Economic Empowerment 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 26 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 26 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 Economic Empowerment program assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient by providing workforce development services including early employment and career development support. Early employment places recently arrived refugees in their first job; career development assists employed clients in securing job upgrades that improve economic conditions and align with career history and/or career objectives. The intern will work closely with the Economic Empowerment team promoting client self-sufficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Conduct employment assessments, create resumes and cover letters, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews and complete family budgets with refugee job seekers. - Develop employer partnerships through research and targeted outreach. - Provide group and individual trainings aimed at workforce integration. - Manage distribution and tracking of in-kind donations to clients. - Other duties as identified by the Economic Empowerment team.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

- Intern will gain insight into refugee and asylee workforce integration programs. - Intern will learn to create effective resumes and cover letters. - Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients across cultures and with interpreters - Intern will learn effective outreach strategies for building strategic relationships.

Qualifications

- Minimum commitment of three months and at least 24 hours per week. 35 hours per week preferred. - Self-motivated and able to work independently. - Excellent communication and writing skills, including cross-cultural communication. - Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change. - Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues and economic empowerment. - Language skills in Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, Kinyarwanda or Arabic are a plus.

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 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; school credit may be received depending on your program and institution. 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.