Cultural Orientation Intern - Fall 2022

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 24 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 24 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 Cultural Orientation program provides instruction to newly arrived refugees on a variety of important topics, such as US laws, financial literacy, public transportation, personal safety, housing issues, employment, immigration, cultural adjustment, and the US healthcare system. Cultural Orientation is offered in a classroom or in-home setting and follows an interactive, participant-centered curriculum. All sessions are conducted in participants’ native languages through the use of in-person interpreters. This intern position will also support the Nauru and Papua New Guinea Program (NRPP).

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Lead Cultural Orientation sessions in a classroom or in-home setting. - Update the Cultural Orientation curriculum and develop differentiated lessons for clients with varying experiences and educational backgrounds. - Assist with program logistics, such as setting up the classroom, preparing materials, contacting participants, maintaining records, and administering assessments. - Develop resettlement and/or self-sufficiency plans and timelines for each client and identify and connect clients with resources in the community to offer support, ease the transition and facilitate successful integration.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

- Intern will gain experience with teaching, curriculum development, program administration, and assessment. - Intern will build public speaking skills, learn to work with an interpreter, and increase inter-cultural competence. - Intern will learn about the US refugee resettlement process and educational methods that promote community integration and self-sufficiency.

Qualifications

- Minimum commitment of 3 months and at least 24 hours per week. 35 hours per week preferred. - Demonstrated interest in education, ideally in a cross-cultural context. - Passionate about immigration, refugees and serving others. - Flexibility, organization, and attention to detail. - Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills. - Ability to work independently and as a member of a team. - Language ability in Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashto and/or Spanish is preferred.

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. This position is filled on a rolling basis.

IRC Silver Spring is operating remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fall 2022 interns may start remotely, and the situation will be reevaluated as things evolve.

This position is for fall 2022 and requires a minimum commitment of 3 months and at least 24 hours per week. 35 hours per week preferred.

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: This is an unpaid internship; Check with your educational institution to determine if this internship is eligible for academic credit. 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.