Asylum Seekers and Families (ASF) Program Director

In 2018, the IRC in Arizona expanded its programs to serve greater numbers of families and individuals seeking asylum in the U.S. who are residing in or passing through the State of Arizona. The Director of Asylum Seekers and Families Program for the IRC in Arizona will help to strengthen and expand these services and position them for longer-term sustainability and positive community impact.

Our strength and success lie within our core values of Service, Accountability, Equality, and Integrity. We are strongly motivated by our clients and are dedicated to delivering high-impact and quality programs.

Job Summary

The Director of the Asylum Seekers and Families Program will create and lead all IRC’s activities and services for asylum seeking families and individuals in Arizona, focused primarily on emergency services at the Phoenix Welcome Center. Key responsibilities include, staying fully informed of all developments related to asylum seeker patterns across the state, serve as key participant in representation of IRC in interagency discussions and efforts; leadership of staff; sustaining and growing the ASF program; assuring compliance with donor expectations and meeting program goals. This position is part of the senior leadership team for IRC’s Arizona operations and is expected to align ASF goals and contribute to the strategic direction and operational problem solving through his/her areas of professional expertise.This position is also expected to broaden their leadership impact beyond the local office to influence best practice in his/her areas of expertise throughout the IRC.This position reports directly to the Executive Director for Arizona.

Major Responsibilities:

•Serve as a member of Phoenix’s leadership team, as a thought leader regarding Asylum practices and issues in strategic and office-wide discussions and processes,

•Provide leadership, oversee, and supervise staff and operations for the Phoenix Welcome Center and approximately 5 - 7 direct reports.

•Ensure close programmatic linkages between the Welcome Center and IRC Phoenix programs and departments; proactively collaborate and facilitate a strengths-based approach to services and implement processes and procedures that ensure clients are appropriately assessed and connected to relevant programs throughout the agency.

•Create, deliver, and sustain effective oversight for Welcome Center operations including budget management, donor billing, expense tracking, financial forecasting, vendor payments, facilities maintenance, supply chain systems, donation management and all other operational needs within the program team and in close collaboration with the broader IRC Arizona finance and operations departments.

•Ensure that the Welcome Center and ASF program complies with all contractual & reporting requirements, achieves required outcomes, provides quality services, and meets the needs of core stakeholders.

•Develop and maintain strategic community partnerships with other service providers, government agencies, foundations, employers, and other key stakeholders.

•Design, develop and grow IRC’s services for asylum seekers in Arizona and ensure the development of human and financial resources to sustain the program for the future.

•Stay informed on immigration, asylum, and border issues nationally and in the State of Arizona and ensure IRC representation in interagency discussions and efforts.

•Review, recommend, and write new grant opportunities in alignment with the strategic action plan and in partnership with the Grants Manager, Development Manager and other leadership team members.

•Provide effective oversight, training and support to direct service staff, who provide services and case management for new arrivals, as well as longer-term clients seeking extended services.

•Develop and maintain procedures and protocols for service delivery to clients.

•Monitor provision of services through regular and systematic file reviews, client interviews, and field visits, to ensure compliance with donor requirements and provision of quality services.

•Serve as critical lead in troubleshooting/management of client-related problems, including one-on-one meetings with clients and contacts with outside service providers to help solve client problems and negotiate on their behalf.

•Actively strive to resolve all grievances and improve upon identified deficiencies in service provision through enhanced training, coaching, and monitoring.

•Maintain and build effective representation for the Welcome Center and ASF program to federal and state offices, health, welfare, and education programs, community-based organizations, media and other external stakeholders.

•Take a leadership role on behalf of IRC in developing close and effective collaboration with IRC Arizona’s Managing Attorney for legal services, the Arizona Asylum Network in Tucson and health and wellness staff across the state for client service coordination.

•Comply with all IRC policies, procedures and protocols including adherence to the IRC Way and Child Safeguarding.

•Other related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

•Undergraduate degree required, Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Management, Public Administration, Social Work or related field preferred.

•Demonstrated understanding of the U.S. immigration system and stakeholders, particularly the U.S. asylum system; awareness of and commitment to the rights and realities of immigrant communities in the U.S. and the overall region with a special focus on the Southwest and Arizona, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border.

•Minimum 6+ years of related professional experience in non-profit management, program development and management; preferably in a grant-driven social services or non-profit environment.

•Four years of demonstrated experience in mentoring supervisors and direct staff supervision.

•Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish required. Cross-cultural understanding and strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

•Demonstrated understanding of fiscal management and reporting.

•Strong, demonstrated skill in donor compliance and donor relations.

•Ability to speak in front of groups comfortably and effectively.

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with limited-English speakers in a multi-cultural environment.

•Highly organized self-starter with proven success prioritizing multiple tasks, making critical decisions, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.

•Strategic, creative, problem solver capable of working well independently and as a part of a team.

•Follow and maintain strict guidelines of client and staff confidentiality.

•Advanced computer proficiency with an emphasis on Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook) database systems, desktop publishing, and PowerPoint. Strong command of Excel and budget management preferred.

•Must have a valid driver’s license, active insurance policy, access to reliable transportation and the ability to travel regularly throughout Arizona and service delivery area.

•In accordance with Arizona State Law, must possess or be eligible to receive a fingerprint clearance card.

Working Environment:

•The Phoenix Welcome Center is a 24-hour facility; flexible work hours, including holidays, evenings, and weekends with regular contact with ASF clients and volunteers.

•Ability to lift 35 lbs. to 50 lbs. to move furniture, household supplies, and boxes.

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