Keiko Foster
Annandale,USA
Summary
Dedicated humanitarian project management professional with a strong background in human resources, eager to develop and implement effective strategies that enhance organisational efficiency. Skilled at bridging the gap between strategic policy priorities and operational realities on the ground to deliver optimal solutions.
Proven track record of optimising workflows and improving efficiency by streamlining processes, boosting productivity, and driving operational excellence.
Experienced in talent acquisition, employee engagement, and policy implementation. A dependable team player focused on achieving organisational goals and adapting to evolving business needs, with strong communication and problem-solving abilities.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Human Resources Officer, US Refugee Admission Program
IOM Washington DC
01.2024 - Current
- Lead implementation and ongoing maintenance of the job architectures in the area of resettlement, mobility and pathways that seek to standardize job structures globally.
- Lead staff movements, transfers, deployments as well as Program rightsizing globally.
- Lead deployments of surge staff to the locations where Program is expanding.
- Act as a Focal Point for the external HR Companies in terms of recruitment and deployment of IOM staff and non-IOM staff for the work in emergency areas.
- Create and manage HR tracking systems and tools of USRAP recruitments and deployment and ensure all HR are regularly updated.
- Facilitate the maintenance and upkeep of the CO’s HR/Training database.
- Support and provide guidance with roll-out and implementation of new policies, instructions and procedures as necessary.
- Propose appropriate and effective recruitment strategy for rapid expansion reflecting the Program needs and country specific sensitivities, country local challenges.
- Supervise and monitor staff in the HR Business Partner Unit in the US Refugee Admission Program (USRAP).
- Achievements:
- Developed and implemented an infographic of the program staff dashboard, to track the areas, functions and demographic information of over 5000 staff engaged in US Refugee Admission Program globally.
- Developed the SharePoint site for USRAP Business Partner, which includes recruitment Q and A, the interview protocol bank, the generic post descriptions library.
- Conducted thorough review of the job architecture of the area of resettlement and movement management and released an updated guide.
- Collaborated with department heads to identify workforce needs and create staffing strategies.
- Analyzed HR metrics to drive improvements in recruitment, retention, and employee satisfaction rates.
- Coordinated new hire onboarding, completing background checks and reference checks to complete screenings.
- Assisted in workforce planning efforts by analyzing staffing needs based on organizational goals and growth projections.
- Participated in cross-functional projects aimed at improving overall organizational performance.
- Assisted with writing job postings and job descriptions for boards.
Senior HR Assistant
IOM Washington DC
07.2022 - 12.2023
- Implementation of the RMM Job Architecture standardization in missions with movement operations activities.
- Implementation and management of the Background Checks, including the oversight, contract management, policy advice, and stakeholder liaison.
- Development and management of the knowledge management system in relation to USRAP global recruitment process.
- Assistance with the RMM HR-Business Partner and hiring managers in preparing standardized post descriptions for the Resettlement Support Center (RSC), Port of Entry (POE) and RMM Job Architectures and blended or individual post descriptions for mission-specific positions.
- Assistance with the RMM HR-Business Partner in guiding missions through restructuring exercises according to the Job Architectures and other relevant instructions.
- Assistance with missions in planning restructuring exercises; enacting comparative review and advertisement of position exercises; and coordinating restructuring with HRM.
- Provision of guidance and information on recruitment, restructuring, job architecture implementation and other HR topics and sharing relevant resources as needed.
- Achievements:
- Developed and implemented a standard operating procedures and monitoring tool to manage USRAP Background Checks, which resulted in reducing the overall processing time approximately by 25%.
- Developed the SharePoint site for USRAP Business Partner, which includes recruitment Q and A, the interview protocol bank, the generic post descriptions library.
Senior HR Assistant
IOM Washington DC
04.2022 - 07.2022
- I implement the First Advantage (FADV) background check process, including
- Issuing background check notices
- Initiating background check profiles in the FADV platform
- Trouble-shooting issues as they arise and liaising with candidates on their background check processes
- Updating USRAP Oversight Officer, HR Business Partner, REC and relevant managers with the progress of individual background checks
- Liaising with FADV as needed to resolve any issues related to the background check process, 5) invoice reconciliation, and
- Maintaining a database of background check requests and results.
