Refugee School Impact (RSI) Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which is dedicated to helping people affected by humanitarian crises to survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. Established in 1933, IRC operates in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities, employing more than 14,000 staff members. The organization focuses on various areas including health, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment of refugees and displaced individuals. Their mission is to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

Job Overview:
The Refugee School Impact (RSI) Specialist plays a crucial role in coordinating and supporting the IRC’s refugee youth programming. This position is designed to align with the organizational goals of enhancing educational outcomes for refugee youth. The RSI Specialist will engage in building robust partnerships with local schools and community organizations, focusing on parent and family engagement as it relates to educational initiatives. The role aims to remove barriers faced by first-generation refugee youth in achieving academic success and promotes social-emotional learning and community integration. The specialist will also collaborate closely with the state office and manage subcontracts with schools that serve eligible youth populations. Reporting directly to the Education Manager, the RSI Specialist is expected to develop resources, expand partnerships, and implement innovative methodologies to support vulnerable youth effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The major responsibilities of the RSI Specialist include developing resources and expanding partnerships that promote the success of refugee students through material design and partner engagement. The specialist will nurture partnerships with schools and youth service agencies to advocate for and provide support to refugee youth. Responsibilities also include researching, implementing, and teaching innovative methodologies for working with vulnerable youth, assessing the quality of practices, and ensuring program outcomes are met. The specialist will maintain data and reports to indicate program effectiveness, serve as a community focal point for referrals to youth programs and mainstream services, and design and implement programs, activities, workshops, and services that contribute positively to the outcomes for refugee students and their families. Compliance with IRC policies, procedures, and protocols, including adherence to the IRC Way and Child Safeguarding, is mandatory. Additional duties may be assigned as needed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an undergraduate degree, preferably in education, teaching, English language acquisition, or a related field. A minimum of one year of experience working with students is required, with a preference for experience in public schools, SEI environments, or ELL settings. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook) is essential, along with proven experience in web-based data entry systems. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong attention to detail, effective time management skills, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team. Strategic and creative problem-solving skills are also necessary for this role.

Educational Background:
The position requires an undergraduate degree, with a preference for studies in education, teaching, English language acquisition, or a similar field. This educational background is essential to understand the complexities of working with refugee youth and to effectively implement educational programs that cater to their needs.

Experience:
The role requires at least one year of experience working with students, particularly in public school settings, SEI environments, or ELL experiences. This experience is crucial for understanding the challenges faced by refugee youth and for developing effective strategies to support their educational journeys.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Additionally, bilingual abilities in languages such as Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Arabic, Dari, or other refugee/immigrant languages commonly used in Kansas are preferred. This linguistic capability will enhance communication with refugee families and facilitate better support for the youth.

Additional Notes:
The compensation for this position ranges from $20.97 to $23.30 per hour, applicable to US-based candidates. The pay range is influenced by various factors, including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget considerations. The working environment combines standard office settings with fieldwork within the service delivery area, requiring occasional evening and weekend availability. The IRC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and provides reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities during the application process and throughout employment. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package, including sick days, paid time off, medical and dental insurance, a retirement savings plan, and an Employee Assistance Program.