Senior Program Officer, Preferred Communities

Job Overview: The headquarters Resettlement Team oversees the implementation and quality of services for refugees within their early resettlement period. The team supports IRC local office staff in implementing high quality programs by providing technical assistance, training and monitoring. The Preferred Communities (PC) Program, funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) offers tailored case management to the most vulnerable refugees. The Senior Program Officer for Preferred Communities (SPO) oversees the quality of programming including training, monitoring and reporting throughout the IRC US offices where the program is implemented. Directing the work of two or more headquarters Preferred Communities staff, the SPO supports Preferred Communities implementation in local offices to achieve compliance and programmatic objectives through communication, technical assistance, training, and monitoring support while meeting ORR requirements. The SPO fosters the development of long-term bilateral relationships with ORR, other resettlement agencies, IRC’s headquarters budget and finance teams, the Reception and Placement, Matching Grant, and Community and Client Engagement Teams, and other relevant stakeholders. The SPO reports to the Director for Preferred Communities within the Resettlement, Asylum and Integration Department in the US.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead the overall management and implementation of the Preferred Communities program: providing strategic direction in setting goals and metrics, designing new initiatives and in collaboration with the Director for Preferred Communities, leading the preparation of grant proposal to the donor as well as donor reports.
• Supervise and mentor two or more Preferred Communities Program Officers (POs) to ensure that their skills and efforts respond to the needs of local IRC PC programs and ORR’s requirements. This includes oversight of the POs’ communication with local sites, case transfers, exception requests and case consultations.
• In collaboration with the Director, the HQ Budget team, Regional Directors and Executive Directors, develop local office budgets and enrollment targets. Participate in review of office spending and follow up.
• Liaise with the Resource, Acquisition and Management Unit to develop and procure resources for the PC Program as needed.
• Lead and inform the development of PC training and technical assistance plan to ensure local offices have the tools they need to implement PC Programs.
• Analyze programmatic and operational outcomes for grant program; present trends to headquarters and local implementors to assist them in improving outcomes.
• Lead monitoring of local offices for compliance with program guidelines; prepare offices to be monitored by the donor.
• Train headquarters PC Program Officers in monitoring protocols.
• Lead the development of compliance guidance (Program Announcements, reference manuals) for grant program based on review of program guidelines, analysis of monitoring results, and other changes in coordination with the Deputy Director and senior PC staff.
• Liaise with HQ PC staff, partners and local sites to ensure clients are being adequately supported. Create systems and processes in collaboration with other teams, including the Research Analysis and Learning (RAL) team, Virtual Resettlement Line (VRL), Virtual Reception and Placement (VR&P), and the Virtual Supplemental Case Management (VSCM) program.
• Remain knowledgeable of changes in USRAP trends and ORR eligibility.
• Play a leadership role in key projects, as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in Social Work, International Affairs, or related field highly desirable.

Work Experience:

• Minimum five years progressive non-profit experience, preferably with experiences in the Preferred Communities Intensive Case Management Program.
• Previous experience leading program design, budget and implementation, monitoring program compliance and providing technical assistance required.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of US Refugee Resettlement Programs;
• Financial discernment and experience with budget development, tracking and resource acquisition.
• Demonstrated command of databases, MS Excel and evidence-based decision making.

Preferred experience & skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time.
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Ability to manage others and work through change in a proactive and positive manner.

Working Environment***:***

• Standard office working environment.
• Up to 30% of domestic travel as needed.
• This role may require working remotely full or part time and part time remote employees may be required to share workspace.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

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: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.