Economic Empowerment Intern - Spring 2022

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 26 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 26 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

The Economic Empowerment program assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient by providingworkforce development services including early employment and career development support. Early employment places recently arrived refugees in their first job;career development assists employed clients in securing job upgrades that improve economic conditions and align with career history and/or career objectives. The intern will work closely with the Economic Empowerment team promoting client self-sufficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Conduct employment assessments, create resumes and cover letters, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews and complete family budgets with refugee job seekers.
• Develop employer partnerships through research and targeted outreach.
• Provide group and individual trainings aimed at workforce integration.
  
• Manage distribution and tracking of in-kind donations to clients.
• Other duties as identified by the Economic Empowerment team. 
  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

• Intern will gain insight into refugee and asylee workforce integration programs.
  
• Intern will learn to create effective resumes and cover letters. 
  
• Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients across cultures and with interpreters 
  
• Intern will learn effective outreach strategies for building strategic relationships.