Program Officer, Partnerships and Community Engagement

Building Bridges: IRC Seeks Program Officer to Strengthen Community Engagement in the US

New York, NY – The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is looking for a dedicated and experienced Program Officer, Partnerships and Community Engagement to join its headquarters Resettlement Team in the United States. This vital role, posted on July 30, 2025, with a closing date of September 1, 2025, is central to the IRC's mission of supporting vulnerable populations and fostering strong community ties.

A Focus on Community and Collaboration

The Program Officer will be instrumental in enhancing the IRC's capacity to serve refugees and other newcomers across the US. A key aspect of the role involves managing community development and building robust relationships and partnerships with ethnic community-based organizations and other crucial stakeholders. This includes providing direct support to IRC program offices in cultivating diaspora partnerships at the local level and forging national collaborations that amplify their impact.

In close coordination with the HQ Preferred Communities Team, the Program Officer will also play a significant role in establishing impactful community engagement initiatives, such as community outreach, education programs, and the critical area of volunteer management.

Key Responsibilities: Cultivating Connections and Driving Impact

The successful candidate will be responsible for a range of duties under two primary areas:

Partnership Management

• Tracking and mapping HQ community resources for Virtual Resettlement Line (VRL), Virtual Supplemental Case Management (VSCM), and local offices, ensuring efficient resource allocation.

• Collaborating with local program offices and HQ staff to identify and capitalize on partnership needs and opportunities.

• Supporting offices and headquarters with essential internal vetting, contracting, MOUs, and other formal partnership agreements.

• Facilitating listening sessions with ethnic community-based and newcomer-serving organizations to continuously refine and improve services.

• Developing and executing a comprehensive relationship management strategy to enhance partner and stakeholder engagement, ensuring consistent communication and long-term collaboration.

• Creating and disseminating evidence-informed tools, fact sheets, presentations, and templates for national and local outreach.

• Facilitating internal and external partnerships to promote learning, sharing of promising practices, and collaborative efforts.

• Ensuring timely submission of all required reports and documentation.

Volunteer Coordination

• Overseeing volunteer and intern coordination services for VSCM and VRL staff, including developing clear service descriptions and leading recruitment and onboarding efforts for new virtual volunteers, interns, and mentors.

• Managing the full volunteer lifecycle, from recruitment and orientation to training and ongoing supervision, with a particular focus on integrating virtual volunteer roles.

• Maintaining consistent communication between VSCM, VRL staff, and volunteers, and researching resources to effectively leverage virtual volunteer support.

• Managing volunteer records, including files, database entries (Golden, Salesforce, Integra, etc.), and timesheets.

• Participating in Volunteer Coordination Communities of Practice to ensure all volunteer programming aligns with evolving IRC compliance and safeguarding standards.

• Supporting a positive and productive volunteer and intern experience, including organizing virtual recognition and appreciation events.

Qualifications and Working Environment

Candidates should possess an undergraduate degree in a related field or equivalent experience, along with a minimum of 3-5 years of progressive work experience in social service or humanitarian assistance programs. Prior experience in community engagement, government relations, partnership development, or volunteer relations is highly desirable. A strong understanding of the primary needs, barriers, and opportunities faced by refugee communities in the US is also essential.

The IRC emphasizes a flexible working environment, offering either remote or in-office arrangements. Some flexibility for meetings outside regular working hours may be required.

Competitive Benefits and Equal Opportunity

The IRC is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all applicants based on 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.

The organization offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits for US-based candidates, including:

• 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 insurance starting at $6.50 per month

• Vision insurance starting at $5 per month

• FSA for healthcare and commuter costs

• A 403b retirement savings plan with immediately vested matching

• Disability & life insurance

• An Employee Assistance Program providing counseling and support for staff and their families.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply directly through the IRC's website: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req59076/Program-Officer-Partnerships-and-Community-Engagement

This role presents a significant opportunity to contribute to the well-being and integration of vulnerable populations in the United States through strategic partnerships and robust community engagement.

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