Back Education Program Coordinator

IRC BACKGROUND

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. One aspect of the IRC is to assist refugees resettling in the United States. The IRC opened a Denver office in 2016 to provide reception and placement services to newly arrived refugees. The office is slated to resettle more than 600 refugees and 500 Afghan parolees in the coming federal fiscal year. Wraparound program services and holistic supports aim to realize positive impact in clients’ safety, health, education, economic wellbeing, and power. Some services are limited to refugees and other Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)-eligible populations, while others are open to a broader population of refugees, immigrants, and forcibly displaced people.

The IRC in Denver’s approach is client-centered, empowerment-focused, trauma-informed, and multigenerational. Advancing racial equity and narrowing the gender gap are priorities for the IRC in Denver. The team’s efforts in this space are ongoing and evolving. Current work is focused on participating in learning and dialogue to deepen understanding and awareness of systemic inequities and systems of oppression; building an internal organizational culture that reflects a commitment to antiracism and gender equality for clients as well as staff, volunteers, and the broader community; engaging clients more deeply in making decisions that affect them, whether at the individual, household, program, or organizational level; using our power and influence to advocate for rules, policies, and laws that address inequities experienced by the people we serve and seek systemic change for the benefit of all who are impacted by these inequities; undertaking intentional efforts to shift dynamics and promote power sharing between leadership and the broader team as well as between staff and clients; and examining and changing practices in recruitment, recognition, and other areas of employee engagement and talent development to prioritize access to opportunity and work toward full inclusion and belonging for clients, staff, and volunteers who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and LGBTQI, as well as those who have lived experience as refugees and immigrants.

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JOB OVERVIEW

As an integral part of the IRC in Denver’s Education and Learning team and working in close coordination with the Resettlement and Integration team, the Education Coordinator is responsible for directing a coordinated suite of programs to provide year-round educational support. For children and youth, this is accomplished through school enrollment support, tutoring, academic coaching during the school year, a youth academy during the summer, and other activities to promote quality out-of-school time learning. For adults, this includes Cultural Orientation, English as a Second Language (ESL) access, Job Readiness Training, and other focus areas such as vocational training, digital literacy, and more.

The Education Coordinator develops and monitors departmental annual and strategic plans in consultation with the broader Education and Learning team as well as colleagues from the Resettlement and Integration team. This staff member ensures program goals are met; supervises and supports Youth and Adult Education staff; leads the development of grants supporting the education programming; and ensures reporting, compliance and budgeting requirements are satisfied through oversight of team members and activities. The Education Coordinator oversees the design, planning and implementation of programming delivered by Youth and Adult Education staff and volunteers, and guides program changes based on data, best practices, feedback from clients, and community needs. In addition, this staff member oversees the program’s knowledge management to ensure the continuity of programming and resources. This position reports to the Education and Learning Manager for the IRC in the Denver office.

The Education Program’s work is driven by a belief in the capability of all clients, a commitment to empowering clients and promoting self-efficacy, and a strong orientation toward trauma-responsive and compassionate approaches to help clients set and move toward goals. The Education Coordinator ensures consistency with these beliefs, and ensures that services are delivered in a timely, professional, and efficient manner, and are aligned with client needs, IRC quality standards, applicable policies and procedures; relevant local and state regulations, established federal guidelines, and donor requirements.

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MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Major responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program Design, Implementation, and Management

• Oversee Youth Program operations; manage full portfolio of Youth Program funding sources; create team workplans to assure that quality practices are implemented, and program outcomes are met.
• Oversee Adult Education classes, including coordination of class schedules, enrollment and registration, pre- and post-testing, volunteer training and supervision, curriculum development and instructional quality.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders including schools, school districts, funders, community organizations, and other agencies to expand clients’ access to appropriate services and support.
• Collaborate across IRC in Denver programs to ensure services meet quality standards and guidelines; review and approve plans, guide approaches, and oversee implementation of education programming.
• Proactively identify and address barriers to educational access and related supports.
• Make program-wide decisions based on feedback from stakeholders, particularly program participants.
• Supervise a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) structure to promote participants’ wellbeing and to ensure appropriate support is offered to participants based on their individual needs.
• Develop data collection, analysis, and reporting systems; establish monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure effective programming.
• Research and implement best practices for working with vulnerable youth, including Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) and English Language Learners (ELLs), for positive development and academic success.

People Management

• Recruit, train, supervise and lead Education Program staff and provide appropriate coaching, mentoring and support.
• Provide quality human resource management including regular check-ins, feedback, and performance evaluation of direct reports.
• Build staff capacity to engage participants in a trauma-informed manner, including de-escalation skills.
• Support staff as they conduct outreach to recruit clients to participate in activities.
• Supervise staff implementing the academic coaching program to help families and students navigate school systems.
• Supervise Youth Enrollment Specialists to ensure prompt enrollment in school for recently arrived children, in accordance with timeframes established per donor requirements.
• Supervise the Youth Academy Specialist as they design, coordinate, and implement the youth summer academy.

Development, Monitoring and Evaluation

• In coordination with the Development team, develop proposals to ensure continuous program service delivery.
• Ensure all programmatic, contractual and donor requirements and IRC standards of care are met.
• Prepare reports on program activities and accomplishments per donor requirements.
• In coordination with the Finance team, develop and monitor program budgets.
• Supervise staff in meeting deadlines for timely and accurate financial reporting and client-related recordkeeping, including the use of Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) and Immigration & Refugee Information System (IRIS).
• Evaluate outcome data to identify program strengths and areas for improvement.

Other

• Represent the IRC in Denver’s Education Program in the local community and develop and maintain strategic partnerships with other voluntary agencies, state, and local partners.
• Proactively engage in resource development and community partnerships though grant writing, external stakeholder meetings, active participation in IRC’s RAI Youth Community of Practice calls, and other opportunities to improve practice.
• Contribute to Youth and Education initiatives across IRC RAI network, including child safeguarding.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

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JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Degree or equivalent years of work experience in education, youth services, social work or related field required.

Work Experience

• Minimum five (5) years of professional work experience with progressive levels of responsibility, including at least two (2) years of supervisory and program management experience to ensure high program quality and impact.
• Minimum three (3) years related professional experience working in youth development, education, or other relevant setting; Experience with social-emotional learning, STEM, and/or other relevant curriculum preferred.
• Minimum two (2) years of nonprofit program coordination, management or equivalent experience required; experience working with refugee and/or immigrant youth strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated ability in designing and implementing youth programs and in developing community partnerships. Experience working with U.S. school systems.
• Solid diplomacy, relationship building and networking skills. Able to effectively manage internal and external relationships, including with clients, community stakeholders, and donors.
• Experience advocating for child development standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to safeguarding principles to ensure the wellbeing of children and families.
• Grant writing experience.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when working cross-culturally, across languages, and with individuals with low literacy and/or limited English proficiency.
• Ability to think and work independently.
• Flexibility, capable of working under pressure with deadlines and managing multiple priorities.
• Superb organizational, planning, time and task management and logistical skills.
• Strong decision-making capabilities, with solid judgement and ethics consistent with the IRC Way.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), internet applications and relational databases.
• Use of a reliable personal vehicle preferred, with valid driver’s license and current insurance.
• Ability to occasionally work flexible hours, including nights and weekends, is required.

Language Skills

• Strong English language skills, including written and verbal communications as well as presentations.
• Proficiency in Kiswahili, Arabic, French, Dari and/or Pashto or other relevant languages a plus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Standard office environment with frequent travel in and around the Denver metro area to facilitate service delivery, build community relationships, and engage with clients and community partners, with opportunity for some remote work.
• The IRC in Denver strives to offer a positive working environment, with intentional efforts to ensure that it is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible for all. Staff are required to adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates under policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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.

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 and inclusive organization. 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 based on 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 at IRC.Denver@rescue.org to request accommodation.

Compensation and Benefits: This is a full-time, regular position classified as exempt and ineligible for overtime under state and federal law. Starting compensation is $52,500-$64,000/ annually depending on experience and qualifications. We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, this total compensation package includes: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month with low to no deductible; dental insurance starting at $7 per month; vision insurance starting at $5 per month; FSA for healthcare, dependent care, and commuter costs; a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested employer matching; disability & life insurance; generous parental leave; 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. The IRC in Denver actively promotes learning and growth for its team, through staff development accounts, access to talent development offerings, and opportunities to engage with IRC colleagues and represent the Denver office through special roles and assignments.