Digital Inclusion Intern

The Digital Inclusion Program, within the IRC SLC’s Education Program, supports digital skill development for newly arrived refugees and New Americans as well as access to and comfort with technology as a means to improve their lives and livelihoods. This includes providing initial smartphone and data plans, affordable home broadband internet access, Technology Mentorships, and integrated digital skills into core resettlement services.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: The IRC SLC seeks a self-starting, tech-savvy intern with cross-cultural sensitivities, troubleshooting skills and a team mindset to support a growing program focused on digital inclusion and digital equity for refugee clients. With oversight from the Digital Inclusion Coordinator, the Digital Access Intern will assist with home broadband enrollments, basic training on computer and smartphone use, and ongoing technology support for refugee clients. Digital connectivity has become a critical issue for IRC SLC programs and newly arrived refugees during the pandemic and technology issues are a main barrier to access. The Digital Access Intern will provide much needed technology-follow-up to support client’s participation in IRC SLC’s virtual programs. Work will be conducted primarily by virtual web-conference and collaborative tools for troubleshooting client’s technology barriers as these arise, keeping an inventory of donated digital tools and equipment for distribution, and ongoing basic digital training for clients to engage as the world becomes increasingly dependent on remote, digital communication.

COMMITMENT: 5-6 months starting in January 2021, 15-20 hours per week

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•Assist clients with accessing home broadband through enrollment in Comcast Internet Essential Service

•Provide ongoing technology support to clients by troubleshooting problems by phone with interpreter as available

•Assist computer distribution and device troubleshooting in refugee homes

•Provide virtual support for clients in using virtual platforms for communication including WhatsApp for Business, Google Hangouts, and Zoom

•Support preparation for and facilitation of initial digital inclusion intakes with all new refugee arrivals within the first 30 days

•Other duties as assigned (front desk coverage, office support, etc.)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The intern will gain professional experience in digital literacy programming including best practices and approaches for implementing digital education

2. The intern will deepen understanding of program design, data tracking, and evaluation

3. The intern will gain experience with cross-cultural communication and strengths-based approach service delivery