Specialist, Proof of Registration Exemptions

Type: Full-time 

Location: Remote in the U.S. with availability to work a schedule aligned with Eastern Standard Time (EST) 

Salary: $75,000

Reports to: Team Lead 

Benefits: CSH offers an excellent benefits package, flexible work schedule, and generous vacation and wellness leave.   

About Community Sponsorship Hub  

The Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH) is a dynamic organization dedicated to growing the role of communities in the protection, resettlement, and integration of refugees and other forcibly displaced people. Mobilizing civil society, and the public, private, and philanthropic sectors, and empowering them with resources and access, we shape and coordinate a community sponsorship system that leverages the power of welcoming Americans.    

CSH operates in the United States (New York, Washington, D.C., and remote) as a project that is fiscally sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. CSH is committed to creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. CSH is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, country of origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.  

About Private Sponsorship for Refugees  

The Department of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) recently launched Welcome Corps, a Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) program as part of the Administration’s efforts to expand community sponsorship in refugee resettlement.  Community Sponsorship Hub and its consortium develop and implement the infrastructure to welcome and support thousands of refugees by equipping lawful permanent residents and citizens to welcome newcomers and experience the benefits of resettlement firsthand. The program allows Americans to consistently engage in sponsorship and meaningfully enhance integration outcomes for refugees. The PSR pilot program builds on previous successes in community sponsorship programs to expand resettlement capacity in the United States and diversify welcoming communities, bringing new perspectives, and increasing opportunities to take part in resettlement.   

Position Overview

The Specialist, Proof of Registration (POR)R Exemptions will play a pivotal role in establishing and overseeing the POR exemptions process.  They will supervise a small team of reviewers both internally and through partners to shape and execute requirements and procedures. Building on a successful exemptions pilot in Year 1 of Welcome Corps, this role will continue to develop the exemptions work to ensure applications are processed expeditiously and with diligence. This includes communicating with private sponsors and institutions about applications and troubleshooting challenges during review. They will also work in concert with the processing team to integrate new requirements and guidance into various aspects of the vetting process.

Additionally, this role will collaborate with PRM stakeholders to ensure guidelines are up-to-date and data trends and insights are shared accordingly. They will develop and maintain programmatic workplans, train partners and key staff on the process, and oversee the database and tech enhancements to improve systems and processing times.  The Specialist, POR Exemptions reports to the Team Lead, who is supervised by the Associate Director for Processing.  

Key Responsibilities 

include but are not limited to: 

Training, Guidance, and Oversight: 

• Update and maintain exemption review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training manuals for exemption review teams 
• Provide guidance on the cases that are flagged for further review by exemption reviewers 
• Conduct periodical reviews of exemption cases across each review team to ensure compliance with SOPs and guidelines and identify ongoing training needs 
• Lead bi-weekly office hours with POR exemption reviewers to provide updated case review guidance, training on any updates to the case review database, and answering questions from reviewers. 
• Conduct additional trainings and 1:1 support meetings for existing and new POR exemption reviewers as needed 
• Research, gather information, and keep abreast of country and population-specific conditions. Maintain an updated list of host country exit permissions guidance.  

Stakeholder Coordination: 

• Coordinate with P4 Pilot Private Sponsor Organizations (PSOs), PRM, CSH Vetting teams, and IT support as appropriate  
• Flag emerging issues that arise in exemption case reviews for guidance from PRM and other stakeholders 

Workflow and Database Management: 

• In coordination with IT support team, maintain both automated and manual case assignment protocols, ensuring that review teams are operating within their agreed up on capacity and ensuring that priority cases are flagged for expedited review and processed in a timely manner. 
• Assign priority cases to reviewers according to ongoing guidance from the Team Lead and PRM. 
• In coordination with Team Lead and other stakeholders, continue to streamline and improve exemption processing workflows, overseeing any necessary database updates and enhancements. 

Qualifications 

• 3+ years of experience working in U.S. or international refugee resettlement and/or U.S. asylum work.
• 2+ years of supervisory experience  .
• BA in areas of study relevant to migration, refugee resettlement, or law.
• Experience developing and overseeing systems and standard operating procedures. 
• Experience reviewing legal documents, preferably US immigration documents.
• Review of refugee status determination (RSD) a plus. 
• Familiarity with the U.S. legal definition of “refugee” and its application in U.S. refugee resettlement and/or the U.S. asylum system. Familiarity with exclusion and inadmissibility criteria under U.S. immigration law 
• Strong research skills, especially country conditions research in relation to humanitarian protection. 
• Fluency in Spanish and Arabic is an advantage  

Commitment to Racial Equity and Social Justice 

CSH strongly encourages applications from individuals with lived experience in the communities we serve or whose identities are underrepresented in the immigration and protection profession. 

Candidates must: 

• Have an unwavering commitment to advancing racial equity and ensuring this is reflected throughout the organization’s programs. 
• Recognize the intersection of race and economics in shaping education and employment opportunities. 
• Work to elevate and amplify the voices of the refugees and displaced persons we serve. 

No phone calls or email inquiries, please.