Financial Coach

BACKGROUND

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Domestically, our 25 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency. Through its Dallas office, the IRC helps to resettle over 500 refugees every year. The Economic Empowerment programs of Early Employment, Career Pathways, and Financial Capabilities make up the Dallas IRC’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) and work together to help clients attain and maintain gainful employment, gain and hone financial literacy skills, and provide access to asset-building opportunities to help clients lift themselves out of poverty and achieve their goals.

SCOPE OF WORK

The Financial Coach is a crucial part of the Economic Empowerment team structure. The Financial Coach will have three primary areas of focus:

• Coordinating and teaching financial literacy classes to newly arrived refugee clients and city of Dallas residents;
• Providing financial coaching and counseling services to clients on a one-on-one basis; and
• Assisting clients in applying for loans through the Center for Economic Opportunity, the IRC’s subsidiary Community Development Financial Institution

The Financial Coach will work closely with the Employment and Career Development teams to ensure client services are provided in an integrated, effective, and consistent manner.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the implementation of group Financial Literacy classes, including:

• Organize and adjust the curriculum as necessary;

• Coordinate logistics such as transportation, interpretation, and volunteer support;

• Teach classes utilizing adult learning principles appropriate for a multicultural audience;

• Accurately track participant attendance, data, and follow-up services

• Conduct one-on-one financial coaching and counseling with clients, including:

  • Work with clients to complete a detailed Combined Financial Assessment (CFA), create a budget, and provide strategies for budget improvements;
  • Assess the clients’ financial history and provide strategies for credit building and increasing net assets;
  • Assist clients in resolving current financial challenges, while providing a wide lens on their financial health to shift the approach to proactive financial management;
  • Develop plans of action and provide tools and resources while promoting client accountability to help clients meet their goals;
  • Make appropriate referrals to external personal finance professionals, as appropriate
  • Use Efforts to Outcome (ETO), a data management system, to document and reflect the outcome of clients’ progress in an accurate and timely manner;
  • Contribute to quarterly funder reports with program outcomes data and client stories;
  • Conduct community-facing workshops as a means of outreach and education. Topics may include budgeting, savings, banking, financial products, credit building, identity theft, and more; and
  • Maintain and develop new relationships with local financial institutions and community organizations as a means of increasing outreach efforts and funding opportunities.
  • Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited institution is strongly preferred.
• 2+ years’ experience in client counseling, case management, or coaching is required. Professional experience in a financial counseling setting is strongly preferred.
• A demonstrated understanding of personal finances, particularly in the areas of budgeting, asset building, and credit building is required.
• Previous work experience with the IRC’s target refugee and immigrant population and/or with populations affected by trauma is strongly preferred.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral are required.
• Demonstrated ability to report data/outcomes tracking in a database is required.
• Ability to provide financial counseling/coaching services in a culturally sensitive manner is required.
• Fluency in English, written and spoken. Bilingual language skills in target population’s most frequently used languages preferred.
• Valid driver’s license, access to reliable vehicle with current insurance, and the ability to travel daily throughout the service delivery area (home visits, agency visits, service provider visits etc).

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Economic Empowerment Program Manager

Other Internal and/or external contacts: Works closely with other Economic Empowerment staff, interns and/or volunteers, and interacts with refugee clients and other partners in the community

Working Environment:**

Professional office environment. Work may be conducive to a flex schedule, if needing to be available evenings to support clients. Schedule to be arranged through Supervisor, but not to go over 40 hours per week unless pre-authorized.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

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: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.