Youth Advocacy Specialist

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.

The Youth Advocacy Specialist is responsible for delivering youth services under the Sacramento Youth Department including the Elevate Youth and In-School Youth programs. The Youth Advocacy Specialist will work alongside Youth Specialists and Youth Advocacy Specialists as well as the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), a small team of female Afghan youth, to inform the community on substance prevention, women’s health, and mental wellness.

The Youth Advocacy Specialist will be responsible for community advocacy activities as detailed below. Additionally, the Youth Advocacy Specialist will serve as a liaison between In-School Youth Services and Elevate Program and support in after-school programming to create stronger connections to schools, students, and teachers.

• 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, curriculum, and teambuilding.
• Document client participation and progress, adhering to grant requirements.
• Track all grant progress as well as YLC efforts and hours to ensure outcomes are met.
• Track and approve accurate timesheets for YLC members ensuring accurate spend down of funds and ensuring all work documents and appropriate signatures are collected.
• Organize and execute the annual Youth Advocacy Showcase community event showcasing youth’s prevention work and advocating to policy makers.
• At least once a week, during the school year, support the Refugees Empowering Peers after-school program led by IRC’s In-School Youth Team at high…