Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist

Overview

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. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview: The Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist is responsible for delivering youth services under the Elevate Youth program. The Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist will have oversight of the Elevate Youth program, Youth Leadership Council (YLC), and program deliverables. The Youth Leadership Council is a team of eight to twelve Afghan girls ages 14–24 who are contracted through IRC to inform, research, design, and implement program objectives around substance prevention, mental health, and advocacy.

The Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist will oversee the YLC activities and ensure youth receive targeted leadership training, substance prevention education, and opportunities to use their voice. Additionally, the Senior Youth Advocacy Specialist will oversee community partnerships and networking to further extend the reach the YLC has in the community. This position will directly oversee the Youth Specialist role and coordination of program activities.

Outreach and Enrollment

• Work in tandem with school districts and other community-based organizations to highlight youth eligible for YLC.
• Provide thorough and fair assessments and interviews of those interested in serving on the YLC.

Leadership Coaching and Youth Engagement

• Provide oversight of staff case management and leadership trainings for YLC participants including one-on-one youth services counseling; this includes service planning, goal setting, resource mapping, supporting leadership activities, and the provision or supportive services as necessary.
• Develop and lead youth leadership coalition leadership development and advocacy training.
• Recruit skilled volunteers, community organizations, and community leader contacts to train clients through workshops and trainings on topics such as substance education, advocacy, and mental health.
• Reach out and develop contacts with local community-based organizations, schools, and private businesses to strengthen Wellness Workshops and presentations offerings.
• Document client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Track all grant progress including hours youth served in planning or executing events, ensuring timesheets are accurately completed and all grant outcomes are met or exceeded.

Community Advocacy

• Provide case management and leadership trainings for YLC participants including one-on-one youth services counseling; this includes goal setting, resource mapping, supporting leadership activities, and coaching clients.
• Oversee the YLC members and support them in development, planning, and execution of Community Presentations, Wellness Workshops, and Social Events.
• Lead regular planning meetings with YLC to plan activities alongside YLC members to meet program objectives.
• Conduct listening sessions and empower youth to administer surveys to community members, collecting data on substance abuse and mental wellness education in the community.
• Create content for IRC youth social media accounts and help coordinate with YLC members for content contributions.
• Support youth to provide tailored community presentations annually to reduce stigma and increase awareness around mental health, substance use and prevention.
• Work in tandem with school districts and other community-based organizations to create opportunities for the YLC to share and recruit additional youth to participate in activities.
• Work with YLC to update presentations, ensuring that content is consistently revised to meet the needs of the target population.
• Lead YLC leadership development and activism training retreat.
• Support planning and execution of youth events throughout the year open to all community youth. Support YLC in recruitment of youth attendees and marketing of the events.
• Alongside YLC support development of curriculum for Wellness Workshops and community presentations. Create relationships with community organizations to host workshops/presentations.
• Engage youth on the Youth Leadership Council (YLC) in all aspects of community advocacy including in-person and digital outreach events, presentation preparation, and outreach to policymakers.
• Support in planning, execution, and leadership of bi-monthly YLC meetings including development of lessons,…