Job Description
Position Title: Caseworker
Reports To: Field Processing Supervisor.
Division : Immigration & Refugee Program+ (IRP+)
Department: Field Processing
Job Location:Nairobi, Kenya
Grade Level: 4 (N), Associate Specialist
FLSA and Union Status: Non-exempt and Non-Bargaining
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 procedures are strictly followed and integrity 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:
a. Determining case composition and ensures all refugee cases are cross-referenced
according to established standard operating procedures.
b. 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.
c. Collecting all identity information including photographs, height, and weight.
d. Documenting applicant’s persecution claim.
e. Analysing, evaluating, and assessing the eligibility of refugee applicants for final
adjudication by USCIS officers.
4. Prepares cases for USCIS, including reviewing physical and START database files and constituting
physical files.
5. Assists in Adjudications Circuit Rides, which includes completing post-Adjudication review,
updating decisions and fingerprints, and preparing and distributing decision letters.
6. Runs Quality Check reports to ensure complete and accurate files, as well as identifies and correct
processing errors prior to USCIS adjudication.
7. Identifies and reviews cases pending Prescreening and USCIS interviews in preparation for
scheduling, schedules the cases in the START database, generates reports for refugee/partner
notification, ensures that the reports are centrally filed for easy retrieval, and updates the START
database accordingly.
8. Works with other Operations departments as necessary to properly update the appropriate cases.
9. 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.
10. Completes and updates all case files and all database records.
11. Writes deferrals and info memos for referring agency action, as required.
12. Conducts file reviews in accordance with RSC and USCIS guidelines, paying close attention to
detail.
13. Assists in various administrative tasks including but not limited to: research, locating files, data
entry, and case analysis.
14. Analyses complex cases in consultation with Supervisors in accordance with established policies
and procedures, while remaining open to supervisory direction.
15. Trains new staff as required and contributes to the development of Field Processing Department
training procedures and their implementation.
16. 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.
This position also undertakes other duties as assigned by CWS/RSC Africa Management.
Qualifications:
Experience:
-Casework or previous resettlement experience is preferred.
Skills:
-Strong verbal and written English language skills;
-Second language an advantage; Somali, Tigrinya, French, Amharic, Kinyarwanda or Arabic
preferred;
-Demonstrated computer skills, especially Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook;
-Strong organizational and time management skills;
-Meticulous attention to detail.
Abilities:
-Manage large and diverse workload under pressure with competing priorities.
-Interview refugees remotely;
-Accurately type 40 WPM at 96% accuracy;
-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;
-Work well as a team in a multi-cultural environment while maintaining a high level of motivation;
-Actively participate in the implementation of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Education and Certifications:
-Bachelor’s Degree or four (4) years of paid work experience in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree is
required.
Important Requirements:
-Ability to communicate fluently, both written and oral, in English
-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/Remove if not applicable.
-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 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.
-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.
-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.
-This position is contingent upon approval of funding.