Program Officer, Curriculum Designer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

End Date: June 30, 2027

**This position is contingent on receipt of funding.

 Job Overview/Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the leading providers of high-quality programming for refugees resettling to the United States. The IRC is committed to developing innovative programs that respond to the refugees’ unique strengths and needs, using our learning and experience to shape policy and practice, and highlighting and promoting best practices in refugee services provision. 

The IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration department’s Learning team is seeking a Program Officer, Curriculum Design to lead the development, refinement, and rollout of curricula across multiple program areas. The Program Officer will develop curricula for three programs serving distinct refugee populations, including Services for Older Refugees (SOR), Refugee School Impact (RSI), and Youth Mentorship (YM). 

The Program Officer will conduct rapid needs assessments and ensure that all curricular products are culturally responsive and aligned with evidence-based practices for refugees and newcomers. They will be responsible for producing and maintaining high-quality content by collaborating with subject matter experts and designing effective learning resources. This role will ensure that all learning materials meet high standards of design, continuity, accuracy, and accessibility.

This position requires experience in implementing curriculum that supports refugee youth or older refugee adults, deep experience in instructional design and curriculum writing, and experience working with subject matter experts and external stakeholders. 

Major Responsibilities: 

• Design, adapt, and implement culturally responsive, trauma-informed curricula for SOR, RSI, and YM programs.
• Lead and analyze rapid needs assessment, including desk review of existing curricula, to identify strengths and gaps.
• Develop learning materials (curriculum modules, facilitation guides, etc.) that address literacy, life skills, social-emotional learning, and school readiness, as relevant.
• Integrate best practices in adult learning and instructional design; collaborate with graphic designer to ensure curricula are accessible and visually appealing.
• Ensure curricula align with program goals, funder requirements, and community needs.
• Document and report on curriculum development process.

Other duties as assigned

Experience, Qualifications and Skills: 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, instructional design, curriculum design, social sciences, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in curriculum development, instructional design, youth development, adult education, or related program areas.
• Proficiency with design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) and accessible formatting practices. Applications should include relevant samples of curricular design portfolio work.
• Demonstrated experience creating culturally relevant, trauma-informed, and learner-centered educational materials.
• Familiarity with refugee resettlement, immigrant communities, or cross-cultural education.
• Strong understanding of social-emotional learning frameworks, particularly SEAD or similar models.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with fluency in English.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, accessible content.
• Self-starter with ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a part of a team.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing deadlines.

Language Skills: Fluent in written and spoken English.

Working Environment: This position is a remote working environment, with 1-3 required domestic travel annually.

Compensation: (Pay Rate: $70,000 - $80,000/yr). Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements. 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Compensation: Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget.  Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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