Refugee Barrier Reduction Intern - Summer 2025

International Rescue Committee
United States, Maryland, Silver Spring
8737 Colesville Road (Show on map)
Mar 27, 2025
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. 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:IRC programming assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient and supports acclimatization within the United States by providing access to casework services. This role will support the IRC's economic empowerment program in effectively reducing the barriers of humanitarian clientsto achieve self-sufficiency in the United States. RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide clients with support in the completion and submission of various applications to assist the reduction of barriers to employment in the United States (childcare voucher applications, SafeLink phone applications, etc.). Conduct training on the topics of public transportation, childcare options, digital literacy, and understanding public benefits to reduce barriers to employment. Participate in supporting clients in Job Application Hours to understand the process of applying for jobs in the United States and submit needed employment applications to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Coordinate with economic empowerment service teams to support clients over the course of their service provision at the IRC in issues of barrier reduction. Engage respectfully with all clients, staff and partners. Facilitate and conduct client outings (contingent upon office status) to financial institutions, libraries and various other venues to support client engagement with needed resources. Other duties as identified by RTCP Program Coordinator. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Intern will gain insights into IRC casework and workforce programs and the process of refugee and asylee integration within the United States. Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients in a global environment and with using interpreters. Intern will learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower adults. Minimum Qualifications: Self-motivated and able to work independently Excellent communication and writing skills Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues Language skills in Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, French, Kinyarwanda or Swahili are a plus Preference to current students and recent graduates* TO APPLY ClickApply Nowat the top of this page. Please attacha resume, cover letter and list of (at least) three references to your application.The deadline to apply isMay 23rd, 2025. This position is for Summer 2025 and requires a minimum commitment of 3 months and at least 15-30 hours per week. Ability to work at least one day in-person required. Summer 2025 Interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on June 9th, 2025 from 9:15AM-3:30PM. We currently offer internships during the following semesters: Spring: January - May Summer: June- 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. Summer 2025 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 Community Engagement Specialist at Raina.Walker@Rescue.org. *Candidates applying who are not currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or are outside 12 months of their graduation 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 IRC.Recruitment@rescue.org. As required by law, the IRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a known disability. Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.