Senior Youth Education Program Coordinator

Job Description

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.

JOB OVERVIEW As an integral part of the IRC in Denver’s Safety and Wellness team and working in close coordination with the Resettlement and Integration team, the Senior Youth Education Program Coordinator is responsible for directing a coordinated suite of programs to provide year-round support to children, youth, and their families, with an emphasis on academics and social-emotional learning (SEL) for children ages 5-13 and youth ages 14-21. 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.

The Senior Youth Education Program Coordinator develops and monitors departmental annual and strategic plans in consultation with the broader Safety and Wellness team as well as colleagues from the Resettlement and Integration team. This staff member ensures program goals are met; supervises and supports Youth Program staff; leads the development of grants supporting the youth program; and ensures reporting, compliance and budgeting requirements are satisfied through oversight of team members and activities. The Senior Youth Education Program Coordinator oversees the design, planning and implementation of programming delivered by Youth Program 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 Safety and Stabilization Supervisor for the IRC in Denver office.

The Youth 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 children, youth and families set and move toward goals. The Senior Youth Education Program Coordinator ensures consistency with these beliefs, and also 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.

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. - Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders including schools, school districts, funders, community organizations, and other youth service agencies to expand refugee youth and families’ access to appropriate services and support. - Collaborate across IRC in Denver programs to ensure services to youth meet quality standards and guidelines; review and approve plans, guide approaches, and oversee implementation of youth-facing programming. - Proactively identify and address barriers to school access and related supports. - Make program-wide decisions based on feedback of 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 Youth 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 families to recruit children and youth 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. - Participate in meetings and trainings with the Denver Office of Children’s Affairs and others as requested. - 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 Youth 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. - Serve as a member of the IRC in Denver’s Senior Management Team. - Contribute to Youth and Education initiatives across IRC RAI network, including child safeguarding. - Perform other related duties as assigned.

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. 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 to be considered for this position.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT - At present, the IRC in Denver office is partially open. While some hybrid remote/in-person work modifications are in place due to ensure staff and client safety given public health guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, this position is not a remote position. Staff will be provided with IRC laptops and cell phones and must have access to a location with secure internet service where remote work can be performed according to the hybrid work schedule negotiated with their supervisor. - 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. - All staff are required to adhere to IRC’s COVID risk mitigation policies, which include but are not limited to masking, physical distancing, enhanced hygiene practices, symptom screening, and isolation and quarantine as needed. In some cases, these policies may be stricter than those imposed at the federal, state, or local level. - 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.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS This position is a full-time, regular, exempt position scheduled at 37.5 hours per week and ineligible for overtime, with a starting annual salary of $50,000 depending on qualifications and experience. As a regular, full-time employee, the Senior Youth Education Program Coordinator is eligible for the IRC’s phenomenal benefits package, which includes: - Generous paid time off with 20 days of paid vacation per year, 10 days of paid sick leave per year (not inclusive of paid COVID leave), and at least 9 paid holidays per year. - Outstanding medical, dental, and vision care benefits with low employee premiums. - Optional health care and dependent care flexible savings accounts and commuter benefits. - Life, accident, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance. - Comprehensive parental and family leave benefits. - A 403(b) retirement savings plan that offers employer contributions and a matching contribution program. - A comprehensive employee assistance and resilience program. - Business travel medical insurance, access to Guardian Nurses, and more.

In addition, the IRC in Denver actively promotes learning and growth for its team members, through staff development accounts that allow staff to engage in individualized goal-aligned professional development, access to a range of talent development offerings to build skills in a wide array of areas from humanitarian principles to management skills, and opportunities to lead and engage with colleagues from across the IRC through communities of practice, special assignments, and designated roles that represent the Denver office, whether here in the U.S. or globally.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 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 [email protected] to request accommodation.

Qualifications