Position: Partnerships Manager, NGO Referrals
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Grade/Step: 8/0    
Starting salary:  273,095
Reports to: Technical - Manager, NGO Referrals Program (Boston)
                  Administrative - Coordinator, Resettlement and Complimentary Pathways (Nairobi)
Supervises: N/A
 
RefugePoint is a nonprofit that helps refugees safely rebuild their lives. For refugees who are safe where they are, we help them to become self-reliant so they can achieve social and economic stability. For refugees who are not safe where they are, we help them relocate through resettlement or other pathways to safety. We also influence global policy and practice to improve how the world supports refugees.

The  Partnerships Manager, NGO Referrals works within a team that is comprised of RefugePoint resettlement unit colleagues, staff from member organisations of the Equitable Resettlement Access Consortium (ERAC, and ERAC partner organisations to increase equitable access to the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) for highly vulnerable refugees in need of resettlement through NGO referrals. This position requires the highest degree of professionalism, ethical commitment, and integrity to carry out the assigned responsibilities. 

The position is based primarily in RefugePoint’s office in Nairobi, Kenya, within the Resettlement Unit. The role entails a roving component to support partner organisations in the Southern Africa and West and Central Africa regions and other regions depending on the needs of the program. Dual lines of supervision are maintained, with the Boston-based Manager, NGO Referrals Program serving as the technical supervisor and the Nairobi-based Coordinator, Resettlement and Complementary Pathways serving as the administrative supervisor.

This grant-funded position is term-limited, effective from the date of hire through September 29, 2025. However, RefugePoint contracts are yearly. This contract would be from the date of hire to December 31, 2024, with a possibility of extension to September 29, 2025 based on performance. Extension beyond that date is dependent on the availability of grant funds and may only be extended by a written agreement. Furthermore, any such extension is subject to mutual agreement between the employee and RefugePoint.

Overall Objective: 
The primary focus of this position will be to help build the capacity of partner organisations to make resettlement referrals to the USRAP. In doing so, this position will support current field-building efforts and other activities to expand and support the network of NGOs providing access to resettlement. 

Specific Responsibilities:

• Training and Technical Assistance:

  • Collaborate with RefugePoint and Equitable Resettlement Access Consortium (ERAC) staff to develop resettlement-specific tools, including forms, guidance documents, standard operating procedures, and training materials and curriculum, drawing on existing materials developed by RefugePoint, UNHCR, peer organisations, etc. Help package, catalogue, and maintain these resources. 

  • Assess opportunities and deliver training to partners related to international refugee protection, refugee resettlement as a durable solution, resettlement fraud and integrity, and U.S. refugee law and policy. Training modalities will include a combination of in-person, recorded, self-study, remote, and peer-to-peer, engaging RefugePoint technical staff and established partners as needed.

  • Serve as the primary focal point to provide technical assistance to partner staff working to identify individuals with resettlement needs, generate protection referrals, and prepare and review high-quality RRFs for submission to the USRAP. This may involve remote support for partner organisations, occasional in-person trips, and possibly longer deployments/secondments to partner offices to support activities tied to the program’s objectives.

  • Conduct pre- and post-training evaluations. Document and utilise feedback to continuously improve training materials, curricula, and technical support. 

  • In conjunction with the supervisor, develop a system to: effectively assess technical assistance needs and provide ongoing, remote technical support; and encourage peer-to-peer learning, troubleshooting, and collaboration amongst technical staff working on resettlement referrals across multiple locations. 

  • In conjunction with the supervisor, and the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team, track the impact of training and ongoing technical assistance provided to partners, as well as the quality of resettlement services being provided to clients. 

• Resettlement Casework:

  • As and when necessary, carry out quality resettlement casework for onward referral to the USRAP, supporting the ERAC to meet regional quotas for Sub-Saharan Africa. This will involve conducting resettlement interviews and preparing Resettlement Registration Forms (RRFs) and any other resettlement-related casework per ERAC guidelines and procedures. 

  • Review RRFs and supporting documentation of cases submitted for resettlement consideration across RefugePoint programs. The review process should be in line with applicable SOPs and ensure full compliance with integrity safeguards. 

  • Provide feedback to resettlement caseworkers during the review process with a view to improving and strengthening the quality of referrals to the USRAP. 

• Field Building:

  • Support RefugePoint and ERAC activities to expand and strengthen a regional network of actors providing equitable resettlement access through NGO referrals. 

  • In conjunction with the supervisor, support the onboarding of new ERAC partners, focusing primarily on those outside of Kenya. Provide the necessary orientation, training, and ongoing technical assistance to stand up a small-scale resettlement program centred on ERAC best practices, standards, and procedures. 

  • In coordination with new and existing ERAC partners, where necessary, support the development and refinement of resettlement case identification mechanisms, paying particular attention to integrity and prevention of resettlement-related fraud.  

  • In conjunction with the resettlement team in Nairobi, work with a local network of protection referral partners to strengthen case identification mechanisms and generate a pipeline of highly vulnerable refugees with diverse profiles for resettlement consideration.

• Anti-Fraud and Integrity:

  • In conjunction with the supervisor, support the ERAC partners’ efforts to develop and strengthen anti-fraud measures and safeguards in the resettlement program.

• Other:

  • Contribute to ongoing informal monitoring of partner activities and progress toward objectives. 

  • Conduct and document periodic, on-site formal monitoring with partner organisations, as requested by the supervisor.

  • Coordinate closely with colleagues from RefugePoint’s resettlement team in Nairobi to gather input in design processes, facilitate the exchange of learning, and communicate and support the implementation of ERAC requirements in Kenya and beyond as they evolve.

  • Gather timely and accurate information to support programmatic reporting.

  • Participate in activities to evaluate the program’s impact and identify lessons and best practices together with the supervisor and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) colleagues.

  • Attend meetings and represent RefugePoint with external stakeholders as requested.

  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or five years of related experience required.

• Degree in Law or related field of study strongly preferred.

• 3 to 5 years of experience working in the refugee context, preferably in resettlement.

• Demonstrated program management experience.

• English language fluency required; French ability a plus.

• Ability to travel in Africa, sometimes on short notice and under difficult conditions, including to refugee camps, remote areas, and sometimes high-security environments.

• Commitment to adhere to RefugePoint and UNHCR Code of Conduct and conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Excellent organisational and time management skills.

• Demonstrated ability to develop effective training tools and resources to deliver technical assistance on topics related to resettlement. 

• Demonstrated experience delivering in-person and virtual group training to a variety of audiences, ideally with a focus on resettlement.

• Strong writing and analytical skills.

• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills.

• Ability to navigate administrative systems and work effectively and efficiently in a structured environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure, maintaining flexibility and attention to detail under challenging circumstances.

• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite; ability to quickly learn computer programs an advantage.

Special Requirement:

• Valid Police clearance certificate