Youth Partnership and Academy Specialist At International Rescue Committee

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic well-being, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is at work in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. Since 1999, the IRC has developed partnerships with New York City public schools, community-based organizations and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New York City. The Youth Education Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools.

​Job Overview/Summary:

The Youth Partnership and Academy Specialist ensures compliance with the Refugee School Impact Program (RSIP), both with internal IRC programming and with sub-contracted agencies. The purpose of the Refugee School Impact Program (RSIP) is to promote the academic performance and successful integration of refugee youth and other eligible youth, particularly those who have recently arrived to New York State into the education system. Awardees will empower families to be effective partners in the education of their children.

​The Youth Partnership and Academy Specialist will also closely collaborate with IRC colleagues and partner agencies to provide two-week summer academies and 2-3 day mini-academies during school breaks during the school year. They will serve as support staff on-site and provide leadership and guidance to program staff.

​Major Responsibilities:

​General

• Support the monitoring and evaluation plan to ensure program records are complying and meet grant targets, including regular file review and program observation.
• Coordinate technical assistance and training to be provided by IRC staff to the sub-contractor
• Review submissions on the New York State Bureau of Refugee and Immigration Affairs (BRIA) Information Network (BIN) to ensure accuracy and compliance with the contract.
• Collaborate with fellow resettlement agencies to share opportunities for newly-arrived youth to participate in RSIP programming at IRC or subcontractors

​With sub-contractors

• Escalate areas of concern as appropriate
• Support site visits and compliance checks for sub-contractors
• In collaboration with other IRC staff, review proposals from new sub-contractors
• Provide onboarding orientation and training to new sub-contractors

​Academies

• Support logistics planning and implementation for meals, field trips and liaising with building staff
• Plan and lead whole-group mindfulness lessons
• Lead weekly family-communication plan for all students
• Collaborate with IRC Staff and the Academic Lead Teacher in the implementing curriculum.
• Finalize observational assessments for each student
• Collaborate with Academic Lead Teacher(s) in planning, coordinating classroom activities, and reviewing student progress
• Lead classroom climate and culture in accordance with academy philosophy and protocols
• Manage dismissal protocols
• Supervise students in the cafeteria during breakfast and lunch
• Complete weekly progress reports on time.

​Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, psychology, or a related field required
• Minimum of one year experience with youth required, preferably with English language learners
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations from a variety of cultural and linguistic groups is highly desired
• Experience working with the New York City Public School system is desirable
• Demonstrated ability to promote an organizational culture that reflects IRC’s core values of service, accountability, integrity, and equality. Ability to lead in a way that recognizes IRC’s work is best accomplished through the true collaboration of individuals from many cultures with a great variety of skills and perspectives.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Fluent in MS Office applications, especially MS Excel
• Fluency in English required; fluency in a second language highly desired (Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, French)

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​*Working Environment:***Standard office work environment. The coordinator is expected to be in-person Monday-Friday during mini-NYSA and NYSA, which we plan to take place in-person in a centrally located public school in New York City. May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

​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 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.