Refugee Employment Coordination Intern - Summer 2023

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 TANF Employment Services Program is designed to enable employable humanitarian immigrants receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds to achieve economic self-sufficiency through engagement in work participation activities. The program specializes in providing holistic services to large families.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Consolidate and organize client service delivery data into appropriate spreadsheets and databases. - Process and submit client time sheets and related documents to the local DSS to ensure compliance with their family’s TANF benefits case. - Conduct individual trainings with clients on understanding and maintaining compliance with public benefits systems in the United States. - Counsel TANF families on available services and activities that will reduce initial barriers outlined and help achieve their goals. - Assist in the coordination of Vocational English as a Second Language classes. - Support the development and administration of services within the Refugee Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Employment Services Program. - Facilitate and conduct client orientations at volunteer sites to train clients on conducting volunteer tasks with community partners. - Other duties as identified by program coordinator.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

- Intern will gain insight into IRC casework and workforce programs and the process of refugee and asylee integration within the United States. - Intern will learn to communicate effectively across cultures. - Intern will learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower clients. - Intern will learn about public benefits systems in the United States.

Qualifications

- Minimum commitment of three months, at least 24 hours per week and at least three full working days. 32-40 hours per week preferred. - Ability to work in-person preferred. - Driver's license with access to insured vehicle preferred, but not required. - Self-motivated and able to work independently. - Strong interest in refugee and asylee resettlement as well as in Gender Equality and Diversity work. - Excellent communication and writing skills, including cross-cultural communicative skills and discretion when addressing client issues. - Language skills in Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Spanish, Amharic, Tigrinya, Kinyarwanda, or Kiswahili are a plus.

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 in a hybrid work setting. Summer 2023 interns may work in-person, hybrid or fully remote.

This position is for summer 2023 requires a minimum commitment of 3 months, at least 24 hours per week and three full working days. 32-40 hours per week preferred. Ability to work in-person 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 about scholarship opportunities, contact your educational institution or the Internship 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.