Travels throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, as assigned, or works remotely to conduct resettlement interviews with refugee applicants, collecting biographical information and establishing refugee claims, in a dignified and professional manner;
3. Conducts the AOR Screening and Pre-screening One interview, either in person or remotely, per the daily minimums set by Field Processing Department Management, in a non-confrontational, objective, and dignified manner. This includes:

• Determining case composition and ensuring all refugee cases are cross-referenced according to established standard operating procedures;
• Establishing the validity of an applicant’s identity through verification of all demographic and biographic information including, but not limited to, names, nationalities, birth dates, and locations of all immediate family members in order to complete the refugee case history as required;
• Collecting all identity information including photographs, height, and weight;
• Documenting applicant’s persecution claim;
• Analysing, evaluating, and assessing the eligibility of refugee applicants for final adjudication by USCIS officers.

1. Prepares cases for USCIS, including reviewing physical and START files and constituting physical files;
2. Assists in Adjudications Circuit Rides, which includes completing post-Adjudication review, updating decisions and fingerprints, and preparing and distributing decision letters;
3. Runs Quality Check reports to ensure complete and accurate files, as well as identifies and correct processing errors prior to USCIS adjudication;
4. Identifies and reviews cases pending Prescreening and USCIS interviews in preparation for scheduling schedules the cases in START, generates reports for refugee/partner notification, ensures that the reports are centrally filed for easy retrieval, and updates START accordingly;
5. Works with other Operations departments as necessary to properly update the appropriate cases;
6. Assists as needed in preparing for circuit rides. This may include but is not limited to; requisitioning supplies, assisting GSO in preparation, packing of files, contacting interpreters, clean up at the end of the circuit ride, and other tasks as assigned by the Supervisors;
7. Completes and updates all case files and all database records;
8. Writes deferrals and info memos for referring agency action, as required;
9. Conducts file reviews in accordance with RSC and USCIS guidelines, paying close attention to detail.
10. Assists in various administrative tasks including but not limited to: research, locating files, data entry, and case analysis;
11. Analyses complex cases in consultation with Supervisors in accordance with established policies and procedures, while remaining open to supervisory direction;
12. Trains new staff as required and contributes to the development of Field Processing Department training procedures and their implementation;
13. Contributes to the development and updating of standard operating procedures for the Field Processing Department in coordination with Field Processing Department Supervisors, Managers and Field Processing Coordinator.

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Four (4) years work experience required
• Casework or previous resettlement experience is preferred;

Skills:

• Strong verbal and written English language skills;
• Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook;
• Strong organizational and time management skills;
• Meticulous attention to detail.

Education & Certifications:

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

Abilities:

• Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities;
• Maintain the integrity of official records;
• Analyze 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 Requirement:

• 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.