You are viewing a preview of this job. Log in or register to view more details about this job.

Refugee Microenterprise Development AmeriCorps VISTA

Refugee Microenterprise Development VISTA at the International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization. One of it's projects, The Refugee Microenterprise Development Project works to improve the financial situation of refugees by offering training, one-on-one technical assistance, connection to mainstream resources, and capital to assist refugee entrepreneurs in starting and expanding their small businesses. The program also assists in connecting entrepreneurs to potential markets for their products and services.

The AmeriCorps VISTA member assigned to this program will work on building and expanding materials for capacity development and programmatic improvements. These improvements will help lift refugee entrepreneurs and their communities out of poverty and into stable, sustainable career paths. The IRC is located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, but this position gets to split its time between the IRC and the Utah Refugee and Education Center, lending itself to amazing connections all over the valley. Our VISTA can expect to grow professionally while doing valuable work; form meaningful relationships with both refugee and mainstream community members; and receive appreciation, recognition, and support from IRC staff.

In Salt Lake City, there’s always something to do, and enough variety for everyone. The city offers abundant free events and access to diverse, year-round outdoor recreation. Please reach out with any questions about the position, AmeriCorps VISTA or the Utah Refugee VISTA Project at large.

Position Details
Member Duties:
  • Create sustainable market access points for refugee entrepreneurs to gain real-world experience in selling goods and services.
  • Expand the number of sites where refugees may access business development and other financial capability services.
  • Build a process to assist entrepreneurs in accessing the comprehensive services provided through the Microbusiness Connection Center.
  • Collaborate with refugee entrepreneur leaders to build social capital among community members to create a support mechanism for existing business owners to interact, as well as have a voice in the larger business community in Salt Lake.
  • Develop formal outreach mechanisms for the program in the areas of web and social media presence, community-level, and individual-level, and through nontraditional organizations in the mainstream such as chambers of commerce and other professional and technical bodies.
  • Institute a sustainable volunteer recruitment and training process.

Service Areas:
  • Entrepreneur/Business, Community and Economic Development.
  • Perfect for a budding entrepreneur, business manager, program manager, analyst, marketing and advertisement specialist, social media engagement specialist, event planner, or community outreach and engagement specialist.
Skills:
  • Non-profit management, community organization, communications, writing/editing, business/entrepreneur, team work, fund raising/grant writing, recruitment

Terms and Benefits
Terms:
Permits attendance at school during off hours, Permits working at another job during off hours.

Program Benefits:
Living Allowance, Relocation Allowance, Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend, Training Opportunities, Health Coverage*, Childcare assistance if eligible. 

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please click here.

Next Steps
To submit an application, please visit the opportunity listing on the My AmeriCorps portal
For more information about the AmeriCorps VISTA program, please visit the AmeriCorps website.
For more information about the International Rescue Committee, please visit their website.

For further questions and inquiries, please contact Kira Norcross by phone at (801) 300-9239 or by email at knorcross@utah.gov