United States: ReConnect Youth Mentor Specialist

Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to forcibly displaced people due to war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 29 regional offices in cities across the United States, the IRC helps refugees resettle and become self-sufficient. The IRC-Wichita office has been providing services to newly arrived refugees since 2011. The IRC-Wichita office serves refugees and immigrants by providing resettlement and placement, family strengthening services through trauma informed care, economic empowerment, youth and adult education and immigration services provided by a Department of Justice accredited legal representative. The IRC helps those in need to rebuild their lives and regain control of their future in their new home.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The ReConnect Youth Mentoring Specialist will play a key role in designing, implementing, and growing the IRC’s mentorship program for youth aged 15-24. Under the direction of the Education Manager, the ReConnect Youth Mentoring Specialist will develop and conduct outreach activities to engage mentors in the program, will develop the onboarding and training for mentors, will participate in the screening and selection of mentors, and will engage with and recruit youth between ages 15-24 to participate in the design of the program so that it meets their needs. The Specialist will ensure that high-quality mentorship activities are taking place, that program outcomes are being measured, and will oversee the implementation of supplemental activities for youth such as resume workshops, financial literacy trainings, college visits, and other activities. This position will actively engage with clients, external stakeholders such as educational or workforce development institutions, and other IRC departments in Wichita. This is a full-time, non-exempt position.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design and implement an outreach, engagement, training, and retention strategy for high-quality mentors that can do goal planning and barrier removal for newcomer youth ages 15-24.
• Collaborate with colleagues to receive referrals for eligible youth into the mentorship program, engage and enroll them in the program, ensuring the design meets their needs and is driven by their voice and feedback.
• Design and implement supplemental academic, recreational, and enrichment activities for participating youth, based on their preferences and goals.
• Collaborate with the Education Manager to design and implement a monitoring and evaluation framework to evaluate program effectiveness from the perspective of the participants in the program and find opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Build stakeholder relationships that enrich the opportunities and connections that the program can offer youth participants to achieve their educational and career aspirations.
• Collect data on program outcomes and participant satisfaction, and maintain accurate records on implementation and participation, actively participate in the continuous improvement of the program, including but not limited to preparing and coordinating quarterly program reports, semi-annual program reports, and monthly program reports.
• Actively engage with the IRC’s technical unit for youth and education to strengthen program design and learn from other offices. Collaborate with the RSI team to respond to participant needs.
• Create and establish a process to recruit mentors volunteers in coordination with the Volunteer Coordinator including training, retention, continuing education, and mentors support recognition initiatives.
• Ensure that all data is accurately captured in the IRC databases.
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in Education or related field.
• One year of experience in education programs for children and youth, including previous experience supervising volunteers.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically in a multi-cultural setting and with limited-English proficiency speakers.
• Strategic, creative, analytical person, capable of working well independently and as a part of a team.
• Fluency in English required. International work or study experience and second language abilities a plus; particularly in Spanish, French, Pashto, Dari, Arabic, Swahili, or other client language.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint), internet research, and experience using databases and information gathering systems.
• Able to occasionally work a flexible schedule that includes evenings and weekends.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable access to an insured vehicle.

Working Environment:

• Combination of working in a standard office environment and work in the community including meetings with community partners.
• Occasional weekend and/or evening work required.

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.

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.

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.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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.

How to Apply: 

Please apply on IRCs website: https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/46291?c=rescue