Food and Agriculture Intern (UNPAID)

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.

The International Rescue Committee’s New Roots program helps refugees become food secure and contribute to their new homes and communities. Since 2008, New Roots has helped new Americans to navigate their food resources, facilitated low-income families to enter urban agriculture, developed local food systems and community green space infrastructure, and provided a platform for youth and adults to build job and life skills.

The New Roots program has two sites - a ½ acre lot in the South Bronx and two 2,500 square foot lots in Woodside, Queens. These urban oases are home to native plants, pollinators, traditional crops from around the world, fruit trees, community garden beds, and a bountiful harvest. New Roots ensures that individuals and families have long-term access to the freshest, most nutritious food through farmers’ market visits, healthy cooking demonstrations, and fresh food vouchers – as well as a safe space to grow food and share traditions. These multi-use educational and production farms serve families, community members, and students from neighborhood schools.

SCOPE OF WORK: The IRC in New York’s food and agriculture program focuses on increasing community involvement in their local food systems, through hands-on training and food accessibility programming. Food and agriculture programming takes place at the two urban farms in the South Bronx and Woodside, Queens. The New Roots Intern will support the IRC Food and Agriculture Coordinator and Food and Agriculture Assistants in managing this programming.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The New Roots farm and garden close December 1st of each year and reopen on the first day of spring. In the off-season, New Roots seek intern or volunteer support in one or more of the following areas:

Data Collection and Management

• Support with performing batch data uploads from Excel into IRC’s database ETO (Efforts to Outcomes)
• Perform data entry into ETO from hard copy records from on site (e.g. volunteer hours from sign in sheets)
• Perform quality assurance checks on data in the system
• Manage New Roots’ annual client and community member survey

Media and Community Engagement

• Create, curate, & facilitate a high impact, multi-platform communications strategy to expand communications, partnerships, education, outreach & relationships for New Roots
• Create and edit flyers, brochures, and other media
• Create content to post on New Roots’ social media accounts and support in managing the accounts and engagement
• Monitor and support each sites’ WhatsApp groups
• Engage with community partners and stakeholders to raise awareness for New Roots and foster positive relationships with the community
• Translate or coordinate translation of content

General Administration

• Support with developing and organizing workshops, presentations, community, and fundraising events
• Support in managing volunteers, land stewards, and workdays with corporate volunteer groups and/or sister urban agriculture partner organizations
• Support with planning the next season’s farmer’s market and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) initiatives
• Contribute to narrative grant reports to funders
• Other ad-hoc duties as assigned

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Intern will learn how to effectively manage food and agriculture programs across a wide network Intern will learn the administrative and operational aspects of community farms and gardens Intern will gain experience creating social media content

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.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. 

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.