Small Business Counselor

Job Overview: The Small Business Counselor will support the continued development of the IRC’s Small Business Development Program. This position offers one-on-one business advice on start-up assistance, financial literacy, selling online, managing a business, and more. The program focuses on enhancing partnerships with local organizations, small businesses, and the entrepreneurial community to provide assistance to refugee and immigrant communities. Assistance includes financial assistance and access to capital; contracting and procurement; marketing, operations, business development, and exporting; and industry-specific training.

Responsibilities:

• Assist in conducting outreach and recruitment of participants, screen interested individuals for eligibility.
• Provide one-on-one business counseling and management assistance to new and existing small businesses including start-up and expansion.
• Lead training programs on a variety of topics including marketing, financial literacy, starting a business, best business practices, etc.
• Data entry to log key outcomes such as milestones, scope of work, surveys, etc.
• Maintain accurate program records and eligibility information, including case files and client data entry.
• Assist business financing readiness through loan application preparation, business plans, and financial statements.
• Underwrite and package loan applications.
• Proactively facilitate referrals to outside service providers as necessary to meet the diverse needs of the program participants.
• Conduct individual case management and loan collections, including “off-site” technical assistance visits to the businesses or homes of program participants.
• Assist in the planning and coordination of training activities and special events.
• Develop outreach materials and assist with communication with partners.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with other IRC staff and volunteers as part of the review, evaluation, and program maintenance process.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: Undergraduate degree in Business Administration, Finances, Public Administration, or related field. Business experience may be substituted.

Work Experience:

• 1+ years of experience in small business development counseling and training or as a small business operator.
• Excellent digital literacy, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Familiarity with assessing business training needs and analysis of the following: financial reports, business, marketing plans, and market research.
• Prior experience working with immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs is strongly desired.
• Experience in the non-profit sector is strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Excellent organizational, record-keeping, and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven track record in conducting effective instructional sessions.
• Proficiency in a second language a plus.
• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.

Working Environment:

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

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.

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 $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, 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.