Economic Empowerment Specialist
Reports to: Manager, Pathways to Empowerment (P2E)
Womankind uses the multidimensionality of our Asian heritage to work alongside survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) as they build a path to healing. We are working tirelessly to create a future where we Rise Above Violence and our communities can innovate towards collective well-being, restoration, and social justice. In addition to promoting healing and safety through service provision, Womankind promotes gender justice through research, coalition building, policy analysis, and community education and mobilization.
As a part of the Womankind team, the Economic Empowerment Specialist will work with both our residential as well as community programs to improve economic empowerment outcomes for our client base. The Specialist will work with advocates, managers as well as Associate Directors to create strategies that optimize the wellbeing of all survivors we work with. This is inclusive of working with current external structures and developing partnerships to support increased workforce opportunities for survivors of GBV within New York City.
This is a hands-on role that involves both micro-level work as well as macro-level work. It will be the responsibility of the Specialist to provide technical assistance to all advocate staff and at times client base surrounding economic empowerment (i.e. workforce readiness, financial coaching etc.). It will be the responsibility of the Specialist to conduct assessment of ongoing needs of the current client based and work with advocate staff to develop strategies to support the obtaining and maintaining of safe and independent living environments. The Specialist will additionally play an advocacy role in voicing the needs of survivors to local coalitions and taskforces that are developing policies and best practices when working with GBV survivors. The specialist will work with the Pathways to Empowerment team, which is inclusive of staff with technical skills in workforce readiness as well as benefits and entitlements expertise, to support a holistic and comprehensive understanding of empowerment and self-sufficiency. This position requires 40 hours per week in-person and partial remote work as of current.
The Economic Empowerment Specialist along with the Pathways to Empowerment colleagues will build out a program that is comprehensive within the agency looking at self-sufficiency in a more trauma-informed and survivor-centered lens.
Essential Functions:
- Responsible for the design and implement of assessment tools for program participants in relation to their career interests, employable skills, employment and financial goals.
- Facilitate financial workshops and employment workshops for survivors. (Topics include but are not limited to bank accounts, saving, credit and taxes, etc.)
- Facilitate workforce readiness related workshops. (Topics include but are not limited to soft skills vs. hard skills, job search strategies, interviewing skills, goal setting and career advancement, etc.)
- Find opportunities for immediate employment and create and maintain partnerships with employment resources and financial development resources.
- Develop and maintain external partnerships to identify vocational training, resources, and materials that support skill building and lead to potential job placement.
- Train and coach advocate staff to assist the survivor to understand what self-sufficiency means to them and develop strategies or steps to support achieving these outcomes.
- Provide one on one economic empowerment related case management services to a small case-load.
- Provide technical assistance for advocate staff as needed.
- Special projects and other tasks as assigned.
- Work in partnership with program team to build collaborative work environment.
- Engage in outreach activities to support spreading the work about Womankind’s work.
Qualifications:
- Deep commitment to Womankind’s mission
- Bachelor’s degree required (social sciences major preferred). Masters a plus.
- Experience in job placement/development and economic empowerment (1.5+ years preferred)
- Knowledge of different workforce readiness and financial barriers faced by survivors of GBV
- Willingness and motivation to work with clients and advocates to support understanding and navigation of both employment and financial literacy
- Some counseling experience (individual and group) in areas of trauma a plus
- Willingness to travel to both residential and community program sites
- Strong communications skills, both oral and written
- Excellent organizational skills, attention to details, and strong follow up skills
- Ability to be self-directed and highly motivated
- Must be proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint)
- Asian language ability preferred
- Cultural sensitivity a must
- Flexible hours required
Compensation Package:
Womankind offers a competitive and outstanding compensation package. Annual salary range for this position is between $50,000 and $53,000, based on the candidate’s experience, skill set, education, and other criteria. Top benefits include health/dental/vision insurance, generous paid time off, 403(b) retirement plan, and much more.
How to Apply:
Email resume and cover letter to: careers@iamwk.org. Please include your name and “Economic Empowerment Specialist” in the subject line. No calls, please.
Womankind is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
