Technical Advisor Economic Empowerment (Workforce Development)

SCOPE:

The Technical Advisor, Economic Empowerment (Workforce Development) supports IRC’s Economic Empowerment programs in nearly 30 US cities and, intermittently in Europe and on other international projects. The Technical Advisor, Economic Empowerment (Workforce Development) is responsible for providing technical assistance to internal and external partners on workforce development programming including basic employment services, sector-aligned programming, career pathway programming, and other program models that are focused on serving diverse populations with barriers to employment and economic mobility. The position also supports management of multi-site initiatives, strategic partnership development, resource development, and integration of workforce development programming and other initiatives into the continuum of programs and services offered by the IRC.  

Major Responsibilities:

Technical Support

·       Ensure that IRC’s domestic EE programs are technically sound and of highest quality; strong focus on workforce development programs

·       Provide remote and on-site technical support and assistance in the design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EE programming, in particular workforce development programs

·       Develop and adapt tools, policy and curriculum to support standard program delivery, in particular in the area of employment, career development and workforce development

·       Establish best practices and develop resources to support replication of successful EE models, with emphasis on workforce and career pathway programs

·       Coordinate delivery of technical training

·       Leverage internal and external technical resources to expand IRC capacity

·       Support and enrich internal working group(s) on workforce development and related EE program areas

·       Monitor and report to RAI senior management on the successes and challenges of programming in this sector

·       Technical support to external stakeholders including public systems at the municipal, state, and federal level

Strategy, policy & institutional capacity building

·       Contribute to the development of organizational strategy and policy to promote economic wellbeing of IRC clients in the US and Europe

·       Contribute to the development of best practices and internal and external learning around workforce development and integration of EE services with other core sectors

·       Research and liaise with external communities of practice on trends in EE programs, in particular workforce development

·       Support field offices in the recruitment and selection of new EE field staff, in particular workforce development

Business Development and Representation

·       Attract financial and technical resources towards the achievement of RAI economic wellbeing  outcomes, especially workforce development

·       Build corporate and institutional partnerships that promote opportunities for employment and career-laddering for USP clients

·       Cultivate donor and academic relationships to support workforce development programs and related initiatives

·       Lead the development of concept notes and proposals for EE programs, in particular workforce development programs

·       Provide guidance and support to field offices to effectively access funding and provide technical review of proposals prepared by field staff

Assessment & Evaluation

·       Ensure intervention methodologies are evidence-based

·       Coordinate tracking, compilation and analysis of key indicators and outcomes for programming in this sector

·       Adapt and develop evidence-based tools for measurement and assessments of programming in this sector

·       Contribute new evidence, ideas and analysis to promote program impact and cost-effectiveness 

·       Identify and share best practices across the network and with external partners

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Position reports to: Director, Economic Empowerment

The TA maintains close working relationships with Executive Directors, and technical staff in the field offices, staff in the Program Quality & Innovation unit, Research, Analysis and Learning unit, Resource Acquisition and Institutional Partnerships & Philanthropy teams.  The TA is also expected to develop and maintain external relationships with corporate partners, public agencies, peer service providers and research institutions across the country.

Requirements:

• Masters/post-graduate degree in a related field strongly preferred
• Minimum of five years of experience with progressive responsibility in implementation of workforce development or related programming required
• Demonstrated experience implementing publicly-funded workforce development programs including WIOA, SNAP E&T, Welfare-to-Work, and similar programs strongly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in program design, monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action;
• Demonstrated experience building career pathway programs that include public and private sector partners such as workforce development boards, community colleges, industry, and labor
• Demonstrated understanding of workforce development services a must; experience with  financial literacy, asset development, micro-lending or related programs a plus, ideally within the context of serving low-income immigrant and refugee communities
• Demonstrated success in securing public and private funding, in particular related to workforce development
• Demonstrated experience working with system-level partners to implement programming; experience providing technical assistance to system-level partners preferred
• Strong track record of external and public relations with partners and donors
• Excellent communication, teambuilding and interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing skills

·       Ability to think strategically and creatively.

• Strong organizational skills with ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time and meet deadlines, and proven ability to work under pressure

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.