Education and Learning Manager

Job Description

Job Overview:

The IRC in Denver assists newly arrived refugees and similar populations to foster the best possible initial resettlement experience, advance client self-sufficiency and promote community integration. Using a trauma-informed, client-centered approach that empowers clients, the Education and Learning Manager guides a team that strives to assist clients in meeting their education and learning needs and goals. This position will oversee a portfolio of education and learning-focused programs. For children and youth, this includes early childhood, school enrollment and navigation, social emotional and academic learning, positive youth development, and out-of-school time programming. 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. Additional education programs and services may be established in accordance with the office’s Strategic Action Plan.

The Education and Learning Manager will develop and monitor annual and strategic plans for the department; ensure program goals are met; supervise, coach, and develop staff; identify and secure grants to sustain and grow impactful education and learning programs; ensure quality data tracking to gauge impact and satisfy reporting requirements; manage program budgets; and conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation to promote compliance and improve quality through oversight of team members, activities, and documentation. The successful candidate must be able to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with in a matrixed organizational structure to lead a team that is in offering high-quality programs that are responsive to client strengths and needs. They must demonstrate sound judgment, flexibility, a commitment to empowering staff and clients, and comfort making decisions in a fluid environment. This position reports to the Deputy Director, Programs.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Design, Development and Management

- Support the Education and Learning team in delivering high-quality, timely, and proactive services using strengths-based coaching that empowers clients to move toward their goals. - Disseminate information from IRC HQ, the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP), and other donors; provide guidance and training to ensure team members fully integrate new information, requirements, and policies. - Develop processes and systems that facilitate coordination with counterparts in Resettlement and Integration, Health and Wellness, Economic Empowerment, and Legal Services. - Provide consultation to the team on client grievances and cases that require escalation to meet heightened needs, including engaging directly with clients and community partners as needed.

- In coordination with the Senior Finance and Budget Manager and the Deputy Director for Programs, develop program budgets and monitor budget versus actual reports. - Together with the Deputy Director, IRC in Denver’s development and finance teams, and IRC HQ where applicable, prepare grant proposals and complete narrative and fiscal reports for donors.

Supervision and Coaching

- Recruit, hire, train, supervise, and evaluate team members; currently, this includes two direct service coordinators who collectively manage a team of nine direct service staff. - Provide leadership for the Education and Learning team in accordance with IRC’s People Manager Standards, convening regular one on one meetings with direct reports; effectively delegating duties and responsibilities; providing consistent communication and ongoing feedback; mentoring and coaching staff; and supporting their professional development.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Program Quality

- Create and implement quality assurance systems, processes, and protocols to promote consistent and complete documentation of all Education and Learning services, financial assistance, and other required data in both client case files and relevant systems. - Design a department-wide evaluation framework to gauge impact, assess strengths, and identify opportunities for growth and improvement in each program area. - Participate in efforts to better measure client satisfaction, capture and learn from client feedback, and to engage clients in program design, delivery, and quality improvement. - Engage the Education and Learning team in regular data analysis to review outcomes. - Ensure compliance with the service delivery standards and grant terms and conditions outlined by IRC, CRSP, Office of Refugee Resettlement, Department of State, and other donors. - Work collaboratively within Education and Learning and across other teams to fully integrate a 2Gen approach and advance gender, equity, diversity, and inclusion (GEDI) commitments.

Community Partnerships and Capacity Building

- Act as the key point of contact for external partners and service providers. - Conduct outreach activities related to education and learning, engaging with local communities, education providers, schools, relevant partner organizations, and other key stakeholders. - Routinely attend and report on relevant coordination meetings with CRSP and IRC HQ to consult with key stakeholders on resettlement trends, integration efforts, and other issues.

Other

- Promote and model collaboration and the concept of “One IRC” in interactions with colleagues. - Participate in strategic planning and make recommendations to shape priorities and programs. - Serve on the IRC in Denver’s Senior Management Team (SMT). - Engage as a member of the direct services management team, working colleague managers and their teams to foster positive working relationships, streamline services, ensure service quality, consult on client needs, integrate client feedback, and design and implement new programming. - Adhere to professional and ethical standards, including the IRC Way and HIPAA. - Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education

- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent years in work and/or lived experience required. Advanced degree in education, child psychology, social work, or a relevant field preferred.

Work Experience

- At least 5 years of relevant work experience in education and/or youth development required. - Experience working with English Language Learners is essential. - A minimum of 2 years managing complex teams and programs, including supervising staff providing direct services, preferably using a coaching approach. - Experience developing and managing programming in refugee resettlement and working with displaced people, survivors of trauma or torture, and similar populations strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies

- Well-developed understanding of education and learning programs and strategies that contribute to self-efficacy and integration for individual newcomers and entire newcomer families as a whole. - Knowledge of motivational interviewing and coaching techniques in a human services context. - Familiarity with local education resources, community partners, and school systems is a plus. - Commitment to working collaboratively with staff to promote a positive culture that reflects IRC’s core values of service, accountability, integrity, and equality. - Ability to lead in a way that recognizes that IRC’s work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives. - Demonstrated ability to navigate complex problems and engage different stakeholders in solutions. - Strong capacity to navigate differences and work as a team member in a cross-cultural environment. - Excellent communication skills, including strong presentation and technical writing. Self-starter with excellent problem-solving able contribute independently and as a team member. - Adept in identifying and leveraging resources to enhance processes and outcomes. - Flexible, adaptable, and able to effectively manage time and competing priorities under pressure. - Working knowledge of federal and state education and workforce grants highly desired. - Experience with grant writing, grant management, program design, and/or monitoring and evaluation a plus. - Demonstrated ability to develop and cultivate partnerships to further program development goals. - Fluency in written and spoken English; fluency in language(s) of current refugee populations preferred (Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Kiswahili, Pashto, Spanish, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, etc.). - Computer proficiency, including MS Office, internet applications and case management databases. - Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance, a reliable vehicle, and ability to travel in and around the local community frequently.

Working Environment:

- A combination of standard office environment and time in community-based locations to perform the above responsibilities in the service area, with the potential for some remote work. - Occasional domestic (non-local) travel; up to 10%. - Occasional weekend and/or evening work required. - Staff are required to adhere to IRC's COVID risk mitigation policies.

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 new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage candidates who 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 $65,000-$75,000 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.

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Qualifications