Technical Advisor, Workforce Development

Job Overview:

The Technical Advisor, Workforce Development supports IRC’s Economic Empowerment (EE) programs in nearly 30 US cities and, intermittently in Europe and on other international projects. The Technical Advisor, Workforce Development, is responsible for providing subject matter expertise (workforce development) to a diverse continuum of internal and external stakeholders including program staff and practitioners. This position provides guidance on program development and implementation, supports evaluation and continuous improvement of workforce development programs, provides project management of key grant-funded initiatives, plays a key role in resource development activities in support of programming, contributes to thought leadership in this sector, and supports quality and excellence in programming.

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Support

• With a high degree of independence, ensure that IRC’s domestic EE programs (workforce development) are technically sound and of highest quality; strong focus on workforce development programs
• Directly provide on-site technical support and assistance in the design, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of EE programming, in particular workforce development programs
• Directly provide, develop, and adapt tools, policy and curriculum to support quality and consistent program delivery, in particular in the area of employment, career development and workforce development
• Establish best practices and develop resources to support replication of successful EE models, with emphasis on workforce and career pathway programs
• Coordinate delivery of technical training within the workforce team as well as across the broader EE TU
• Contribute significantly to internal working group(s) on workforce development and related EE program areas
• Monitor and report to the Senior Technical Advisor, Economic Empowerment (Workforce Development) on the successes and challenges of programming in this sector
• Stay abreast of trends in the sector including public systems at the municipal, state, and federal level, evidence-based models, industry partnerships, and other key topics
• Provide project management and leadership to specific, technical unit led grant-funded initiatives as assigned

Strategy, policy & institutional capacity building

• Demonstrate best practices and internal and external learning around workforce development and integration of EE services with other core sectors
• Directly support field offices in planning for and staffing workforce development programs

Business Development and Representation

• In collaboration with technical unit colleagues, support growth and sustainability of financial and technical resources that support the achievement of RAI economic wellbeing outcomes, especially workforce development
• In collaboration with technical unit colleagues, build corporate and institutional partnerships that promote opportunities for employment and career-laddering for USP clients
• Play a central role in the development of concept notes and proposals for EE programs, in particular workforce development programs
• Provide guidance and support to field offices to effectively access funding and provide technical review of proposals prepared by field staff
• Build the capacity of workforce development team members to effectively engage in business development activities

Assessment & Evaluation

• Take a proactive approach to learning and ensuring that intervention methodologies are evidence-based
• In coordination with the EE TU data team, support tracking, compilation and analysis of key indicators and outcomes for programming in this sector
• In collaboration with colleagues, adapt and develop evidence-based tools for measurement and assessments of programming in this sector

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to: Senior Technical Advisor, Economic Empowerment (Workforce Development)

The TA maintains close working relationships with program managers and leaders in the field, and technical staff in the field offices, staff in the Program Excellence unit, Research, Analysis and Learning unit, Resource Acquisition and Institutional Partnerships & Philanthropy teams.

Job Requirements:

• Masters/post-graduate degree in a related field strongly preferred
• Minimum of five years of experience with progressive responsibility in implementation of workforce development or related programming required
• Demonstrated experience implementing publicly funded workforce development programs including WIOA, SNAP E&T, Welfare-to-Work, and similar programs strongly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action
• Demonstrated experience building career pathway programs that include public and private sector partners such as workforce development boards, community colleges, industry, and labor
• Demonstrated understanding of workforce development services a must; experience with financial literacy, asset development, micro-lending or related programs a plus, ideally within the context of serving low-income immigrant and refugee communities
• Demonstrated success in securing public and private funding, in particular related to workforce development
• Demonstrated experience working with system-level partners to implement programming; experience providing technical assistance to system-level partners preferred
• Strong track record of external and public relations with partners and donors
• Excellent communication, teambuilding and interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time and meet deadlines, and proven ability to work under pressure

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.

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.

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.