This is open to Internal IRC candidates only.
BACKGROUND
Over the past 90 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster.
The IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and, most crucially, accountability to those we serve. The IRC is a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable.
IRC UK
IRC UK is part of the IRC global network, which has its global headquarters in New York. Our team in the UK works to raise profile, deliver policy and practice change, and increase funding to help restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. The IRC UK has been delivering Resettlement Asylum and Integration (RAI) programme in the UK since 2024, working in partnership with local councils, to provide integration support to resettled refugees in Southeast England and now has the opportunity to support Resettled Refugees in Hampshire.
In Europe, the IRC also has offices in Berlin, Bonn, Brussels, Geneva and Stockholm.
The Purpose of the Role
To ensure newly arrived refugees and other forced-migrant adults in Hampshire gain rapid, sustained access to high-quality English-language and vocational English provision. The Coordinator will map county-wide services, carry out English-language assessments, co-create Individual Learning Plans (ILPs), deliver tailored ESOL/VESOL classes, and quality-assure partner provision, so that clients progress in line with SMART, strengths-based goals and the Service Specification.
Key Working Relationships:
The position reports to the Project Manager. The ESOL coordinator also works closely with RAI UK Monitoring Evaluation and Learning and Program Officers and receives technical guidance from RAI Education technical units and the RAI UK Education team, as well as the Contract Management team.
Key Accountabilities
Area of Work
Main Duties
Service mapping & partnership management (25 %)
• Produce and maintain a live directory of ESOL, VESOL and adult-learning providers across Hampshire, including entry criteria, start dates and waiting-list status.
• Liaise with delivery partners such as the Refugee Resettlement Network (RRN), colleges, NGOs and community groups to negotiate places and advocate for mainstream access.
• Represent IRC at county ESOL forums and Communities of Practice; share best practice on trauma-informed, digitally inclusive delivery.
Client assessment, ILPs & referrals (25 %)
• Conduct English Language Capability Assessments (initial and follow-up) using approved diagnostics.
• Collaborate with caseworkers and Child & Youth Education Officers to draft Individual Learning Plans with clear, achievable SMART targets.
• Issue referral letters and enrolment paperwork; track proof of enrolment and attendance.
Design & direct delivery of ESOL/VESOL (30 %)
• Develop and teach blended ESOL and Vocational ESOL courses, conversation clubs and English orientation sessions (e.g., IRC’s Orientation for Newcomers).
• Embed digital-literacy, safeguarding and trauma-informed approaches in all sessions.
• Recruit, brief and mentor volunteer or sessional tutors; observe lessons and provide feedback to partner organisations.
Quality assurance & data management (10 %)
• Use IRC templates to monitor attendance, progression and learner feedback; flag drop-outs and follow up with providers.
• Compile monthly KPI reports in coordination with project manager and contribute to narrative progress updates.
• Ensure full compliance with UK-GDPR and safeguarding policies.
Capacity-building & advocacy (10 %)
• Deliver short workshops for caseworkers on ESOL pathways and documentation requirements.
Work with project partners to review curricula and observe delivery to provide quality assurance of paid partner delivery, deliver technical assistance as needed
• Contribute evidence to national campaigns (e.g., Refugee Action’s “Let Refugees Learn”) to improve ESOL funding and accessibility.
Percentages indicate average time allocation and may fluctuate with programme needs.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential:
• Progressively responsible relevant work experience, esp. in the implementation of ESOL projects in support of asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants.
• Solid understanding of the current situation regarding ESOL provision in England.*
• At least two years’ experience delivering adult ESOL programmes, preferably for refugees or asylum seekers.*
• Demonstrated ability to design curricula and assess learners, producing ILPs aligned to CEFR.*
• Strong partnership-building skills and record of negotiating learner places with external providers.*
• Excellent data-management skills; proficiency in MS Office/365 and video-conferencing tools.
• Willingness to travel across Hampshire (own car or good access to public transport).
· Experience delivering ESOL/VESOL linked to employability outcomes.*
· Knowledge of Hampshire education landscape and RRN structures.
· Trainer experience in trauma-informed or Healing Classrooms/Healing Spaces approaches
You must have the right to work in the UK.
This is a fixedterm until Nov 2028.
The application deadline for this role is June 25 but interviews will start to take place before the deadline date.
Recruitment Process
The process for this role will be as follows
·
· First round panel interview online
Standard Responsibilities
Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC team.
Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies
Standard Job Requirements
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
Related standard content:
IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.
UK: Narrowing the Gender Gap: The IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including flexible hours (when possible), enhanced maternity/adoption leave and pay and gender-sensitive security protocols.
IRC UK strives to be an equal opportunities employer. IRC UK is committed to equality of opportunity and to non-discrimination for all job applicants and employees, and we seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.
IRC UK welcomes applications from all candidates, including underrepresented groups and refugees who have the right to work in the UK.
IRC UK will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable adjustments to participate in the job application and/or interview process, and for essential job functions if appointed to a role. Please contact us if you may need such adjustments.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the online recruitment process, please contact the IRC UK HR team at applications@rescue-uk.org
#LI-DNI
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.