Career Development Specialist, NVPPA

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.

This position is open to candidates with existing work authorization in the location where the position is advertised.

The National Virtual Program for Professional Advancement (NVPPA) is a nationwide, fully virtual program through which the International Rescue Committee (IRC) serves newly arrived refugees under a cooperative agreement with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Participants receive career navigation, training, job placement support, and direct financial assistance to advance an individualized career goal. NVPPA operates alongside other federally funded programs, such as initial resettlement services and Matching Grant, and is designed to complement rather than replace or duplicate these programs.

The Career Development Specialist is the participant’s primary point of contact in the program, working remotely with refugees across the country by phone, video, and online tools. From intake and eligibility verification through an approved Professional Advancement Plan (PAP), this position guides each participant toward their career goal, whether that means finding a training partner, completing credential evaluation and recertification, or moving forward with an approved vehicle purchase.

The role coordinates closely with the Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, administrative and job development staff, and external resettlement partners to ensure participants move smoothly between services, while maintaining accurate case records and documentation in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) in line with ORR reporting requirements and IRC financial controls.

• Outreach and Intake Conduct virtual outreach, intake, and enrollment for eligible participants, including verifying eligibility documentation.
• Coordinate with IRC offices, resettlement agencies, and local partners to identify and connect with eligible participants.
• Career Navigation Complete a skills assessment with each participant and develop an individualized Professional Advancement Plan (PAP) that defines their career goal, pathway, and planned use of direct financial assistance.
• Review the PAP with each participant, provide feedback on the career goal, and confirm that proposed use of funds meets ORR eligible-use requirements.
• Provide ongoing navigation by phone and video to help participants access training, credential evaluation and recertification, and other approved supports.
• Research career advancement, certification, and vocational education opportunities across state and local labor markets.
• Connect participants to resources and services within IRC and in their local communities.
• Maintain working knowledge of credential evaluation services and state licensing requirements in high-demand fields, and carry a caseload of participants pursuing those pathways.
• Coordination Work with the Economic Empowerment Technical Unit, Administrative Staff, and Job Development staff so participants move smoothly between navigation, training, and placement services, and to ensure financial assistance requests align with approved PAPs.
• Coordinate with other service providers, including PIR providers and Matching Grant employment specialists, to support co-enrollment and avoid duplication of services.
• Compliance Maintain accurate, timely case files in Efforts to Outcomes (ETO), including documentation and the service and outcome data required for ORR reporting.
• Ensure documentation for each financial assistance request is complete before submission, consistent with IRC financial controls.

• 1-2 years of demonstrated experience in a human services field, preferably in a nonprofit or social services setting.
• Strong written, oral, and…