Financial Capability with East African Goat Project AmeriCorps VISTA

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. AmeriCorps VISTA is a national program where community members have the opportunity to serve in local nonprofits for one year helping eliminate poverty. In return for service, members receive a living allowance, health insurance and other benefits. These benefits are outlined in the corresponding section below.

Job Overview:

The VISTA position will serve within the International Rescue Committee Salt Lake East African Goat Project . This VISTA position will develop and build out financial capability opportunities, in the context of the project, to reach individuals in poverty that no other mainstream agency has been able to access, and which was not supported in the community when they were new arrivals. Particular focuses will be on women and youth and will include building elements such as basic financial training, coaching and mentoring, and connecting community members to existing IRC resources related to credit building and repair, credit building loans, asset building, home buying, tax assistance, and other small business development support. The overall impact of this infrastructure will be to increase the income, assets, and credit scores of members of the community.

Major Responsibilities:

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

• Increase awareness among communities participating in the East African Refugee Goat project to better engage them in existing IRC economic well-being programs while assessing areas of growth to better serve these populations, particularly with regard to purchasing goats from the project. 
• Build strategies and programming to engage the participating refugee communities in service activities at the Goat Project and in the broader community.
• Leverage the goat sales and prescribed grazing activities and of theGoat Project to create tailored soft skill and career development opportunities for members of participating communities. 
• Engage with youth and parents from participating communities todevelop the 4-H program in ways that meet community needs.
• Build capacity among the women’s groups that participate in the Goat Project to navigate and manage their financial lives.

AmeriCorps VISTA Benefits:

·Living Allowance ($990 per month, pre-taxes).

·At the end of year of service, the VISTA can choose an Education Award ($5,730) or End of Service Cash Stipend ($1,500).

·Relocation Allowance.

·Childcare assistance if eligible.

Required skills, knowledge and abilities:

·Full-time service for one year.

·Cannot be a full-time student. 

·Some college experience.

·At least 18 years of age.

·US Citizen or permanent resident.

·Experience with diverse and vulnerable populations preferred.

·Ability to communicate effectively with people of different linguistic backgrounds.

·Highly organized with excellent time and space management skills.

·Patience, flexibility and a good sense of humor.

·Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred in any refugee language.

·Professional, friendly, and courteous attitude a must.

·Ability to drive a vehicle; must have proof of insurance and good driving record.

IRC- leading the way from harm to home

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, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please apply at http://www.rescue.org/careers