Refugee Program Associate

TITLE: Refugee Program Associate

DIVISION: Local

HIRING MANAGER: Israel Program Manager

SUPERVISOR: Israel Program Manager

LOCATION: Tel Aviv-Israel

HIAS is the global Jewish non-profit that protects refugees whose lives are in danger for being who they are. We help refugees rebuild their lives and advocate that all displaced people are treated with dignity. The HIAS Austria office as the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) processes refugee cases for resettlement to the US through a contract with the US State Department. The RSC Austria also operates a small sub-office in Tel Aviv, Israel to process refugees for resettlement to the US.

Purpose of the role:

Responsible for managing and improving the working relationship with local US Embassy Panel Physician while also working with the team to ensure all refugee processing activities are completed

Primary Responsibilities

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing relationship with the US Embassy Panel Physician identifying pain points, challenges, and opportunities for improvement
Build and maintain the relationship with the US Embassy Panel Physician in order to ensure efficient processing of refugee applicant medical exams
Proactively address and resolve conflicts, disagreements, and operational issues that may arise in the partnership
Act as the main office focal point regarding all medical related manners for refugee applicants and the US Embassy Panel Physician
Work closely with applicants regarding all required medical appointments
Conduct Quality Checks - document verification checks, request corrections, missing documents and track receipt, following-up as required until the required documents have been received
Work closely with HIAS country office regarding logistic and finance issues including petty cash, travel reimbursements and specialist appointments to ensure timely payment of invoices and reporting on costs vs. budget
Schedule and confirm necessary appointments for refugee processing, including updating databases
Ensure that refugees are able to attend all scheduled interviews and honor departure arrangements by
Ensuring that refugees are informed about scheduled interview and departure arrangements in good time, updating all relevant systems and contacts
Organizing ground transportation
Escorting refugees to the airport for final departure; providing necessary assistance at the airport if required
Create travel packets for departing refugees according to IOM and RSC guidelines
Attend work-related trainings and contribute to team meetings, face-to-face or remotely
Liaise with UNHCR, government authorities and other external organizations as necessary
Conduct one-on-one interviews with applicants to gather basic applicant biographical information updating START as necessary, mostly with the aid of an interpreter
Any other tasks as assigned by Israel Program Manager

Key skills and attributes

Fluency in English and Hebrew required
Fluency in Tigrinya or Arabic is an advantage
Strong communication and conflict resolution skills
Knowledge and experience with the Israeli health care system is an asset
Strong attention to detail – able to remain focused and produce quality work, even under pressure
Comfortable having difficult and honest conversations regarding expectations with vendors and partners while maintaining a professional demeanor
Knowledge of medical terminology is an advantage
Maturity, professionalism and sensitivity to manage sometimes difficult or traumatized applicants
A flexible, mature and professional attitude to work
Highly organized and able to manage multiple, conflicting priorities
Proven interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity
Confident working with databases to access and enter information
Has the discretion and experience to represent the office internally and externally
Ability to use Excel to analyze, present and track information
Ability to work independently and produce consistently high quality work
Required to undertake travel within Israel as needed

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, skills required or permanent location. Location is subject to change based on programmatic needs. Flexibility is essential as we grow and develop. The successful candidate must be comfortable in a fast-paced, changing work environment with many crucial deadlines. All team members may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours of responsibilities as needed.

HIRING PROCESS

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a Human Resources staff person.

Step 3: Interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: Reference check.

Step 6: Offer and background check.

Step 7: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • ????? ?????? (Hachnasat Orchim)

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • ??? (Tzedek)

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • ??? (Chesed)

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • ?????? (Chevruta)

We Believe in Changing the World through Partnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • ???? (Ometz)

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • ??? (Ruach)

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating our Resilience

DIVERSITY

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.