Refugee Wellness Intern

Requisition ID: req8455

Job Title: Refugee Wellness Intern

Sector: Resettlement, Asylum and Integration

TITLE: Refugee Wellness Intern (Public Health focus) 
LOCATION: IRC City Heights and El Cajon Offices 
DURATION: 3-6 Months
Hours – minimum of 15 hours/week   


BACKGROUND: 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 at work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

Across the USP network, Safety and Health programming are core to promoting wellness and ensure access to services that address physical and psychological needs. Program areas include mental health and wellness, maternal and prenatal health, healthcare literacy and access, and health and nutritional promotion in communities.

SCOPE OF WORK: 

As a part of IRC’s Strategic Action Plan, The IRC is committed to protecting and restoring the health of people affected by conflict and disaster. The IRC San Diego aims to continue to build out wellness programs supporting refugee clients to cope with the stress of culture shock and navigating new systems, so that they can thrive in their new community. The Refugee Wellness Intern will be a key player in integrating concepts of wellness throughout a diverse array of programs, first and foremost by connecting with service providers in the community and dispensing valuable educational resources to IRC clients. As the Safety and Wellness department grows at IRC San Diego, the department requires administrative and programmatic support to achieve community health outcomes, offering interns the opportunity to learn more about the macro-level aspects of non-profit work. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 
• Support the development and delivery of presentations about community health resources and wellness tips
• Create Public Health resources for refugee and other immigrant communities – (help put together a COVID-19 Fast Facts resources for clients)
• Support the logistics, planning, and facilitation of wellness support groups
• Accompany clients to medical appointments and advocate alongside to ensure proper access to and benefit from health services
• Assist with macro-level project including with program design, monitoring and evaluation of department programs
• Research and support the prospecting for future IRC health and wellness programs (possible areas of focus):
o Reproductive Health 
o CDC approach to domestic and sexual violence prevention
o Human Trafficking 
o Maternal Health 
o Health Navigation services 
o Community based mental health services 
• Research current and best practices for refugee wellness programs 
• Coordinate with community service providers as needed to benefit IRC clients
• Attendance at meetings, workshops, and training sessions in order to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments 
• Other duties as assigned

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Learn about the unique barriers that refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants face in San Diego
• Build a network with community health partners and map the landscape of care in San Diego
• Shape approaches to health and wellness through a gender transformative lens 

REQUIREMENTS: 
• Must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor or Master’s program (focused subjects such as Social Work, Public Health, or Women’s Studies)
• Experience with direct service with diverse population
• Needs to be flexible with driving clients if allowed
• Excellent organization skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to effectively collaborate. Needs to work with limited supervision
• English fluency required, proficiency in a refugee language (Arabic, Farsi, Swahili) a plus
• Able to commit to 2 - 4 days per week.

This position reports to the Wellness and Gender Equity Supervisor.

IRC leading the way From Harm To Home.