Cultural & Community Liaison

Job Summary 

The Cultural and Community Liaison is responsible for providing education and building resilience of people forcibly displaced. This position will be a bridge between individuals and families from the community who are experiencing adjustment difficulties and the service providers offering support and services. The role will include outreach to service providers, including ECBOs and to newcomer communities to facilitate referral pathways. This position will also assist with providing cultural background training to local service providers who are not familiar with the unique needs of newcomers who have experienced trauma. Depending on community and programmatic need, the Cultural and Community Liaison may also assist with running psychosocial support groups, providing educational workshops, and developing community activities that foster healthy connections.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Promote mental health and psychosocial support within affected communities.
  1. Meet with service providers to develop a community map of local resources frequently serving newcomers and to identify service providers in need of training to serve newcomers in a more culturally-appropriate way.
  2. Prepare trainings for service providers based on their needs and goals to increase cultural competency and appropriateness of their services.
  3. Conduct outreach to newcomer communities.
  4. Under supervision, engage in evidenced based psychoeducation and skill building activities
  5. Document activities through case notes and data entry
• Assist with evaluation of current program services and explore ways to introduce new service opportunities.
• Attend IRC trainings and conference calls addressing mental health program development and other refugee mental health and psychosocial support related topics

Job Requirements

Education:

• Undergraduate degree preferred, preferably in the field of social services.

Work Experience:

• Prior experience working with refugees and/or community organizing, preferably with disadvantaged communities and related to health or mental health
• Familiarity with issues facing refugee and immigrant communities as they relate to trauma, adjustment, and mental health

Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:

• Fluency in English and either Dari, Pashto, Swahili, Kibembe, Franch, Arabic, and/or Spanish strongly preferred.
• Ability to advocate and liaise with health and social service systems
• Excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties and manage time effectively
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively across lines of difference with respect to race, gender, ethnicity, language, religion and age
• Ability to follow strict guidelines of client confidentiality and safeguarding
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with data-tracking systems

Working Environment: 

• A combination of standard office environment and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above outlined responsibilities.
• Regular travel between IRC Iowa City and Des Moines offices is expected and scheduled based on program needs and appointments.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

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: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12 month time period.