Are you looking for a mission-driven non-profit where your skills can help people in need around the world? At the Jewish United Fund (JUF), we take pride in our mission and in having a work culture that fosters a sense of belonging and feels rewarding, supportive, and inclusive. We have a hybrid schedule and offer generous benefits including a 401(k) match, up to 22 days of paid time off (starting with 15), up to 11 sick days (starting with 7), and up to 21 paid holidays. The salary range for this role is $70,000-$80,000.

What you’ll be responsible for

You will lead efforts to strategically identify and support refugee resettlement with a specific focus on outreach and affordable housing solutions for refugee populations in Illinois. You will make recommendations to the state and resettlement agencies about how to address refugee housing needs. This is a new position that will require significant knowledge about affordable housing, experience or willingness to learn about refugee resettlement, and a self-starter who can successfully and independently operate in a complex environment.

What you’ll be doing:

1. Serve as a focal point for coordination and collaboration expanding affordable housing solutions for refugees in IL including:

• • Connect refugee-serving organizations with affordable housing networks/coalitions and promote refugee-agency staff participation.
  • Support refugee inclusion in housing related initiatives for mainstream populations.
  • Facilitate working groups as needed to share ideas and information.
  • Provide local/state specific technical assistance and resources to build resettlement staff knowledge of relevant programs and/or opportunities.
  • Engage with fair housing consultancies, state and local housing agencies, public housing authorities, and other stakeholders to increase housing options and support for refugees.

2. Explore, evaluate, and recommend to the state and larger resettlement community new ideas for refugees to secure affordable housing.

• Work in partnership with local refugee resettlement agencies to understand refugees’ housing needs and challenges; use this knowledge to inform resettlement site expansion and other state strategies.
• Develop and maintain a thorough knowledge of rules and regulations related to both refugee housing requirements per the Department of State Reception and Placement Program as well as state, city, and local housing ordinances and affordable housing program guidelines, including U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD).
  • Identify innovative housing models and partnerships to secure affordable housing.
  • Participate in national and local workgroups to brainstorm solutions and learn about effective, diverse strategies to increase refugee housing options.
  • Identify and assess possible opportunities to access new funding streams (including but not limited to city, state, federal, or private resources).
  • If identified and approved, provide limited support to the implementation of pilot programs in the Chicago metropolitan area and/or the larger state of Illinois.

3. Conduct community outreach and education to identify and increase options for refugees’ housing and integration efforts.

• Identify mayors and municipalities who may be supportive of resettlement efforts and support relationship-building between select individuals and resettlement agencies.
• In conjunction with resettlement agencies coordinate conversations to raise awareness about refugee resettlement with new stakeholders.

4. Other

• Actively pursue the development of professional competencies related to job role performance through research, supervision, in-service training and attendance at conferences and workshops

What you need to succeed:

• REQUIRED:
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field.
  • 5 years of progressive experience in affordable housing related spaces.
  • Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • A proactive approach to tackling difficult and complex issues.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• PREFERRED:
  • Master’s degree in social work or another social service field.
  • Experience with refugee resettlement.

What you’ll love about us:

At JUF, you can be part of one of the largest non-profit social welfare institutions in Illinois. We provide food, refuge, healthcare, education, emergency assistance, and essential services to 500,000 Chicagoans of all faiths and millions of Jews around the world. We offer medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with base contribution and match, additional health and wellness benefits, financial benefits, professional training, tuition reimbursement, paid family leave, and much more. We have a flexible schedule with core hours and the ability to work from home / remote a few days per week (for most positions) on a hybrid basis.