Refugee Employment and Skill-Building 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 Refugee TANF Employment Program (RTEP) specializes in providing holistic services to humanitarian immigrant parents receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The goal of the program is threefold: 1) assist households in maintaining compliance with their TANF benefits, 2) reduce barriers to self-sufficiency and employment for both spouses if a two-parent household and 3) assist the employment ready spouse(s) in securing full-time employment. The intern will work directly under the supervision of one of the RTEP employment specialists.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Assess new clients through creating their individual initial employment plan and pre-employment budget. - Conduct bulk Zoom or in-person skill-building or information sessions, including on job readiness, interviews, digital literacy, public transport, childcare options, driver's licenses, GED courses and credential evaluation. - Assist clients with public benefit application follow-up, calls to external service providers and referrals to internal and external services. - Create individualized resumes and cover letters, assist with finding job leads and complete job applications with clients. - Strategically research potential employer partners and conduct outreach. - Regularly track service provision through electronic data entry and organize required client documentation. - Other duties assigned by RTEP team.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

- Intern will gain US resettlement agency experience in assessing new clients. - Intern will learn how to train and communicate with a diverse population, including how to effectively utilize interpreters. - Intern will acquire knowledge of programs and public benefits available to humanitarian immigrants. - Intern will learn how to effectively create resumes and job search for clients. - Intern will gain skills in strategic research and outreach strategies. - Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how capturing this data improves these services.

Qualifications

- Minimum commitment of three-months, 18 hours per week and two full working days per week. 35 hours per week highly preferred. - Strong digital literacy skills and the ability to learn new software and tasks. - Organized and attentive to detail. - Ability to work independently and multi-task. - Strong verbal and written communication skills. - Experience or interest in conducting trainings. - Interest in working with refugee and humanitarian populations. - Fluency in Dari, Pashto or Spanish is a plus. - Access to an insured vehicle preferred, but not required.

TO APPLY Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter and a 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 two full work days and 18 hours per week. 35 hours per week preferred. Preferred start date in August or early September 2022.

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.

*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.