Volunteer Assistant - Community Sponsorship
Church World Service, Inc.

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 Volunteer Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing bold and innovative partnerships to cultivate and strengthen community sponsorship opportunities. Duties include but are not limited to recruiting, training, and coordinating cosponsor groups and generating and coordinating in-kind and cash support for refugee participants in the co-sponsorship program.

Responsibilities

• Develop community partnerships to assist in meeting the needs of newly arriving refugees. Common needs include furniture and household items, assistance establishing a medical home, assistance accessing local resources, help creating a resume or learning the bus route to a new job.
• Work with the Community Engagement Manager, Resettlement Team to determine a plan for outreach and identify engagement opportunities
• In coordination with Community Engagement Manager develop and implement system for tracking community partnerships and prospecting in-kind donors
• Represent CWS NC and conduct outreach at various meetings and community events, including fairs, festivals, faith-based events, etc.
• Recruit, screen, conduct background checks, and train cosponsor groups
• Provide regular communication and support to cosponsor groups, including check-in calls, surveys, and listening circles
• In conjunction with Case Managers, develop detailed service plans with refugee participants and cosponsor groups outlining SMART goals and activities
• Plan and execute events to engage and educate broader community
• Secure financial support for refugee participants from cosponsor groups and community donors, including rent support, utility payments, vocational training assistance and childcare support
• Coordinate, track, and monitor all in-kind donations such as furniture, household supplies, toiletries, etc.
• Disseminate information for upcoming actions and events
• Advocate on behalf of refugees and immigrants, and refugee/immigrant-serving voluntary agencies
• Keep informed of refugee and immigrant issues, using current information to educate the broader community and raise awareness
• Work varied hours, including some nights and weekends
• Attend trainings and conferences as requested by supervisor

Qualifications

Education: Bachelors' degree or equivalent experience preferred.

Experience: 2 years of experience in a non-profit setting. Cultural sensitivity is essential. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required. Must be comfortable with public speaking.

Skills:

• Outstanding personal communication style, interpersonal judgement, and the ability to produce high quality and compelling material.
• The ideal candidate must be a quick study of CWS's past successes and future opportunities, and must be highly entrepreneurial, resourceful, and creative.
• Must have excellent leadership skills and a strong ability to maintain and grow relationships while working effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required. Successful candidates will have prior racial equity training, and will be comfortable engaging cosponsor groups in racial justice and antiracism work.

Special Requirements:

• Must be willing to work onsite in the office
• Driver's License required
• Successful candidates must be willing to undergo a criminal background check
• Ability to lift 20 lbs. of weight, light to moderate physical activity required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends

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
- Commuter Benefits

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