Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Lending Manager of the HIAS Economic Advancement Fund, the Loan Officer plays a critical role in empowering refugee entrepreneurs by providing them with tailored financing solutions, training and technical assistance to help launch, stabilize, and grow their businesses. This involves proactively identifying new clients, building trust-based relationships with refugee business owners, understanding their unique financial and operational challenges, and delivering personalized guidance throughout the lending process. The Loan Officer conducts in-depth assessments of applicants’ financial needs, evaluates business viability, and structures loans that balance accessibility with sound risk management practices. Operating in a virtual capacity across multiple geographic markets, the Loan Officer ensures that refugee entrepreneurs, regardless of location, have equitable access to financial resources and guidance they need to succeed.

HIAS Economic Advancement Fund (EAF) is a non-profit organization and emerging CDFI loan fund that provides refugees and other forcibly displaced entrepreneurs access to capital so they can launch and grow their businesses. EAF works alongside HIAS resettlement partners that are local Jewish and secular service agencies working on the ground in communities across the country to help refugees settle and integrate into their new communities. Our partners are the local presence in each community we serve, providing entrepreneurial refugees business technical assistance, financial education and assistance accessing capital to launch or grow their businesses through EAF.

EAF was founded in 2022 by HIAS, the Jewish humanitarian organization that provides critical services to refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people around the world. What began as a microenterprise development program of HIAS in 2017 serving two geographic markets, has since developed into an emerging CDFI serving entrepreneurial refugees in 14 U.S. cities who would otherwise have difficulty obtaining loan capital from banks and other conventional lenders. While deeply affiliated with HIAS, EAF is a relatively new organization in a rapid growth trajectory, giving its staff members the opportunity to be part of the foundational development of EAF, including developing systems, processes, and new forms of support for refugee owned businesses.

Note, this is a temporary position that starts ASAP and ends December 31, 2026, with possible extension. The salary range for this position is $60,000.00-73,000.00.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Works closely with HIAS affiliate partners and other refugee-serving organizations to identify and engage prospective clients across multiple geographic markets virtually.
• Assists clients in navigating digital tools and platforms to access services, complete loan applications, and participate in training sessions.
• Conducts comprehensive intake assessments to understand clients’ business needs, growth goals, and financing requirements, tailoring support to each entrepreneur’s unique circumstances.
• Facilitates one-on-one and group virtual training sessions on key topics such as financial literacy, business planning, marketing strategies and navigating business challenges.
• Provides individualized guidance to business startups, helping them create realistic business plans, develop detailed budgets, and forecast cash flow.
• Assists clients in preparing and reviewing loan applications, focusing on applicants with non-traditional credit profiles.
• Organizes and reviews loan application materials to ensure accuracy and completeness, identifying missing documentation and proactively requesting additional information as needed.
• Builds trust and maintains strong relationships with refugee entrepreneurs through culturally sensitive communication.
• Maintains consistent communication with clients, addressing inquiries promptly, providing guidance, and monitoring their progress toward business milestones.
• Tracks technical assistance activities and client outcomes using internal databases, ensuring data integrity for reporting and program evaluation.
• Develops and maintains a robust referral network of business-support organizations within each geographic market to enhance services and resources for clients.
• Identifies at-risk loans early and collaborate with clients to develop effective remediation strategies.
• Seeks out and participates in training programs appropriate to EAF’s work as an emerging CDFI and non-profit lender.
• Supports additional initiatives, projects, and responsibilities as directed by the Lending Manager or organizational leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Undergraduate degree in business administration, finance, economics, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 2-3 years of experience in small business lending, community development, or financial services, ideally with a CDFI or nonprofit organization.
• Demonstrated understanding of U.S. business climate, business systems and business development, with experience in business counseling strongly desirable.
• Experience working with underserved populations, particularly refugees or immigrant communities, is highly preferred.
• Knowledge of business development resources and challenges faced by small business owners, particularly those in refugee and immigrant communities.
• English fluency required; fluency in one or more languages spoken by refugee communities (e.g., Spanish, Ukrainian, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, or others) is desirable.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to work independently in a virtual environment while maintaining close communication with the team.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work across different time zones and respond to the evolving needs of refugee business owners.
• Proficiency in virtual communication tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) and outcomes tracking software.
• A commitment to EAF’s mission and its impact on its community.
• Travel, to include travel to insecure operating environments, may be required.

HIRING PROCESS:

We are committed to a fair and respectful hiring process, and we do our absolute best to respond to every applicant. We prioritize communication and transparency with all candidates, even those who are not moving forward. Here’s a snapshot of our hiring process:

Step 1: Submit your application!

Step 2: Phone screen with a HIAS recruiter.

Step 3: Video interview with the hiring manager.

Step 4: Video interview with a panel of HIAS employees.

Step 5: In-person interview with the hiring manager.

Step 6: Online reference check with SkillSurvey.

Step 7: Offer and background check with Shield Screening or HireRight.

Step 8: Start your professional journey with HIAS!

Note: Some of our hiring processes may vary, and not all candidates will advance to each step.

ABOUT US:

Over one hundred years ago, the Jewish community founded HIAS (originally the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) in New York City, the immigrant gateway to America. Supporting Jews fleeing persecution and poverty in Eastern Europe, our founders were guided by the traditions, texts and history of the Jewish people—a history of oppression, displacement and diaspora. HIAS has since helped generations of Jews facing violence because of who they were, and HIAS remains committed to helping Jewish refugees anywhere in the world. Today, our clients at HIAS come from diverse faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds, as do our staff. We bring our experience, history and values to our work across five continents, ensuring that refugees today receive the vital services and opportunities they need to thrive.

HIAS is a learning community, committed to diversity and inclusion. We do our work with integrity, accountability, transparency and a commitment to the highest ethical standards. We seek employees from diverse backgrounds and life experiences to join our teams located in the United States and across the globe. People who identify as BIPOC, people with disabilities, people from the LGBTQ+ community and people with lived experiences of forced displacement or immigration are all encouraged to apply. We are committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects our vision, mission and values.

VISION:

HIAS stands for a world in which refugees find welcome, safety and opportunity.

MISSION:

Drawing on our Jewish values and history, HIAS provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives.

VALUES:

Welcome • Acogimiento • Hospitalité • Hachnasat Orchim

We Welcome the Stranger

Justice • Justicia • Justice • Tzedek

We Pursue Justice

Empathy • Empatía • Empathie • Chesed

We Approach our Clients with Empathy

Partnership • Compañerismo • Coopération • Chevruta

We Believe in Changing the World throughPartnership

Courage • Coraje • Courage • Ometz

We Act with Courage to Build a Better World

Resilience • Resiliencia • Résilience • Ruach

We Adapt and Thrive, Continuously Demonstrating ourResilience

DIVERSITY:

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, ancestry, citizenship status, religious creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, registered domestic partner or civil union status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, military status, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We strongly encourage applicants of diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to apply even if you do not meet all required qualifications but have other qualifications relevant to the role that would make you a great fit for this role with HIAS!

SAFEGUARDING:

HIAS is committed to the protection of children, vulnerable adults and any other person from any harm caused directly or indirectly due to their coming into contact with HIAS. We will not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse or any form of child abuse or neglect by our staff or associated personnel. Any candidate offered a job with HIAS will be expected to sign and adhere to HIAS’ Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records. HIAS also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. Likewise, HIAS will share this information when other organizations inquire about current and former HIAS staff as part of their recruitment process. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

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