- Managed recruitment processes, enhancing candidate experience and streamlining hiring workflows.
- Mentored junior staff, fostering professional development and knowledge sharing within HR team.
Senior Operations Assistant
IOM Canberra
01.2015 - 03.2022
- I coordinated and implemented of the following programmes:
- Australian Resettlement Program under the Assisted Passage contract between Department of Home Affairs and IOM.
- New Zealand Refugee Quota Programme under the Memorandum of Understanding between IOM and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and IOM.
- General self-payer travel assistance programme for migrants to Australia and New Zealand.
- Achievements:
- Developed and implemented a monitoring tool to manage arrivals of refugee and humanitarian program beneficiaries under Australian Humanitarian Settlement Program (2022).
- Coordinated emergency resettlement assistance for over 5,300 Afghan evacuees in Australia after the allied withdrawal from Afghanistan (2021).
- Coordinated the Framework Agreement for resettlement assistance between IOM and the Government of New Zealand (2021).
- Established a regular reporting mechanism for IOM’s resettlement assistance in Australia and New Zealand under COVID-19 context (2020).
- Coordinated the tender document and contract for resettlement assistance between IOM and the Government of Australia (2019 and 2021).
- Coordinated the pilot phase of offshore Settlement Health Assessment for NZ quota refugees (2020).
- Organised Australia and New Zealand Resettlement Programme Workshops in three regions (2018-19) and the global workshop for the movement operations staff working for Australia and New Zealand movements (2016).
- Developed and implemented the interface between MiMOSA and Australian government’s Humanitarian Settlement Program system for resettlement-related data (2017).
- Streamlined operational workflows to enhance efficiency in daily tasks.
- Coordinated cross-departmental communication to facilitate project completion.
- Provided mentorship to junior staff, fostering skill development and teamwork.
- Implemented best practices in data management to ensure compliance with organizational standards.
- Analyzed operational processes, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and service enhancement.
- Managed scheduling and resource allocation, optimizing team performance across projects.
- Managed multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing workload to meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.
- Assisted in budget preparation and monitoring, ensuring financial targets were met consistently across departments.
- Spearheaded process improvement initiatives for better overall operational performance and cost savings.
- Improved operational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new workflow systems.
- Generated reports detailing findings and recommendations.
- Conducted regular reviews of operations and identified areas for improvement.
- Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data.
- Facilitated effective communication between cross-functional teams, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Served as a key liaison between operations and other departments, facilitating communication and collaboration to drive overall business success.
Operations Assistant
IOM Canberra
01.2009 - 01.2015
- I coordinated project development and implementation of:
- Migration and resettlement travel assistance for various visa holders moving to Australia and New Zealand.
- New Zealand Refugee Quota Programme.
- Achievements:
- Aligned the movement operations activities in Australia with the Organization’s global movement management standards.
- Developed beneficiary management system for the self-payer programme in Australia and New Zealand.
- Assisted development and rollout of MiMOSA web as a Subject Matter Expert.
- Assisted in the preparation of reports, compiling data to support decision-making within departmental operations.
- Supported project management initiatives, contributing to the development and implementation of operational strategies.
- Assisted operations manager with planning of routine operations and special projects.
- Collaborated with other departments to foster smooth operation of daily processes.
- Contributed to development of operational procedures to improve efficiency and accuracy.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals within specified timelines.
- Enhanced data accuracy by overseeing transition to new database management system.
- Assisted with preparation of operational reports, providing insights for strategic planning sessions.
- Managed day-to-day department operations with effective workflow coordination.
- Coordinated daily operational tasks, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to organizational standards.
Operations Assistant
IOM Canberra
01.2002 - 01.2009
- I coordinated project development and implementation of:
- Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme for failed asylum seekers in Australia’s Offshore Processing Centre (Nauru and Papua New Guinea).
- Immigration Information and Counselling Programme (Assisted Voluntary Return of irregular migrants residing in Australia).
- Achievements:
- Coordinated several agreements for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration assistance between IOM and the Government of Australia.
- Aligned the movement operations and Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration activities in Australia with the Organization’s global movement management standards.
- Developed the data collection mechanism for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme.
