Women’s Economic Empowerment Specialist

Job Overview:

The Women’s Economic Empowerment Specialist will work cross-departmentally to support women who are facing economic barriers through offering financial capabilities training and mentoring and employment navigation. The Specialist will work alongside Financial Coaches, Employment Specialists, and Caseworkers, either as the assigned economic empowerment focal point for clients accessing CFO services, or to supplement case management led by Caseworkers in areas such as Safety & Wellness or Resettlement. The Specialist is required to be trained in Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence (IPV/DV), financial literacy, and employment navigation for women from forcibly displaced populations, including asylum seekers. The Specialist will have a meaningful role in advancing core components of IRC’s vision for gender equality in outcomes, and IRC’s Strategy100.

Major Responsibilities:

·       Serve as economic empowerment coach for clients who identify as women who face higher barriers to employment and financial independence. This may include refugees, SIV holders, asylees, asylum seekers, other forcibly displaced persons, and individuals from broader immigrant communities.

·       Complete screening, intake, and assessment requirements;

·       Provide one-on-one counseling and coaching to help program participants develop financial plans, increase assets, reduce debts, and establish positive credit histories. Refer program participants to employment, career development, transportation, and micro-enterprise programs as appropriate;

• For clients seeking employment, work with them to develop a comprehensive employment plan;
• Determine specific employment opportunities appropriate to clients and assist clients in accessing these opportunities by guiding them through the hiring process;
• Assist clients and employers as necessary with post placement issues and continuing employment needs;
• Connect clients with skills-based classes  on a number of topics including sewing and cooking
• Build community partnerships and avenues for women participating in skills building classes to sell products made to support financial independence.
• Support clients to understand and navigate applicable labor rights issues;
• Monitor job performance, wage level, and employer/employee satisfaction;

·       Assist program participants with accessing mainstream financial services, including off-site visits to open bank accounts and apply for credit cards;

·       Support women to craft safe and feasible paths to financial independence so they have the power and support to reach their goals and claim their rights;

·       Support and/or lead financial literacy classes as assigned, including as a special topic in existing classes, or as stand-alone workshops. Administer pre- and post-assessments;

·       Conduct series of economic empowerment workshops and programs;

·       Support newly resettled clients through cultural orientation and family budget development;

·       Mentor specified colleagues on identifying signs of financial control and IPV, so that they can make appropriate referrals to internal and community resources;

·       Ensure that information required for program eligibility and reporting purposes is collected and that accurate records are maintained, including case files and client data entry. Ensure vital steps are taken to obtain relevant data in a timely fashion; follow-up with all clients regularly and record all contacts with case notes;

·       Ensure timely and accurate compliance to all reporting requirements, and entry into Efforts-to-Outcome Database (ETO);

·       Attend regularly scheduled team meetings, all-staff meetings, and meetings with other IRC staff and volunteers as part of the review, evaluation and program maintenance process;

·       Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

·       Undergraduate degree in social work, gender studies, or relevant field preferred;

·       Familiarity with survivor-centered services and trauma-informed care required. 60-hour DV/SA training preferred;

·       2+ years working in non-profit sector, including economic empowerment and/or wellness programs strongly preferred; 2+ years with client counseling, case management, or coaching required;

·       High level of familiarity with U.S. credit and banking system and experience with personal budgeting, banking and credit counseling required;

·       Experience in navigating the local workforce system including employer relations development and accessing WIOA services. Knowledge of labor law;

·       Experience working with English language learners required; experience working with refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and/or immigrant populations desired.

• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks;

·       Strong written and oral and interpersonal communication skills: the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and partners in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment, and the ability to present to a varied public required;

·       Proven diplomatic, collaboration, and networking skills: the ability to effectively lead a variety of internal and external relationships required;

·       Solid organizational skills with the ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines required;

·       Excellent interpersonal skills: the ability to work effectively with partners and colleagues in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment required;

·       Proficient with Microsoft Office suite required;

·       Proficient in spoken and written English; proficient in an additional language relevant to current immigrant populations preferred.

• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.

Working Environment: 

·       A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.

·        Requires occasional weekend and/or evening work;

·       Regular travel to off-site locations is required;

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: 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.  

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