Description
This role is an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of African immigrant and refugee youth and their families while working within a dynamic and supportive team environment. The Culturally Specific and Family Engagement Coordinator will play a vital role in strengthening cultural identity and family engagement for African immigrant and refugee students and their families as part of the Development of Black African Refugee and Immigrant Students for Success Program. This program is in partnership with Oregon Department of Education, Portland Public Schools and is delivering programming aligned with the African American/Black Student Success Plan.
This role will design and facilitate cultural identity and social-emotional learning workshops that empower youth with confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of belonging. Additionally, the coordinator will lead family engagement workshops that equip parents with tools to navigate the U.S. school system, advocate for their children, and take active roles in their academic success. All programming will be culturally responsive, linguistically accessible, and tailored to the needs of African immigrant and refugee families.
Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
● Bilingual/Bicultural proficiency (English/Maay-Maay/Swahili/Somali... preferred).
● Deep understanding of and commitment to African immigrant and refugee communities.
● Strong skills in community outreach, cultural programming, and workshop facilitation.
● Ability to build trusting relationships with youth, families, and community stakeholders.
● Excellent communication and advocacy skills, both written and verbal.
● Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance multiple priorities.
● Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, etc.).
● Willingness to work evenings and weekends to accommodate family schedules.
● Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurance coverage.
Professional Development
● Attend Training for ARIO staff, including all Development of Black African Refugee and
Immigrant Students for Success Program Training ● Attend Funder collaboration meetings.
● Participate in activities that bring joy to your work
Education and Experience
● Associate Degree (Bachelor’s preferred) in Education, Social Work, Community Development, or a related field.
● Experience in family engagement, case management, or community organizing.
● Experience collaborating with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations.
● Lived experience as a member of an African immigrant or refugee community is highly valued.
Bonuses
Discussed upon hire.
Benefits
Discussed upon hire.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Cultural Identity and Social-Emotional Learning Workshops
● Plan and facilitate quarterly workshops for 100-150 students and families to strengthen cultural identity and address social-emotional challenges.
● Collaborate with guest speakers, musicians, and community leaders to deliver dynamic and culturally enriching sessions.
● Build supportive environments that foster pride, belonging, and cultural understanding.
Family Engagement Workshops
● Host quarterly workshops for 30-50 families to educate parents on navigating the U.S.
school system, supporting their child’s education, and advocating for their needs.
● Provide resources and tools to bridge cultural gaps and enhance family-school collaboration.
● Empower parents to take active roles in their children’s academic and social development.
Program Monitoring and Reporting
● Track attendance and collect feedback from participants to assess workshop effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.
● Prepare reports for the Program Manager on participation, outcomes, and challenges encountered.
Community Partnerships
● Partner with schools, community organizations, and cultural leaders to enhance workshop content and outreach efforts.
● Act as a liaison between ARIO and the community to ensure programming reflects the needs and aspirations of the families served.
● Build and maintain relationships with local organizations, schools, and service providers to coordinate referral support for families.
● Attend community meetings to stay informed about available resources and opportunities for collaboration. Additional Responsibilities
● Collaborate with the Program Manager and Team to develop program strategy and cultivate and manage key relationships with families and funding partners.
● Meet regularly with the Program Manager for training, feedback and coaching.
● Meet regularly with the Program Manager and team members to ensure compliance with project deliverables
● Advocate for systemic and policy change, including access to community resources most needed by program participants: food, housing, health care, and more.