United States of America: Microenterprise Business Counselor

IRC Background:

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 at work in over 40 countries and 24 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

The IRC’s Center for Financial Opportunity (CFO) helps newly arrived refugees and other low-income individuals reach self-sufficiency by finding entry-level employment and progress to living wage jobs, learn basic financial management skills and build assets, and start small businesses. The Center then helps families move sustainably out of poverty by offering high-quality, culturally-and linguistically accessible, integrated economic empowerment services.

Job Overview:

Under the supervision of the Asset Building Program Supervisor, the Microenterprise Business Counselor will support the continued development of the IRC Microenterprise Program. The IRC Microenterprise Program offers loans and technical assistance to help CDBG, ORR, and SBDC eligible San Diego County residents start or grow a small business.

Major Responsibilities:

• Assist in the outreach and recruitment of program participants; screen and assess interested City of San Diego residents for program eligibility and participation;
• Provide one-on-one business counseling and management assistance to new and existing San Diego county residents owned-businesses in all areas of business start-up and expansion;
• Assist entrepreneurs to become ready for business financing through preparation of loan applications, business plans, and financial statements;
• Underwrite and package loan applications, and present for review to the IRC’s CDFI;
• Conduct individual case management and loan collections, including "off-site" technical assistance visits to the businesses or homes of program participants;
• Proactively facilitate referrals to outside service providers as necessary to meet the diverse needs of the program participants;
• Ensure that information required for program eligibility and reporting purposes is collected and that accurate records are maintained, including case files and client data entry across multiple data bases. Ensure necessary steps are taken to obtain relevant data in a timely fashion; follow-up with all clients regularly and record all contacts with case notes;
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with other IRC staff and volunteers as part of the review, evaluation and program maintenance process;
• Assist in the planning and coordination of training activities and special events;
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree or related field; business experience in lieu of formal business education is acceptable;
• At least 2 years of experience in microenterprise development or operation of a small business is required and non-profit sector and experience with immigrant entrepreneurs is strongly preferred;
• Proficiency in Spanish or Vietnamese required;
• Knowledge and experience with an array of business topics, including marketing, management, financing, and entrepreneurship;
• Familiar with business software and technologies, especially low-cost online marketing strategies;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to make presentations;
• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.

Working Environment*:*

• Standard, professional office environment;
• Regular travel to off-site locations is required;
• Offices hours are scheduled as Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm;
• Access to a reliable vehicle to travel regularly throughout the service delivery area with a valid driver's license and current insurance.

https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=4107