Community Engagement Intern - Spring 2024

Job Description

BACKGROUND

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 28 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

SCOPE OF WORK

The community engagement team is responsible for supporting the needs of IRC clients and staff and educating the community about the work the IRC does supporting refugees and immigrants. The community engagement intern will play a significant role in supporting the family mentor program, which helps newly arrived refugees and asylees feel more comfortable in the United States by connecting them to mentors in the local community. Mentors help mentees practice English, socialize with others, and integrate into the community through weekly visits. The Family Mentor team provides support for mentors and mentees during their six month commitment and monitors the mentee’s improvement throughout the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Administer surveys to track mentee’s progress during the mentorship. - Conduct intake interviews and create profiles used for matching mentors with mentees. - Facilitate introductory meetings between mentors and mentees to discuss goals and objectives. - Provide mentors resources on upcoming events and suggested activities, propose new ideas for mentor-mentee engagement. - Support community engagement initiatives including speaking engagements, needs assessments, communications, and events.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

- Intern will acquire detailed knowledge of programs available for refugees and asylees during their resettlement period. - Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients across cultures. - Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how to capture data to improve services.

Qualifications

- Minimum commitment of four months and at least 24 hours per week. 35 hours preferred. Availability for some weeknights and weekends required. - Ability to work in-person required. - Access to a personal vehicle required. - Passionate about immigration, refugees and serving others. - Ability to work independently and under pressure in a fast-paced environment. - Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects. - Excellent oral and written communication skills.

TO APPLY

Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter and list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2023.

This position is for spring 2024 and requires a minimum commitment of 4 months and 24 hours per week. 35 hours per week preferred. Availability for some weeknights and weekends required. Ability to work in-person preferred.

Spring 2024 Interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on January 22nd, 2024 from 9:15AM-2:00PM.

We currently offer internships during the following semesters: Spring: January – May Summer: May – August Fall: September – December Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date.

Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Spring 2024 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel. For information on scholarship opportunities, contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring intern coordinator at [email protected].

*Candidates applying who are not currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or are outside 12 months of their graduation are welcome to apply. These candidates will be processed as volunteers.

To protect our clients, the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients, and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients. Instructions will be provided after you have been selected to intern or volunteer.

IRC leading the way from harm to home.

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.

If you need assistance in the application or hiring process to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Talent Acquisitions at [email protected]. As required by law, the IRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a known disability.