- Implemented and managed MiMOSA (SQL version) rollout and development of relating training package for the staff in IOM.
- Implemented and managed Amadeus Global Distribution System in IOM Canberra, including provision of training to the operations staff.
- Coordinated daily operational tasks, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to organizational standards.
- Streamlined documentation processes, enhancing accuracy and reducing processing time for various administrative functions.
- Facilitated communication between departments, improving collaboration and information sharing across teams.
- Analyzed operational workflows, identifying bottlenecks and recommending enhancements to increase efficiency.
- Solved problems timely and effectively, ensuring customer satisfaction.
- Managed day-to-day department operations with effective workflow coordination.
- Assisted in the development of standard operating procedures to maintain consistency and accuracy across all tasks.
Education
Master of Arts - International Relations
School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University
Canberra, Australia01.2000
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts (American Studies)
International Christian University
Tokyo, Japan01.1996
Skills
- Stakeholder liaison
- Experience managing challenging beneficiaries and stakeholders
- Strong understanding of information technologies including the MS office suite
- Data analysis and interpretation
- Report writing and editing
- Computer operation and basic programming
- Team leadership and management
- Work-load management and prioritization
- Staff training
- Designing standard operational procedures
- Extensive understanding of Australia and New Zealand migration and refugee resettlement policies and their implementation
- Extensive experience in working in a culturally diverse environment
- Organizational development
- HR policies and procedures
- Employee relations
- Records maintenance
- Talent management
- Background checks
- Recruitment
- Workforce planning
- Job analysis
- Recruitment strategies
- HR analytics
- Microsoft office
- Contract negotiation
- Recruitment management
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Employee hiring
- Policy interpretation
- Employment data tracking
- Data analysis
- Database maintenance
- Strategic planning
- Talent acquisition
- Project management
- Report preparation
Accomplishments
- 1998-2000 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship, for a Master of Arts in International Relations at the Australian National University.
- 1996 Dr. Makoto Saito Academic Award: a university award for an exceptional senior thesis in American Studies at the International Christian University.
Certification
- Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), IOM -
- Certified [Job Title], [Company Name] - [Timeframe]
- [Area of certification] Training - [Timeframe]
Languages
French
Limited Working
English
Full Professional
Japanese
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Martial Arts
- Volunteering for community initiatives to give back to local communities and make a positive impact
- Volunteer Work
- Camping
- Baking
- Cycling
Timeline
Human Resources Officer, US Refugee Admission Program
IOM Washington DC
01.2024 - Current
Senior HR Assistant
IOM Washington DC
07.2022 - 12.2023
Senior HR Assistant
IOM Washington DC
04.2022 - 07.2022
Senior Operations Assistant
IOM Canberra
01.2015 - 03.2022
Operations Assistant
IOM Canberra
01.2009 - 01.2015
Operations Assistant
IOM Canberra
01.2002 - 01.2009
Master of Arts - International Relations
School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts (American Studies)
International Christian University
Workplace Training
- Flight booking, fares and ticketing (Amadeus)
- Global migration database (MiMOSA)
- Global Airline Ticket Order Record (IGATOR)
- Advanced Movement and Operations training
- IOM Project Management-PRIMA Training
- IOM Project Development training
- Geographical Information System (GIS)
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
- IOM Data Protection Principles
- Programme Integrity Guidelines
- Working with interpreters
- Fraud and Malfeasance Prevention
- Working with People with Diverse SOGIESC
- Working with Children
- Working with Older People
- Australian First Aid
Activities
- I am a co-founder of the Canberra Japan Club Community Language School. I am also a committee member of Canberra Japan Club Inc. In both those positions I have secured the funding for the social and welfare services for the Japanese migrants and diaspora in Canberra.
- I am one of the founders of Environment Management System committee in IOM Australia and have been committed to make offices in IOM Australia more environmentally sustainable.
- Karate and cycling are my regular sports, but I also enjoy tennis, skiing and running. I am a member of the International Ryukyu Karate Research Society and I had volunteered at children’s karate classes as a training assistant in Canberra for 2 years. Currently I am training at Beikoku Shidokan Okinawan Karate dojo in Alexandria.
- I regularly play piano and organ. I was an organist at church in Japan. I also teach my children how to play piano.