About this opportunity
Opportunity Overview
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Germany is hiring a Referent*in (d/w/m) for its "PRIMA-Lab" project in Güstrow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with work covering the Rostock district and city. The position starts no earlier than September 15, 2026, and is initially limited until December 31, 2028. It is preferably full-time at 40 hours per week. The starting salary is 42,706 euros gross per year, with annual adjustments. PRIMA-Lab supports people with refugee and migration backgrounds who have visible or invisible disabilities, helping them enter the German labor market. The project is funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+). IRC implements it together with a partner organization in Güstrow and the Rostock area. The role involves running workshops, advising participants, building networks with employers, and developing accessible learning materials. The IRC was founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein and responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises. It operates in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities, helping people affected by conflict, disaster, and displacement restore health, safety, education, and economic wellbeing. IRC Germany was established in 2016 and works both globally and across Germany in education, employment and orientation, protection, legal counseling, and participation. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is one of Germany's more rural states, with a lower cost of living than cities like Berlin or Munich. Rostock is a port city on the Baltic Sea with a university and a growing tech scene. Güstrow is a smaller town about 40 kilometers south of Rostock. The work culture in German NGOs tends to be structured and process-oriented, with a strong emphasis on documentation and compliance. International applicants will need a valid work visa, and German language skills at C1 level are required for this role.
Responsibilities
- Plan and run workshops that build psychosocial, social, and everyday practical skills, and strengthen participants' personal confidence.
- Develop and deliver training, information, and awareness formats for professionals, employers, partner organizations, and migrant community groups.
- Help create and provide accessible, plain-language learning, qualification, and empowerment materials for people with refugee backgrounds and disabilities, in digital, in-person, and self-learning formats.
- Recruit participants and provide individual counseling, coaching, and social-pedagogical support focused on labor market entry, career orientation, and strengths-based skills analysis.
- Support transitions into training and employment through internships, company visits, job shadowing, and building accessible pathways to support services.
- Build and maintain networks with employers, migrant communities, project partners, and other relevant actors to promote inclusive employment and participation opportunities.
- Coordinate program activities, contribute to evaluation and impact analysis, and help develop inclusive concepts and frameworks.
Benefits
- Starting salary of 42,706 euros gross per year with annual salary adjustments.
- 30 days of annual leave plus generous special leave arrangements.
- Flexible working hours and home office options.
- Gym membership, company pension plan, shopping vouchers, childcare cost subsidy, job bike leasing, and a subsidy for the Deutschlandticket.
- Access to timely and confidential psychological support if needed.
- Training and development opportunities, including free language courses.
- Assistance services for people with disabilities if needed.
Requirements & Qualifications
- Completed degree or equivalent qualification in education, social pedagogy, adult education, social work, or psychology.
- At least two years of experience advising and supporting job seekers, especially in labor market integration of people with migration backgrounds and/or people with visible or invisible disabilities.
- Experience leading training courses and workshops.
- Solid knowledge of the local labor market, labor law provisions such as SGB II, application procedures, and recruiting methods.
- Knowledge of technical language materials (IFSL materials) is an advantage.
- An existing network with relevant actors in inclusion/migration and volunteers is an advantage.
- Strong teamwork skills, organizational abilities, and willingness to collaborate and build networks.
- German at C1 level and English at B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Additional languages spoken by the target group, such as Ukrainian, Arabic, or Dari, are an advantage.
- Willingness to travel regularly, about 10% of working time.
How to Apply
- Prepare your application with a CV and, if available, three references or work certificates.
- Send your application through the IRC online portal. There is no application deadline; the position is to be filled as soon as possible and the posting remains open until filled.
- Click the Apply button below to submit your application.
Official Application Strategy & Insights
Selection Committee Priorities
- •Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in to International Rescue Committee (IRC)'s strategic goals.
- •Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
- •Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.
Required Document Verification
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