Early Childhood Navigator

IRC Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. IRC reaches over 50,000 clients annually across the US through programs for resettled refugees, asylum seekers, and unaccompanied children, survivors of torture and trafficking, and individuals from local communities welcoming newcomers.

Scope of work:

The Early Childhood Navigator serves caregivers of children ages 0-5 through Refugee School Impact programming. The Early Childhood Navigator assists with program intakes, provides information and guidance on childcare options and preschool, connects caregivers to relevant resources and provides child development instruction through Parent as Teacher curriculum. The IRC in Dallas Education and Learning Department serves around 370 clients annually across programming including Refugee School Impact and Refugee Youth Mentorship.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to

Client Services

• Conduct intakes with eligible program participants to assess the needs of each individual/family.
• Identify and connect with licensed childcare providers and preschools who may partner with IRC.
• Perform outreach and education to caregivers on the benefits of enrolling children in childcare and preschool.
• Liaise between childcare providers, preschool, parents, caseworkers, employment specialists, and other relevant colleagues.
• Assist interested caregivers with applications for childcare and financial resources (through childcare provider or government assistance).
• Lead caregivers through Parents as Teachers curriculum in their homes.
• Provide follow-up with providers and families to assess the effectiveness of childcare plans.
• Provide case management services as necessary.

Compliance Documentation

• Conduct pre- and post-assessments of caregivers’ understanding of age-appropriate resources, activities, and childcare options.
• Ensure required intake documents are fully completed and service plan updated as appropriate.

Team/Office Participation

• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned.
• Work as part of a team to provide comprehensive strength-based services to IRC clients through coordination of cases and effective communication between team members and departments.
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency, placing importance on client confidentiality.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Youth Program Coordinator

Position directly supervises: N/A
Other Internal and/or external contacts: DallasEducation and Learning Manager**,** HQ Youth and Education Technical Adviser

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, early childhood education, or related field of study is preferred. Comparable work experience considered.
• Two years experience preferred.
• Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills and the proven ability to prioritize duties and manage time effectively;​
• Strong written and oral and interpersonal communication skills: the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and partners in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment, and the ability to present to a varied public
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written; Bilingual in Dari, Pashto, Spanish, or other client language is a plus but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook);​
• Valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area (home visits, agency visits, service provider visits etc.);​
• Enthusiastic about working in a multi-cultural setting.​

Working Environment:

• Standard, professional office environment;​
• Regular travel to off-site locations varies;​
• Access to a reliable vehicle to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area;

Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days (depending on role and tenure), medical insurance starting at $145 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus a 3-7% base IRC contribution (3 year vesting), disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.