Community Engagement Assistant

BACKGROUND

Since 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee UK is part of the IRC global network, which is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through over 20 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC also helps refugees resettle in the US and become self-sufficient.

The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.

IRC UK

IRC UK was established in London in 1997 to support the organisation’s global activities and particularly to diversify its donor base and be able to better advocate with European policy-makers on behalf of the people we serve. Since its establishment IRC UK has grown rapidly and is now acknowledged for its high-quality project management, technical expertise in governance and rights and economic recovery, and innovative thinking on early recovery and gender-based violence. IRC UK comprises approximately 160 staff. The IRC UK recently launched its first Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) programme in the UK called RISE, working in partnership with local councils, to provide integration support to resettled refugees in Southeast England which includes a peer mentorship component and now has the opportunity to engage with community and corporate volunteers to support refugee employment.**

The Purpose of the Role

The Community Engagement Assistant is responsible for supporting the recruitment, training and management of refugee and community mentors and is the main focal point for corporate and community volunteers engaged in IRC’s programming in the UK

Key Working Relationships:

The position reports to the Senior Integration Officer. The Community Engagement Assistant also works closely with the RISE Project Manager, Integration Officers and Refugee Employment Specialist. **

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Volunteer and Mentor Coordination

· In collaboration with programme staff, create and maintain accurate, up-to-date job descriptions for all volunteer opportunities.

· Recruit, screen, orient and match volunteers with appropriate service opportunities, in accordance with IRC volunteer guidelines;

· Maintain tracking on all volunteers, ensuring required documentation is complete, accurate and on file;

· Coordinate the scheduling of on-boarding orientations with HR and trainings with programme staff;

· Assist with administrative needs for all new volunteers such as follow up of background screenings and completion of paperwork;

· Provide ongoing support to volunteers throughout their service period;

· Record and report all volunteer time and keep accurate, appropriately documented electronic and paper records of service time;

· Recognize volunteers and their service through events and communications;

· Support scheduling of volunteer guest speakers at RISE activities.

External Relations

· Assist in planning and executing special events and outreach activities to volunteers and referring partners;

· In coordination with Integration Officers support the facilitation of referring partner information sessions;

· Develop and distribute community partner outreach flyers and mailings.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Relevant work experience in a non-profit or NGO setting;

• Professional written and oral communication skills in English;

• Comfortable with MS office and online platforms such as mail chimp;

• Event planning and coordination experience;

• Demonstrated success working in a multi-cultural environment;

• Proven communication and networking skills: the ability to effectively handle a variety of stakeholders;

• Ability to travel to the service delivery area.

You must have the right to work in the UK.