Refugee School Impact Specialist

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to forcibly displaced people due to war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 29 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC helps refugees resettle and become self-sufficient. The IRC-Wichita office has been providing services to newly arrived refugees since 2011. The IRC-Wichita office serves refugees and immigrants by providing resettlement and placement, family strengthening services through trauma informed care, economic empowerment, youth and adult education and immigration services provided by a Department of Justice accredited legal representative. The IRC helps those in need to rebuild their lives and regain control of their future in their new home.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Refugee School Impact (RSI) Specialist engages in the coordination and support of IRC’s refugee youth programming in alignment with organizational goals. Program coordination includes robust partnerships with local schools and community organizations, parent, and whole family engagement as it related to schools, initiatives crafted to remove barriers of first-generation refugee youth in achieving academic progression, and programming which promotes social-emotional learning and community integration. This position will also work closely with the state office with subcontracts with schools working directly with eligible youth populations. The RSI Specialist reports directly to the Education Manager.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop resources and expand partnerships which promote the success of refugee students, through material design and partner engagement.
• Nurture partnerships with schools and other youth service agencies to advocate and provide support for refugee youth.
• Research, implement, and teach innovative methodologies for working with vulnerable youth.
• Assess that quality practices are implemented, and program outcomes are met; maintain data and reports indicating such.
• Serve as a focal point in the community for referrals to youth programs and mainstream services.
• Design and implement programs, activities, workshops, and services which directly contribute to positive outcomes for refugee students, their families, and their schools.
• Comply with all IRC policies, procedures and protocols including adherence to the IRC Way and Child Safeguarding.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMEMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree required, studies in education, teaching, English language acquisition or similar field preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year experience working with students required; public school, SEI environments, or ELL experience preferred.
• Computer proficiency with an emphasis on Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook). Proven experience in web-based data entry systems.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Strategic, creative, problem solver capable of working well independently and as a part of a team.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred in Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Burmese, or other refugee/immigrant language used in Kansas.
• Cross-cultural understanding and strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, active insurance policy, access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area for home visits.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

Compensation: 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.