Small Business Development Intern

SCOPE OF WORK: The Small business Development Intern will support the continued development of the IRC in Phoenix’s Small Business Development Program with a strong focus on supporting the Small Business Administration Community Navigator Program. The Microenterprise Development Program is a federally funded program, which focuses on providing targeted outreach for small businesses in underserved communities. They provide assistance during economic recovery, including: financial assistance and access to capital, contracting and procurement, marketing, operations, business development, and exporting industry-specific training.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Assist in the outreach and recruitment of program participants; screen and assess interested small business owners for program eligibility and participation.

• Assist with identifying potential partners and resources available to program participants.

• Ensure that information required for program eligibility and reporting purposes is collected and accurate records are maintained, including case files and client data entry across multiple databases.

• Ensure necessary steps are taken to obtain relevant data in a timely fashion; follow-up with all clients and partners regularly and record all contacts with case notes.

• Provide one-on-one business counseling and management assistance to new and existing refugee and Low or Moderate (LMI) Income owned businesses in all areas of business start-up and expansion.

• Assist entrepreneurs to become ready for business financing through preparation of loan applications, business plans, and financial statements.

• Assist in the planning and coordination of training activities and special events.

• Develop outreach materials and assist with communication to partners.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 

• Learn about different local business community resources.

• Work with the greater business community.

• Learn how to plan business workshops. 

• Help assist business counselors in creating new marketing material for business owners.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Interest in Business Administration, Finances, Public Administration, or related field. 

• Comfortable with speaking in front of others

• Prior experience working with immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs is strongly desired; experience in the non-profit sector strongly preferred;

• Excellent organizational, record keeping, and analytical skills;

• Strong written and verbal communication skills;

• Proven ability to conduct affective instructional sessions toentrepreneurs;

• Ability to work independently, be a self-starter and maintain responsibility for multiple tasks.

• Excellent computer skills, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and the ability to learn the custom computer programs used for the program.

• Familiar with assessing business training needs and analyzing business-related materials, including financial reports, business and marketing plans as well as conduct market research

Note: This is an unpaid internship. Intern must commit to at least 15 hours per week for a 3-month minimum. Internship hours are completed between Monday and Friday from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM

This position reports to the MED Supervisor

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 or disability.