Economic Empowerment Manager

at  International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
IRC Background: The IRC in Northern California was established in 1975 in response to the needs of the growing refugee population. Over the past 40 years the IRC has resettled nearly 60,000 clients in Northern California. Originally focused on reception and placement, the IRC provides a range of services, including economic empowerment, immigration, community gardening, case management for victims of trafficking, and mental health.
Economic Empowerment programs are a central component of successful refugee resettlement. IRC’s economic empowerment staff, through a range of economic empowerment services, support resettled refugees achieve self-sufficiency and economic independence. The IRC in Turlock’s Economic Empowerment programs include the Stanislaus County Employment Program, the Matching Grant Early Employment Program and Financial Inclusion and Opportunity services. Economic Empowerment programs in Turlock provide comprehensive economic empowerment training, counseling, and support to refugees and other populations, including asylees, SIVs, and victims of trafficking, to ensure their financial success in the Central Valley.
Job Summary: The Economic Empowerment (EE) Manager will provide leadership to the Turlock Economic Empowerment programs, including the Stanislaus County Employment and Matching Grant Early Employment programs, as well as Financial Inclusion and Opportunity services. The EE Manager will be responsible for overseeing the performance of economic empowerment staff, overseeing the implementation of services, and supporting the development and integration of economic empowerment programs at IRC Turlock. The EE Manager Position is responsible for program compliance through the oversight of the daily operations of economic empowerment services and ensuring program goals and outcomes are satisfied. The EE Manager will oversee and manage direct assistance expenditures for the Matching Grant Program. Responsibilities also include community engagement and outreach to area employers and funders with the aim of identifying and developing long-term partnerships that support the efforts of direct service staff. This position will maintain programming quality assurance and excellence in staff performance, leading to high levels of economic self-sufficiency in IRC Turlock’s resettled refugee population. This position is based in the Turlock office and reports to the Site Director.

Program Management

• Manage the Turlock Matching Grant, Stanislaus County Employment and indirect management of financial inclusion and opportunity programs such as, financial literacy and coaching.
• Develop and implement intensive job-readiness classes that prepare students for the workplace and working culture of the United States, enhancing their employability.
• Work collaboratively with other agency staff to ensure that Matching Grant and County Employment programming is integrated into the continuum of IRC services.
• Oversight and accountability of program outcomes, compliance, and delivery of services, including intake and assessments, pre-employment job readiness classes, financial education, vocational ESL, and career development programming in accordance with donor and grant requirements; this includes participant enrollment, job placement, and self-sufficiency outcomes.
• Managing the budget of program activities, including the oversight of client direct assistance spending plans, monitoring expenses and anticipating under/overspending.
• Responsible for the regular compiling and delivery of program reports to senior program staff, including the submission of all MG 120- and 180-day MG reports.
• Ensure compliance with case file management and reporting requirements including oversight of case file maintenance, conducting regular case file reviews, data and database management for the provision of services under all Economic Empowerment Programs

Staff Supervision and Development

• Indirect and direct supervision of Economic Empowerment staff members, interns and volunteers. Including recruitment, hiring and staff training and development.
• Ensure that job expectations and performance objectives are clear for all direct reports and follow up on annual performance review and goal planning process.

Program Design and Development

• Develop and provide recommendations for further program integration as related to bundled economic empowerment services at IRC Turlock.
• Ensure that the program is compliant with funder and agency requirements in terms of documentation, case files, data tracking, and other areas of administrative compliance; produce high-quality program reports in a timely manner.
• Support program sustainability through program development and grant writing.
• Develop and cultivate long-term relationships with area stakeholders, such as local businesses, to identify and expand appropriate employment partnerships and ensure job placement outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Site Director and Community Engagement Manager to oversee the leveraging of donations of financial, human and in-kind resources in support of the program’s match component.
• Work with Site Director and development team to design new programming and draft proposals in response to Economic Empowerment related opportunities.
• Other related duties as assigned.
• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC office
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies