New Roots Program Manager

Job Description

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has 25 offices in the United States and a presence in over 40 countries. The IRC in Sacramento helps newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals through a continuum of case management, economic development, youth services, immigration, and food security and community health programs. The Education and Youth department assists youth aged 14-24 to achieve success both in-school and out of school.

The IRC’s New Roots program is designed to assist refugees to reestablish their ties to the land celebrate their heritage and nourish themselves and their neighbors by planting strong roots in their new communities. Through community gardening, nutrition education and small-business farming, New Roots provides refugee farmers with the tools and training they need to grow healthy and affordable food and become self-sufficient. Across a network stretching from New York to Oakland, California refugees are revitalizing urban spaces, sharing their farming know-how with their new neighbors and providing healthy, fresh food to their families and communities.

Job Overview:

The New Roots Program Manager is responsible for the overall management, growth and execution of the New Roots program in Sacramento. They will oversee and manage all aspects of the program comprised of four key components: food secure resettlement, community gardening, urban farming, and agro micro-enterprise development; will be responsible for oversight of New Roots grants, including budget management, reporting and compliance outcomes, in addition to grant writing and securing ongoing program funding; and will work with staff, a team of volunteers and a network of community based organizations to ensure success of this program. The position is also responsible for new program development and the integration of New Roots programming within the Sacramento office, in addition to serving as a core member of the Sacramento leadership team.

Major Responsibilities:

- Manage all aspects of the New Roots grants, including successfully meeting programmatic goals, overseeing finances and budgets, supervising program staff, and monitoring program outcomes. - Oversee the New Roots farm site, including overall farm management, soil amendment, irrigation, planting/harvesting, refugee farmers, and crop sales. - Recruit, train and supervise New Roots program staff, consultants, interns and volunteers; Create job descriptions, staff development plans, and complete regular performance evaluations.

- Responsible for completing accurate and timely reports for New Roots grants, contracts and activities. - Coordinate farm sales including post-harvest handling and food delivery to restaurants, local markets, and farm stands; Serve as a liaison between the refugee farmers and purchasers. - Manage and grow relationships with community-based organizations, government agencies and private partners to develop and support a range of urban farming and food security health programming and identify innovative partnerships and opportunities. - Conduct outreach to refugee and immigrant community members interested in participating in the New Roots program; actively engage clients in New Roots programming. - Identify new sources of public and private funding for urban farming and food-based programming; actively pursue in kind farm donations. - Write and prepare grant proposals in collaboration with Resettlement Director. - Coordinate with resettlement team to ensure food secure resettlement programming; oversee nutrition education curriculum and delivery; monitor client understanding of curriculum through the development of surveys and other monitoring and evaluation tools. - Coordinate community and public events, educational opportunities, volunteer support, community engagement activities, workdays and other events which support and promote New Roots; - Other related duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Site Director

Position directly supervises: New Roots Farm Coordinator, Market and Garden Specialist, Outreach Specialist interns and volunteers

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Sacramento Program staff, Volunteer Coordination, Development Team

External: Market and Restaurant owners, Parks and Recreation,

Job Requirements:

- Recruit, train Minimum three years of experience working with urban farming, food security/policy and/or community health programming - Undergraduate degree in a field related to Agriculture, Business, Horticulture or Environmental Science, Nutritional Sciences or related fields required; Master’s degree preferred

- Experience in grants management and a proven track record in grant-writing/fundraising required (federal grants oversight preferred) - Must possess strong English communication skills (written and oral). Second language ability preferred;

- Demonstrated success in designing, implementing and monitoring multifaceted programs; - Experience working with diverse, low-income, or immigrant communities preferred; - Valid driver’s license, active insurance, and ability to drive IRC box truck and vans.

Work Environment:

- Position requires a mix of general office work and farm/garden field activities. Requires the ability to engage in farm and garden activities, as well as to drive the IRC vehicles.

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.

Qualifications