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 ofWork:
TheRefugee TANFCoordinationProgram (RTCP)specializes in providing holistic services to humanitarian immigrant parents receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The goal of the program is threefold: 1) assist households in maintaining compliance with their TANF benefits 2) reduce barriers to self-sufficiency and employment such as language or cultural barriersfor both spouses ifa two-parent household and 3) assist the employment ready spouse(s) insecuring full-time intern will workdirectly under the supervision of one of the RTCP employment specialists.
Responsibilities:
Assessnewclientsthroughcreating their individualinitialemployment plan and pre-employment budget.
Conductbulk Zoom or in-personskill-buildingorinformation sessionsincluding onjob readinessinterviewsdigital literacy public transportchildcareoptions drivers licenses GEDcoursesand credential evaluation.
Assistclients with public benefitapplicationfollow-upcalls to externalserviceproviders and referrals to internal and external services.
Create individualized resumes and cover lettersassistwith finding job leads and complete job applications with clients.
Strategically researchpotentialemployer partners and conduct outreach.
Regularly track service provision through electronic data entryand organize required client documentation.
Other duties assigned by the RTCP team.
Learning Objectives:
Intern will gain USresettlement agency experience inassessing new clients.
Internwill learn how to trainandcommunicate withvaried stakeholders including how to effectivelyutilizeinterpreters.
Intern willacquireknowledge of programs and public benefits available to humanitarian immigrants.
Internwill learn how toeffectively create resumes and job searchfor 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. *
Minimum24hours per weekthree-monthcommitment and threefull working days per week; full-time32-40 hoursper weekhighlypreferred.
Strong digital literacy skills and the ability to learn new software and tasks.
Organizedand attentive to detail.
Ability to work independentlyand multi-task.
Strong verbal and writtencommunicationskills.
Experience or interest in conductingtrainings.
Interestinworking in a globalenvironment refugeeand humanitarianpopulations.
Fluencyin Dari Pashto UkrainianSpanish Kiswahili Kinyarwanda Tigrinya or Amharicisa plus.
Access to an insuredvehiclepreferred 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
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