Economic Empowerment Program Intern
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Job Description
About the International Rescue Committee (IRC):
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading international humanitarian non-governmental organization (INGO) responding to the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Founded in 1933 by Albert Einstein, the IRC works in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities. Their mission is to help people survive, reclaim control of their futures, and strengthen their communities. The IRC focuses on restoring health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to those devastated by conflict and disaster. Domestically, their 28 U.S. offices provide essential services like food, shelter, and clothing to new arrivals and support refugees in achieving self-sufficiency.
Job Description: Economic Empowerment Program Intern (Summer 2025)
This unpaid internship with the IRC’s Economic Empowerment program in Silver Spring focuses on assisting refugees in becoming economically self-sufficient. The program provides career development training and financial coaching, helping clients obtain education, apprenticeships, jobs, financial coaching, and microloans.
Responsibilities:
• Work closely with Employment Specialists and Financial Coaches.
• Implement and monitor the Career Development Program’s performance.
• Teach Advanced Job Readiness Trainings (career development, business writing, networking, interview preparation, financial literacy).
• Counsel and guide clients in achieving long-term career goals (individual trainings, resume/cover letter preparation, job application assistance).
• Provide group and individual trainings for workforce integration.
• Accompany clients to job activities and interviews; provide interview coaching.
• Assist clients with bank accounts, financial literacy workshops, and loan applications.
• Assist with new hire paperwork, program documentation, and administrative tasks.
• Audit program files for documentation adherence and update databases.
• Advocate for clients’ rights in the labor market (provide references, meet with employers).
• Other duties as assigned.
Learning Objectives:
• Creating effective resumes and cover letters.
• Adapting curricula to federal guidelines and employer/client needs.
• Effective communication with clients and interpreters.
• Individual coaching techniques to empower clients.
• Outreach strategies for building relationships.
• Adapting training curricula to client needs and teaching life/professional development skills.
• Advocating for clients’ rights and needs.
• Understanding networking, financial literacy, and job acquisition.
• Implementing program safeguards to protect vulnerable populations and empower women.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Self-motivated; ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Adaptability to a fast-paced environment.
• Public speaking confidence (or willingness to develop this skill).
• Strong interest in refugee/asylee issues and workforce development.
• Language skills (Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Hindi, or Swahili) are a plus.
• Preference given to current students and recent graduates.
Additional Information:
• Unpaid internship, with potential for per diem reimbursement ($15/day).
• Minimum commitment: 3 months, 15-30 hours/week.
• In-person work required: At least one day per week, mandatory in-person orientation on June 9th, 2025.
• Application deadline: May 23rd, 2025.
• Background checks required. A $30 donation is requested to cover associated costs.
Note: Candidates not currently enrolled in a program or outside 12 months of graduation will be processed as volunteers.
