Senior Program Manager, Youth & Education

IRC Background: The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the IRC has a presence in over 40 countries and 27 offices in the United States; the IRC leads the way from harm to home. IRC opened an office in Seattle in 1976 and provides a continuum of services including intensive case management, employment and economic empowerment services, immigration assistance, health and wellness programming, and education support to refugee and immigrant families in Washington State. IRC Washington is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview:

The Senior Program Manager for Youth and Education is responsible for overall program management of IRC’s Youth Program and Education programming and consultation, guidance, and oversight on IRC Washington’s education initiatives across all programs and departments. This will include program and curriculum development, supervision of Youth and Education Program staff, interns and volunteers, coordinating with local school districts and funders, proposal development, grant writing and management, department budget oversite and management, data collection and reporting, and consultation on education programming across IRC Washington programs. This position ensures that goals and program objectives are accomplished in collaboration with IRC staff, school district staff, refugee parents, refugee youth, community partners, and volunteers. The position will also support and guide adult education initiatives including cultural orientation and digital literacy, as well as IRC team learning opportunities. The Senior Program Manager for Youth and Education will also design and lead the implementation of new programming and seek funding to support the needs of refugee youth and families.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Implementation/Development:

• Oversee Youth & Education Program operations; manage full portfolio of Youth & Education Program funding sources; assure that quality practices are implemented, and program outcomes are met.
• Provide leadership and support to Program Coordinators in the program design process and development or identification of curriculum that broadens the access of refugee youth and families to education, development, support, and opportunities.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders including schools, school districts, funders, community organizations, and other youth service agencies to expand refugee youth and families’ access to appropriate services and support.
• Coordinate closely with the Resettlement department to ensure effective school enrollment processes, provide technical support and guidance, and ensure families receive School & Education orientations.
• Coordinate with IRC staff, school districts, and school staff and refugee parents to ensure that students in high-risk situations (bullying, harassment, truancy, disciplinary cases, etc.) are connected to the appropriate services and supports.
• Represent IRC Youth & Education Programs in the local community and develop and maintain strategic partnerships with other voluntary agencies, state, and local partners.
• Make program-wide decisions based on feedback of stakeholders, particularly program participants.
• Collaborate across IRC Washington programs to ensure services to youth and families meet quality standards and guidelines; review and approve plans, approach, and implementation of any youth facing programming.
• Provide leadership, consultation, training, and oversight to IRC Washington programs on education-based programming such as Cultural Orientation, Digital Literacy, and Job Training.
• Oversee coordination of field trips, events, and programs for Youth Program participants.
• Provide targeted staff trainings (professional development) at local school districts and community service providers aimed at improving intercultural competency, psychosocial support, and social integration support skills.
• Proactively engage in resource development and community partnerships though grant writing, external stakeholder meetings, active participation in IRC’s RAI Youth Community of Practice calls, and other opportunities to improve practice.
• Develop data collection, analysis, and reporting systems; establish monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure continuous improvement and effective programming.
• Develop and maintain strategic plans for program development and growth based on changing contexts, needs assessments, and feedback from key stakeholders including families, youth, and partners.

Grant Management/Writing/Fundraising:

• Act as budget owner for all program budgets including establishing budgets, tracking spending, managing grants for the Youth & Education Program.
• Manage Youth & Education Program funding data and reports ensuring all outcomes are fulfilled; prepare and submit program reports.
• Continuously seek new funding opportunities that align with Youth & Education Program goals through proposal development, community outreach, donor engagement, and partnership with IRC Development team.
• Engage Youth Program Coordinators in developing grant proposals to provide input on targets and outcomes, program design, monitoring and evaluation and gain skills in grant writing.
• Collaborate across programs to seek and secure funding that allows cross-program collaboration to further IRC Seattle Youth and Education strategic goals.
• Establish strong relationships with funders and donors, representing IRC’s Youth and Education programming with funders and securing funding to maintain and grow programming.

Staff Management:

• Recruit, train, supervise, and lead Youth & Education Program staff across IRC Washington and provide vision, appropriate coaching, mentoring and support; provide quality human resource management including regular check-ins, feedback, and performance evaluation of direct reports.
• Provide leadership and support for the Youth & Education Program Team Leaders, scheduling monthly Team Leaders meetings, setting leadership priorities, and leading the Youth and Education Team collaboratively with the Team Leaders.
• Continue to develop onboarding process and training materials for program staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and management of Youth & Education Program staff, volunteers, and interns.

Leadership:

• Serve as a member of IRC Washington’s Senior Management Team.
• Participate in Strategic Planning and implementation of Strategic Action Plan for IRC Seattle.
• Contribute to Youth and Education initiatives across IRC RAI network, including child safeguarding.
• Support youth and adult education programming throughout IRC Washington programs.
• Support HR with all staff meeting organization and planning of training and professional development opportunities within staff meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Graduate degree or certificate in education or equivalent years of work experience in education.
• 5+ years related professional experience working in youth development, education, or other relevant setting; Experience with social-emotional learning, ESL, STEM, and/or other relevant curriculum preferred.
• Minimum five years of nonprofit program coordination, management, or equivalent experience required.
• Demonstrated ability in designing and implementing youth programs and in developing community partnerships.
• Significant proposal development, grant writing, and fundraising experience required.
• Experience training or facilitating professional development opportunities for school faculty; comfortable public speaking.
• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations; cross-cultural or overseas experience required.
• Experience working with U.S. school systems.
• Experience with adult education and adult learning styles, particularly with multi-lingual, multi-cultural audiences.
• Experience leading large team, supervising and supporting staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Committed to anti-racism and continual learning and growth.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills including the ability to make presentations.
• Ability to work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Flexibility and ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment.

Work Environment:

• Standard hybrid/remote/office setting combined with travel and responsibilities performed in and around the service delivery area.

**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 candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

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: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our organization. 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.