Refugee Youth Mentoring Program (RYMP) Specialist for Afghan Youth

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 Seattle is committed to providing trauma-informed, equitable, and accessible services and maintaining and evolving a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Job Overview: The vision of the IRC Washington’s Education and Learning Programs is that youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds will have the skills and resources necessary to pursue a future of opportunity. The Youth Program works towards this vision by providing educational and enrichment opportunities to help school-aged and young adult youth from refugee and immigrant backgrounds catch up on their education, accelerate English proficiency, plan and prepare for post-secondary education and career, and build positive relationships in the school and community.

The RYMP Specialist for Afghan Youth will partner with eligible newcomer Afghan youth between the ages of 18-24 years old, as they develop the skills, resources, and knowledge to pursue opportunities and set goals for their future. As part of the Refugee Youth Mentoring Program (RYMP), the Specialist for Afghan Youth will provide culturally and linguistically-appropriate services geared to support progress and goal setting around education, vocation, and systems navigation. Duties include and are not limited to supporting participants in individualized sessions, developing opportunities for participants to benefit from community mentors, as well as developing resources over time to strengthen the broader secondary programs that support older Afghan youth as well.

Major Responsibilities:

Coaching and Support for Youth Mentorship Program

• Create safe and healing learning spaces and build supportive relationships with newcomer Afghan youth utilizing a trauma informed and culturally responsive approach that promotes positive cultural identity, celebration of diversity, and is continually working towards equity and anti-racism in education.
• Provide coaching through the understanding and lens of the unique background and experiences newcomer Afghan youth may have as a result of arriving to the US since July 2021.
• Conduct creative outreach, recruitment, and intake/onboarding into for eligible newcomer Afghan Youth.
• In partnership with enrolled youth, create individualized service plans and program goals for each participant, centered on youth voice and choice, using a strengths-based approach.
• Provide ongoing and regular, individualized case management and coaching services to eligible participants after enrollment, with a focus on education, vocational/career readiness, and systems navigation.
• Complete regular case notes, service plan updates, and documentation to support monthly and quarterly reporting requirements. Program Design • Develop creative and intentional processes to engage volunteer community mentors, including but not limited to recruitment, onboarding, dialogue and trainings on cultural responsiveness and trauma informed approaches, intentional matching of participants to a mentor, as well as monitoring and support of the mentor-mentee relationship under the formalized guidelines and safeguarding measures.
• Plan and design feasible group opportunities for visits or exposure to vocational, technical or educational programs, in accordance with guidance around COVID-19 (field trips, college visits, virtual or in-person college and career panel discussions). Consider broadening opportunities to IRC participants in various programs.
• Inform topics and content for quarterly social and civic engagement opportunities initiated by RYMP team members. Resource Development
• Build and maintain ongoing knowledge of college and career pathways, application processes, financial aid options and requirements, unique college and career programs for eligible newcomer Afghan youth.
• Research and build knowledge of available services and programs offered within IRC, the county, community colleges, universities, partner agencies, and social service providers, in order to make referrals and connect youth and families to additional programs and services as needed. General
• Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and fully engage as a member of the IRC team.
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency.
• Other related duties as assigned.
Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Sr. Youth Program Coordinator
Position directly supervises: Volunteers and Interns
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Resettlement Department, Development Team, Education and Learning Department(Youth Programs), New Roots Program, Health Empowerment Program, Survivor Services Program, Economic Empowerment Program, Early Employment Department, Immigration Program, and other IRC departments

External: Community based organizations, Colleges and Universities, Employment agencies, families Qualifications
• Relevant professional and lived experience working with Afghan youth and communities
• Written and spoken fluency in Pashto and Dari, as well as professional proficiency in English required
• Understanding of Afghan culture and the unique dynamics among various ethnicities required
• Understanding of or ability to quickly learn about the unique challenges and opportunities of Afghan youth who have arrived to the US since July 2021
• Experience working with multi-lingual learners with limited English Proficiency
• Cross cultural experience; connection and experience working with communities from refugee and/or immigrant backgrounds
• Relevant experience related to areas such as case management, social work, youth development, economic empowerment, mentoring, college/career coaching
• Knowledge and experience with college and career systems navigation desirable, such as high school completion options, college and career pathways, financial aid options and requirements, unique college and career programs for newcomer youth from refugee background
• Committed to anti-racism and continual learning and growth
• Flexible and adaptable – able to quickly problem solve and change plans and activities according to participant/ team need or unexpected circumstances
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills. Ability to work well with people of diverse cultural backgrounds
• Ability to work well independently and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Zoom or other video conferencing platforms, or strong willingness to learn
• Willing to be First Aid/CPR certified upon hire Working Environment:
• Standard office setting at IRC’s office in SeaTac and remote within the King County vicinity; Occasional evening or weekend activities as needed. • Need access to reliable high-speed internet from remote office or ability to work from IRC’s office in SeaTac.
• Need access to reliable transportation to travel and work off-site for participant related activities (i.e. schools, apartment complexes, community center etc.)
• Typical schedule will be Monday – Friday roughly 10:00 – 6:00 or may shift slightly based on participant schedules
• Access to reliable transportation to travel and work off-site at programs

Timeframe: This is a a limited term contract with an end date of September 30,2024 with prospects, but no guarantee of extending beyond.

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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