Volunteer Adult VESL Instructor

Join to apply for the Volunteer Adult VESL Instructor role at International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non‑governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions.

The IRC in New Jersey welcomes newly arrived refugees and immigrants, supports them in their resettlement, and provides holistic services to help them build new lives in their communities. The IRC is looking for dedicated volunteer instructors to teach Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL) classes. The VESL program focuses on teaching English language skills within the context of Digital Literacy and Job Readiness Training.

The goal is to equip employable adults with secure jobs in the U.S. Volunteers must commit to teaching a selected schedule every week for a 5‑week long session for at least 6 months.

• Facilitate small to large group instruction using provided curriculum
• Assist conducting program outreach to recruit and enroll new adult learners into the program
• Assist conducting regularly scheduled program orientations to onboard new adult learners into the VESL program
• Administer pre‑ and post tests to effectively evaluate learning progress
• Manage online learning platform and in‑person classes including attendance, classroom management, etc.
• Provide "office hours" for adult learners to receive extra hands‑on support
• Support adult education staff to maintain referral process and communication with program staff to ensure adult learners are enrolled in a timely manner
• Create a welcoming environment that fosters community and learning among program participants while interacting with a diverse population
• Manage class attendance and retention to maximize program impact and meet program goals
• Maintain accurate and comprehensive attendance records and case notes
• Communicate with Adult Education staff to evaluate learners’ progress, define weekly lesson objectives and summarize learning outcomes

• Volunteers must be based in the U.S. Interns must be based in US, must be a US citizen or have US work authorization, must be enrolled in post‑secondary institution or have graduated from a post‑secondary institution within last 2 years
• Experience teaching ESOL/EFL to adults in group settings.
• TESOL certificate or working towards receiving a TESOL certification is preferred.
• Experience working with adult students from a variety of backgrounds, including those with limited formal education and/or literacy skills.
• Excellent classroom management skills and confidence facilitate both large and small groups.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast‑paced, ever‑changing environment.
• Reliable, responsible, and dedicated to the position until the end of the session.
• Fluency or familiarity with Spanish, Arabic, Pashto, Dari, Haitian Creole, or Swahili is a bonus, but not required.

The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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 $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 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.

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.