Program Manager, Training and Technical Assistance

Overview:

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information, age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

The CWS local Offices work with refugees and immigrants to provide services to communities in need. We are a highly motivated, mission-driven team eager to create a welcoming place for all neighbors. CWS is a fun and supportive organization, with competitive salary and benefits.

 

About CWS:

Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children, implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.

Purpose:

The Children’s Services Department (CSD), which includes the Home Study (HS) and Post Release Services (PRS) Program, is driven by a mission that promotes the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children as they reunify with their families across the United States. As a department, our approach to care is through a child-centric, culturally competent, and trauma-responsive lens that empowers the children and families we walk alongside. To fulfill our mission, we employ shared guiding principles of integrity, compassion, cooperation, accountability and belonging. The Children’s Services Department launched inaugural programming to serve unaccompanied children in 2021. In 2026, in partnership with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), CWS provides home study and post release services throughout the United States.

 

The Program Manager, Training and Technical Assistance is responsible to coordinate staff training and technical assistance activities for the Home Study and Post Release Services Program for Unaccompanied Children. Key responsibilities include the ability to ensure compliance with donor and CWS requirements while ensuring an engaging, meaningful training experience for staff that is trauma-responsive, client centered, strengths based and incorporates the fundamentals of cultural humility. The Program Manager engages technical experts (internal and external) to offer specialized training that is engaging and incorporates the knowledge of a diverse team. The Program Manager also engages collaboratively with other HSPRS teams (program implementation, monitoring, case acceptance, and others) to ensure training is responsive to the needs, local context and feedback from the HSPRS network. The Program Manager leads the maintenance of the Learning Management System and engages internal and external subject matter experts on technical content.  

 

The Program Manager provides direction to the Training and Technical Assistance Program Officer to deliver and track needs and activities across the network. In addition to leading the creation and maintenance of service delivery training, training and technical assistance is provided for special projects (database changes, suitability determination, internal compliance activities, etc.) to all staff funded by the project and tailored to their needs and specific role. Key responsibilities include reviewing policy and project specifications and developing training material, sourcing training platforms and tools, and engaging facilitators and content contributors. The Program Manager is well-versed in social work best practice and service delivery using a trauma-informed and strength-based approach.  

 

Responsibilities:

Essential Duties:

 

Training and Technical Assistance:

• Lead the maintenance of network pre-service and annual training curriculums that appeals to a variety of learning styles and elevates the voices of those served, their needs, and staff experience in the local context.
• Lead the tailoring of trainings and training tracks to the role and requirements of individuals funded by the HSPRS budget.
• Works closely and collaboratively with the Program Implementation team to disseminate information and provide training on updated policies to all staff in a timely manner.
• Engage Program Implementation and other team members to deliver pre-service, annual renewal and ongoing training curriculums through recorded webinars, e-modules, live presentations, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Establish annual training goals and maintain the training and technical assistance calendar and ensures it meets performance objectives.
• Coordinate with Deputy Director of M & E, Deputy Director of Program Implementation and Director of HSPRS to address deficiencies in service provision identified through monitoring or other activities.
• Engage with other teams outside CSD (Human Resources, Security, Communications, etc.) to prepare and support staff in special projects and ensure donor compliance.  
• Maintains tracking system and documents network participation/completion of pre-service, annual renewal and other required and optional training. 
• Create a process to evaluate learning for trainings provided.
• Assist with cross-training with other CWS staff and departments that interact with HSPRS.
• Leads planning for the network conference and supports planning of other in-person or virtual gatherings.
• Ensure compliance with ORR and CWS Policies and Procedures.
• Through research, identifies learning tools and platforms to enhance and streamline the work of the direct service staff.
• Provides direction and oversight of the use of CWS Home and the Teams resource channel and ensures optimal utilization by the network.
• Lead the training and technical assistant program design process and write key sections of proposals and reports.

People Management:

• Recruit and onboard the Training and Technical Assistance Officer.
• Delegates tasks to the Training and Technical Assistance Officer.
• Provides direct oversight of the Training and Technical Assistance Officer to include weekly supervision and more frequent contact, as needed.
• Coordinates the activities of the Training and Technical Assistance Officer to ensure compliance with and completion of the HSPRS learning and training goals.
• Conduct performance management activities for direct reports.
• Support the Training and Technical Assistance Officer in achieving professional development goals.
• Fosters a culture of collaboration and high team morale.

Other:

• Works closely with HR partner to ensure proof of required training is documented in the personnel file.
• Supports community engagement activities through content creation, curriculum review and facilitation of community / stakeholder facing training activities related to the needs of UAC and services provided by CWS.
• Identifies gaps in knowledge and areas of strengths of team members and proactively supports additional training and mutual sharing of knowledge. 

Qualifications:

Experience:

• Specialized training in adult education preferred
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working in a social service setting, preferably with unaccompanied children
• A minimum of 3 years' training experience required
• A minimum of 2 years’ data management required
• A minimum of 2 years’ supervisory experience required

Skills:

• Proficient in e-learning approaches
• Superior written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to track and analyze large data sets and present data in a coherent way with timeliness and accuracy
• Proficient in MS Office, client databases, and learning platforms
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally, and linguistically appropriate approach to client care
• Analyzes policies or project specifications, identifies key information, and translates to meaningful training curriculum for staff in a variety of roles
• High level of flexibility, emotional maturity, and resilience
• Engages staff through a variety of platforms in a primarily remote/hybrid work environment
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals and communication styles in a geographically dispersed team
• Schedule and manage workloads to meet deadlines
• Adapts quickly to new technology and supports staff through the same

 

Education & Certifications:

 

• Master’s degree in social work or related field is highly preferred, bachelor’s degree considered with extensive experience demonstrated in the areas above
• Formal training in Excel, or similar platform, preferred
• Social work license highly preferred

Special Requirements:

 

• Able to sit for an extended period.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Remote position must have access to reliable internet and appropriate workspace.
• Standard work hours with occasional evening or weekend assignment
• Successfully pass SEA, FBI, and Child Abuse and Neglect Checks and federal Suitability Determination by third party vendor (not affiliated with CWS).
• Reasonable proximity to airport for occasional travel required (network conference, program retreat, in-person training, etc.)

Benefits : CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes: ·         403 (b) Retirement Plan ·         Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance ·         Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days Off after 2 Years) ·         14 Official Holidays ·         12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly) ·         Life Insurance and AD&D ·         Long Term and Short-Term Disability ·         Employee Assistance Program (EAP) ·         Health Savings Account ·         Flexible Spending Accounts ·         Internet Reimbursement