Refugee Economic Empowerment Intern (Summer 2026)
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Job Location:
Silver Spring, MD - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worlds 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 worlds 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 youre a solutions-driven passionate change-maker come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
Scope of Work:
The Economic Empowerment programassistsrefugees to become economically self-sufficient by placing humanitarian immigrants in entry level work in the United States. The goal of the program is to help clients reduce barriers to self-sufficiency and employment andassistclients in securing full-time jobs. The intern will work directly under the supervision of one of the employment specialists.
Responsibilities:
Assess new clients by creating their individualinitialemployment plan.
Create individualized resumes and cover lettersassistwith finding job leads and complete job applications with clients.
Strategically research potential employer partners and conduct outreach.
Regularly track service provision through electronic data entry and organize required client documentation.
Manage distribution and tracking of in-kind donations to clients.
Other duties assigned by the employment team.
Learning Objectives:
Internwill gain experience conducting employmentassessment
Intern will gain insight into immigrant workforceprograms.
Internwill learn how to communicate effectively in a global environment including byutilizinginterpreters.
Intern willacquireknowledge of programs and public benefits available to humanitarian immigrants.
Internwill learn how to effectively create resumes and job search for clients.
Internwill gain skills in strategic research and outreach strategies.
Internwill learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how capturing this data improves services.
Qualifications
Current undergraduate graduate student or less than 12 months out of school. *
Minimum 24 hours per week three-month commitment and three full working days per week; full-time 32-40 hoursper weekhighlypreferred.
Strong digital literacy skills and the ability to learn new software and tasks.
Organized and attentive to detail.
Ability to work independently and multi-task.
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change.
Interest in working with refugee and humanitarian populations.
Fluency in DariPashto Spanish Kiswahili KinyarwandaTigrinya Amharicor other languagesfrequentlyspoken by the client base is a plus.
Access to an insured vehiclepreferred butnot.
TO APPLY
Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume cover letter and a list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline to apply is May 22 2026.
This position is for the Summer semester and requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required.
Summer 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on June 1st 2026 from 9:15AM-3:30PM.
We currently offer internships during the following semesters:
Spring: January May
Summer: June August
Fall: September December
Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date.
Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Summer 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel. For information on scholarship opportunities contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring Community Engagement Coordinator Michalina Kulesza at .
*Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to candidates will be processed as volunteers.
To protect our clients the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients. Instructions will be provided after you have been selected to intern or volunteer.
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.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity Service Equality and accordance with these values the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding Conflicts of Interest Fiscal Integrity and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection power sharing debate and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
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.
Required Experience:
Intern
Key Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Public Relations
- Google Docs
- Data Collection
- MailChimp
- Microsoft Word
- Dermal Fillers
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Research Experience
- Microsoft Excel
- Adobe Photoshop
- Writing Skills
About Company
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. In more than 40 countries and in 26 U.S. cities, our dedicated ... View more
