Help support refugee communities! The Tennessee Office for Refugees (TOR) is seeking VISTA members to coordinate Refugee Youth Mentoring Program's in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, TN focused on increasing educational and vocational opportunities for refugee youth and young adults ages 15 – 24 years old.
Service Activities
The VISTA member will develop, implement, and sustain the facilitation of mentoring matches in the areas of participant recruitment, screening, mentor training, and match supervision.
Community Need Addressed
The Refugee Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator will facilitate matches for refugee youth ages 15-24 years old with community members to achieve educational, vocational, or social goals -- increasing the scope of supportive services available to refugee youth.
Position Outcomes
The VISTA member will collaborate with a cohort of VISTA members serving in the same capacity with partner agencies in Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, and Knoxville– meeting regularly with a Statewide Coordinator to develop best practices, participate in trainings, and troubleshoot complex issues. The VISTA member will develop and implement an outreach plan to build the Refugee Youth Mentoring Program’s effectiveness, efficiency, and scope – increasing the capacity of local refugee service networks by strengthening and expanding partnerships with key stakeholders. Additionally, the VISTA member will grow analytical and critical thinking skills while researching and developing programmatic best practices; developing data collection and program analysis processes; and pursuing available grant resources to ensure program sustainability.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
Opportunities for additional professional development.
Education Benefits
College Degree
Skills you will gain
Writing/Editing, Teaching/Tutoring, Public Speaking, Fund raising/Grant Writing, Leadership, Youth Development, Social Services, Community Organization, Recruitment, Education, Communications, Team Work .
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Turn taking, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Effectively delegate tasks, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Evaluate customer or client satisfaction, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment