NDMV AmeriCorps Community Engagement Associate

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is at work in over 50 countries and 28 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. The IRC’s locally-funded office in Atlanta opened in 1979 and creates opportunities for refugees and immigrants to integrate and thrive in Georgia communities. The Atlanta office resettles over 1,000 refugees each year and serves an additional 3,000+ refugees, immigrants and asylees in the state of Georgia with a diverse offering of programs that ensure families are empowered to rebuild their lives in communities throughout the state. Since our opening in 1979, the IRC in Atlanta has welcomed more than 30,000 refugees from 65 different countries to rebuild their lives in Georgia communities.

SCOPE OF REFUGEE RESOURCE ASSOCIATE WORK: This position is located within the Resource Development Department, whose purpose is to establish strong, mutually-beneficial relationships between the community and the IRC in Atlanta to garner monetary, in-kind and volunteer resources for refugee and immigrant clients. The Community Engagement Associate will work closely with the Development Supervisor and Volunteer Coordinator towards these goals in order to enhance the IRC in Atlanta’s ability to meet refugee and immigrant client needs by supporting in the recruitment of community support, planning community engagement events including the World Refugee Day open house and Dinner Together Gala, representing the IRC in Atlanta at university and corporate recruitment fairs, and connecting clients to donated clothing, household items, food, and other in-kind support.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is a Notre Dame Mission Volunteer (NDMV) AmeriCorps position. AmeriCorps oversight will be conducted through NDMV of Atlanta, and the IRC will serve as a site placement. For more information about NDMV, please visit www.ndmva.org. The candidate will need to complete the AmeriCorps application process through the NDMV site liaison in addition to the IRC’s interview and selection process.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research and pursue in-kind donation opportunities based on the needs of clients and staff
• Support in the collection and distribution of in-kind goods (clothing, household items, food, etc.) to refugee clients via targeted donation drives (e.g. Back to School Supply Drive, Thanksgiving Food Drive, etc.)
• Research, identify, and assist with coordinating targeted donation drives and other special volunteer and in-kind giving events with community, corporate, university and civic groups
• Support in the screening, orientation, and training and matching of volunteers with appropriate service opportunities, in accordance with IRC national volunteer guidelines
• Engage area community, civic, and corporate groups through outreach, awareness and education by representing the IRC at events (virtual and in-person)
• Support the implementation of activities and initiatives to involve in-kind donors in other aspects of the IRC in Atlanta programs, including volunteering and IRC sponsored events
• Support in the maintenance of accurate, up-to-date electronic and paper records on all in-kind contributions, donor contact information, and volunteer information in all relevant data systems (e.g. Integra and Salesforce) and client and administrative files
• Support IRC-led event planning activities
• Respond to inquiries, phone calls and e-mails in a timely and professional manner
• Support the planning of logistics related to procurement of extra donations to other agencies as needed
• Assist with general Resource Development activities as needed, including administrative duties and tasks
• Assist with donor cultivation activities, including creating and distributing tax-exempt gift acknowledgement letters for donors in a timely manner
• Attend and actively participate in staff meetings and special staff development programs
• Other support duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• An interest in international and refugee issues
• Effective communication and writing skills
• Superior attention to detail
• Excellent organizational skills
• Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects
• A strong desire to help people and enthusiasm to work in a multi-cultural setting
• Ability to maintain donor and client relationships through attentive customer service
• Prior experience in a non-profit setting is a plus
• Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast-paced environment
• Must be confident with public speaking
• A valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle is preferred
• Must be able to comfortably lift boxes of donated clothing and household items up to 50 lbs. unaided

• Demonstrated proficiency in using Canva, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and other applications as well as experience using and entering data into electronic databases is beneficial

The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.