Technical Advisor, Workforce Development

Job Overview:

The Technical Advisor, Workforce Development supports IRC’s Economic Empowerment (EE) programs in nearly 30 US cities and, intermittently in Europe and on other international projects. The Technical Advisor, Workforce Development, is responsible for providing subject matter expertise (workforce development) to a diverse continuum of internal and external stakeholders including program staff and practitioners. This position provides guidance on program development and implementation, supports evaluation and continuous improvement of workforce development programs, provides project management of key grant-funded initiatives, plays a key role in resource development activities in support of programming, contributes to thought leadership in this sector, and supports quality and excellence in programming.

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Support

• With a high degree of independence, ensure economic empowerment programs are technically sound and of the highest quality; strong focus on workforce development and adult education programs especially those that utilize public, federal funds
• Directly provide on-site technical support and assistance in the design, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of workforce development programs
• Directly provide, develop, and adapt tools, policy and curriculum to support quality and consistent program delivery, in particular in the area of employment, career development and workforce development
• Establish best practices and develop resources to support replication of successful workforce development and adult education programs
• Coordinate delivery of technical training within the IRC workforce development team and with external partners
• Contribute significantly to internal and external working group(s) on workforce development and related program areas
• Monitor and report to the Senior Director, Economic Empowerment on the successes and challenges of programming in this sector
• Stay abreast of trends in the sector including public systems at the municipal, state, and federal level, evidence-based models, industry partnerships, and other key topics
• Provide project management and leadership to specific, grant-funded initiatives as assigned

Strategy, policy & institutional capacity building

• Drive strategic engagement with workforce development programs, especially those that use federal funds such as Department of Labor (WIOA) and USDA (SNAP E&T)

Business Development and Representation

• Provide guidance and support to internal and external partners to effectively access and implement projects with new funding sources, especially federally-funded workforce development programs
• In collaboration with technical unit colleagues, support growth and sustainability of financial and technical resources that support the achievement of economic wellbeing outcomes, especially workforce development
• Play a central role in the development of concept notes and proposals for workforce development programs

Assessment & Evaluation

• Take a proactive approach to learning and ensuring that intervention methodologies are evidence-based
• In coordination with unit’s data team, support tracking, compilation and analysis of key indicators and outcomes for programming in this sector
• In collaboration with colleagues, adapt and develop evidence-based tools for measurement and assessments of programming in this sector

Key Working Relationships:

Position reports to: Senior Director, Economic Empowerment (Workforce Development)

The TA maintains close working relationships with program managers and leaders in the field, and technical staff in the field offices, staff in the Program Excellence unit, Research, Analysis and Learning unit, Resource Acquisition and Institutional Partnerships & Philanthropy teams.

Job Requirements:

• Masters/post-graduate degree in a related field strongly preferred
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience with progressive responsibility in implementation of workforce development or related programming required
• Demonstrated experience implementing publicly funded workforce development programs including WIOA, SNAP E&T, Welfare-to-Work, required; strong preference for significant expertise in SNAP E&T specifically
• Demonstrated experience with project management, including experience with work planning, budget management, and coordination with multiple partners required
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to organizations, government partners, and other key stakeholders strong preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action
• Demonstrated experience building career pathway programs that include public and private sector partners such as workforce development boards, community colleges, industry, and labor
• Experience with high-barrier populations required, experience with immigrant and English language learner populations a plus
• Demonstrated success in securing public and private funding, in particular related to workforce development
• Strong track record of external and public relations with partners and donors
• Excellent communication, teambuilding and interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Ability to think strategically and creatively.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time and meet deadlines, and proven ability to work under pressure

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.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

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.