Program Officer, Economic Opportunity
Church World Service, Inc.

Job Info

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Overview

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.

About CWS

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose

The Program Officer, Economic Opportunity is responsible for assisting with the delivery of high-quality resettlement and integration services for refugee populations, served through the Matching Grant Program (MG) across the CWS affiliate network. This position is primarily responsible for the programmatic implementation and compliance of the Matching Grant Program. This position also has responsibilities related to monitoring, data analysis, program development, training, technical assistance and proposal and report writing. An important prerequisite for this position is the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in a collegial manner and to work independently to carry assignments through to completion.

Domestic travel is required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain up-to-date self-education about resettlement and integration programs and develop specific expertise in the MG Program. Ensure other unit colleagues are informed as appropriate.
• Maintain day-to-day contact and provide technical assistance to an assigned portfolio of affiliates on overall MG program implementation and services to MG populations.
• Conduct desktop, on-site and ongoing monitoring of affiliates and sub-offices for compliance with resettlement and integration program requirements.
• Regularly review MG and other program policies, forms, and manuals to stay abreast of changes in program implementation.
• In collaboration with colleagues, develop and provide needs-based technical assistance and training; this may be provided through e-learning modules, webinars, in-person trainings, communities of practice and one-on-one phone calls.
• In coordination with supervisor, analyze funding guidelines to ensure agency compliance; as necessary, assist in the development or revision of CWS policies, standard operating procedures, and training materials to ensure high quality service provision by CWS affiliates.
• Contribute to the development of the CWS MG proposals and other proposals related to resettlement and integration when requested. In collaboration with supervisor and colleagues, review affiliate proposal budgets and written narratives.
• Contribute to required MG semi-annual and annual narrative and data reports and other reports as requested.
• Utilize established indicators and develop additional indicators, where appropriate, to measure achievement and evaluate outcomes; through regular review of qualitative and quantitative data, identify program trends, promising practices and areas for improvement and make recommendations for program development and enhancement; assist CWS HQ colleagues in assembling outcomes reports for CWS affiliate staff knowledge.
• Support supervisor with development and curation of tools, resources and trainings related to economic opportunity or case management programming themes for the CWS network.
• Provide ongoing training to the CWS network regarding Matching Grant reporting, compliance, program management, database use, best practices in generating matching funds, and other key MG and Integration topic areas.
• Assist with implementation and overall compliance of the Matching Grant program in consultation with supervisor, including evaluation of programmatic changes and review of impacts to the grant.
• Regularly review statistical reports to analyze data trends and respond appropriately.
• Assist with planning, preparation, and implementation at CWS conferences and training events. Present at conferences when requested.
• Train and guide program monitors to assess compliance and support successful implementation of programs serving vulnerable populations.
• As requested, represent CWS at internal and external conferences, meetings, committees and working groups with CWS colleagues, national Resettlement Agencies, federal partners, and other stakeholders.
• Work collaboratively as part of the Integration and Stabilization Services department, consulting with all staff members to plan relevant topics or MG activities and training.
• Perform other related duties and projects as requested.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Minimum of five years professional experience required.
• Four years experience in a local resettlement affiliate or a national office of a resettlement agency necessary; local resettlement affiliate experience strongly preferred;
• Experience with employment services or case management for newcomers required;
• Strong understanding of employment, financial, and economic opportunity needs of refugees or case management practices required;
• Knowledge/experience with data collection and management preferred;
• Knowledge/experience with monitoring and evaluation techniques preferred;
• Knowledge/experience with budgets and financial management preferred;
• Knowledge/experience with federal grants (particularly in the resettlement field) preferred;
• Must be able to travel to affiliate sites and be able to provide technical assistance, training, and monitoring;
• Excellent project and data management skills;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and ability to manage a large and diverse workload under pressure and with competing priorities;
• Ability to maintain a high performance standard with attention to detail;
• Experience in general office work, processing information and materials and maintaining records and files.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and diplomacy skills; ability to work collaboratively and effectively with partners and teams;
• Ability to conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner at all times to represent the professional and institutional interests of CWS;
• Knowledge and experience in working with Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and database software is essential; experience with Microsoft SharePoint and Articulate 360 (or other Learning Management System) preferred;
• Strong writing skills a must;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required;
• Ability to speak a primary language from a refugee population preferred;
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent education and work experience.
• Master's degree in social work, nonprofit administration, or similar field or equivalent experience preferred.

Special Requirements

To be considered, a resume and cover letter are required. Please submit these items via our Careers page: Work with CWS | CWS (cwsglobal.org).

Work Location:

This position is a US-based remote role with in-person responsibilities. Employees wishing to maintain a remote work arrangement must be able to fulfil the following conditions:

• Ability to maintain secure and appropriate personal work environment for day-to-day work
• Access to strong and reliable internet access
• Ability to adhere to CWS data security policies and protect sensitive and personally identifiable information
• Regular work hours must span core business hours 10AM-4PM Eastern time
• Must use CWS provided equipment such as laptop and cell phone
• Proximity to US airport for required travel

Benefits

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts

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