If you are passionate about transforming communities with a mission-driven organization, then we have the opportunity for you!

Since 1939, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) has offered welcome and hope to refugees. LIRS has transformed lives with the support and hard work of people like you, to welcome the most vulnerable to the United States from sea to shining sea.

We help people seeking safety from persecution in their home countries and reunite families torn apart by conflict. We resettle refugees. We protect vulnerable children who arrive alone in the United States. We advocate for compassion and justice for all migrants.

Widely recognized for our expertise in implementing federal programs on behalf of refugees and migrants in the United States, conducting policy advocacy, and advancing the protection and rights of vulnerable migrants.

Headquartered in the beautiful Inner Harbor of downtown Baltimore we provide services nationwide through a network of staff and affiliates. Attracting and retaining the best talent is vital to our continued growth and we are proud to offer an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, and vision available on the first day of employment, professional development, tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off including 20 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave, 12 paid holidays PLUS the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and up to 12 weeks of fully paid FMLA leave, company 403(b) contribution of 3%, an additional 7% match, Family Building benefits for reproductive procedures, adoption/foster care assistance, and an annual wellness benefit that can be customized to support your personal needs including funding enrichment classes, gym memberships, and healthy eating plans (to name a few) all in an inclusive and progressive environment!

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is a champion for all uprooted people. Please join us as we make a difference in the lives of newcomers.

The Deputy Director for Children and Family Services (CFS) will work under the direction of the Director of CFS to provide strategic leadership and ensure the quality of social services provided to unaccompanied children and unaccompanied refugee minors. Reporting to the Director for CFS, the Deputy Director supports all aspects of the CFS Foster Care team. This is a position that requires senior-level leadership; the ability to manage a large and diverse team; a high degree of flexibility; excellent problem-solving skills; and in-depth knowledge of child welfare best practices for migrant and refugee children and families. This position can be remote with occasional trips to Baltimore as needed.

DUTIES

• Support the vision and priorities of the director and leadership team
• Lead, manage, and support the various programs according to funding agreements/ terms and conditions, and in accordance with LIRS standards and expectations.
• Ensure that programs are developing and implementing ongoing quality improvement measures, including monitoring activities where applicable, in order to deliver program outcomes that meet and exceed both the requirements of grants/ regulating bodies and identified internal benchmarks.
• Review and provide feedback on reports to funders and grant proposal submissions
• Provide oversight and coordination of all program monitoring reports.
• Review and edit quarterly/semi-annual program reports and support submissions.
• Monitor and manage relevant budgetary functions in collaboration with the Director; consult with related program staff to ensure adequate resources for the development, implementation, & evaluation of programs. Assist in preparing annual budgets.
• Continually engage partner agencies, through conference calls and site visits, to maintain strong working relationships and evaluate partner and community needs as well as capacity.
• Maintain close working relationships across LIRS to ensure effective communication of major Unit-wide developments, trends, activities, and challenges/ opportunities.
• Provide advocacy, both internally and externally, to support the needs of internal staff, affiliate partners, and/ or programmatic requirements, as needed.
• Actively work to develop a cohesive team and establish a supportive and productive work environment.
• Meet with federal partners, program affiliate partners, and other related stakeholders in person or via conference calls to discuss issues, share best practices, and collaborate on identifying solutions to challenges related to the long-term integration of newcomers.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in Social Work or a related field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of work experience in immigration, and social services programs with at least four (4) years of progressively responsible experience managing multiple programs, staff, and project and budget administration. The job description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.
• A minimum of four (4) years of experience and in-depth knowledge of unaccompanied children and unaccompanied refugee minors, domestic child welfare systems, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) systems, and related migrant and refugee child welfare programs, stakeholders, emerging trends, etc.
• Experience in administering and overseeing government grants, including proposal development, contract, and cooperative agreement compliance, reporting, and budget oversight.
• Experience in developing and providing support, technical assistance, and content-related training to local sub-grantees, service providers, and/or internal staff.
• Ability to evaluate data to identify trends and foresee programmatic implications.
• Proven ability to be flexible in a fast-paced working environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to interact well with all levels of various systems, stakeholders, and staff.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, knowledge of database management, and other computer applications.
• Deep commitment to LIRS' core values and ability to model those values in relationships with colleagues and partners.
• Ability and willingness to travel 25% of the time.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package in an innovative and rewarding work environment. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on your first day of employment, 403(b) with company contribution and match, 20 days of vacation per year, tuition reimbursement, professional development, and much more. Salaries are based on the latest market data and reflect the education, skills, and requirements for the role. Differentials may exist based on the region and language abilities.