Youth Instructional Design Specialist

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Position Title: Youth Instructional Design Specialist
Location: Elizabeth, NJ, Hybrid
Country: United States of America
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian organization founded in 1933, dedicated to helping people affected by conflict and disaster. The IRC operates in over 40 countries and has a workforce of more than 14,000 employees. The organization focuses on providing relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict development, with a mission to restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their background, have access to opportunities and support.

Job Overview:
The Youth Instructional Design Specialist is a pivotal role within the IRC, responsible for leading the development of educational curricula and supporting program design aimed at enhancing the educational success of youth and adults. This position requires a strong focus on training staff and volunteers in effective strategies for engaging with youth who have limited English proficiency. The specialist will utilize existing knowledge, research, and IRC-provided tools to create academic programming tailored for the youth served by the IRC. This role also involves mentoring and advising IRC staff to ensure high-quality instructional strategies and effective communication across various projects. The specialist will play a crucial role in the implementation of ESL and Social Emotional Asset Development (SEAD) curricula, ensuring that educational programs are not only effective but also innovative and responsive to the needs of the clients.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure project outcomes and reporting meet external standards set by funders, including compliance with contractual obligations, timely achievement of deliverables, and adherence to internal IRC standards of professional project management.
• Guide project staff in implementing youth projects effectively and innovatively, fostering a passion for promoting client self-sufficiency.
• Lead the development and refinement of the Social Emotional Asset Development curriculum in collaboration with program staff and IRC Technical Advisors.
• Oversee the development of youth program and intergenerational curricula.
• Train and mentor youth program staff in classroom management and curriculum implementation.
• Evaluate program efficiency and effectiveness, adapting curriculum or design as necessary.
• Collaborate with other IRC departments to ensure clients receive comprehensive services to achieve their goals.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, contributing to major projects such as the Newcomer Youth Summer Academy, Youth Mentoring Activities, and the Empower Tutoring Program.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required; preferably in a related field.
• Master’s degree in a related field such as Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or TESOL/ESL preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of related experience required, with 5+ years of teaching experience and a background in ESL/TESOL.
• Relevant professional experience in curriculum design and/or educational program development is essential.
• Experience working with English Language Learners, refugee, and/or immigrant populations is required.
• Previous multicultural experience and a strong track record of effective communication with diverse groups are strongly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to make presentations, are required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess at least a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a field related to education or instructional design. A Master’s degree in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, or TESOL/ESL is preferred, indicating a higher level of expertise and understanding of educational methodologies and practices.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of related experience, with a strong preference for candidates who have 5 or more years of teaching experience, particularly in ESL/TESOL contexts. Relevant professional experience in curriculum design and educational program development is essential, along with experience working with English Language Learners and immigrant populations. A consistent track record of effective communication and collaboration in multicultural settings is also highly valued.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both spoken and written, is mandatory. Proficiency in additional languages spoken by IRC clients, such as Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, and Kiswahili, is highly desirable and considered an asset for this position.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in a standard office environment, with potential for occasional travel to off-site locations and may require weekend and/or evening work. Compensation is competitive and based on various factors, including labor market conditions, job type, and individual candidate experience. The IRC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion, and provides a comprehensive benefits package for US employees, including paid time off, retirement savings plans, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program.