Economic Development Intern (Summer 2026)
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Job Location:
Silver Spring, MD - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
10 hours ago
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 providing career development training and financial coaching. Our programassistsclients in obtaining education apprenticeships jobs financialcoachingand microloans to promote self-sufficiency. The intern will work closely with the Economic Empowerment team to help promote client economic growth and encourage clients to work towards their long-term goals.
Responsibilities:
Work directly with IRC Employment Specialists and Financial Coaches to implement andmonitorperformance on the Career Development Program
Teach Advanced Job Readiness Trainingsincluding:introduction to career development business writing networking interviewpreparationand financial literacy
Counsel and guide clients through the process of working towards long-term career goals byproviding:individualtrainings resume and cover letter preparation one-on-one job applicationassistance etc.
Provide group and individualtrainingsaimed at successful workforce integration
Accompany clients to job preparation activities andinterviews;coach clients on interview preparation
Assistclients in setting up bank accounts teach financial literacy workshops andassistclients with loan applications
Assistclients in completing new hire paperwork employment program documentation and other administrative tasks as needed
Audit employment program files to ensure documentation adheres to program requirements and update program databases regularly
Advocate for clients rights in the labor market by providing references for clients and meeting with employers to educate them about the benefits of hiring IRC clients
Other duties asidentifiedby Employment Specialists
Learning Objectives:
Internwill learn to create effective professional and job specific resumes and cover letters
Internwill learn how to cater curricula to fit federal guidelines whileremainingresponsive to employer/client needs
Internwill learn to communicate effectively with clientsand interpreters
Internwill learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower clients
Internwill learn effective outreach strategies for building strategic relationships
Internwill learn how to adapt training curriculum to clients needs and how to teach necessary life skills and professional development in a group setting
Internwill learn about how tosuccessfully and appropriately advocate for clients rights and needsin the labor market
Internwill learn about networking financial literacy and how to obtain a professional job
Intern will learn how to implement program safeguards to protect domestic violence survivors vulnerable population and to empower women
Qualifications:
Self-motivated; able to work independently
Ability to collaborate with fellow interns to create/teach trainings. This is a team-focused internship.
Excellent communication and writing skills
Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change
Confident in public speaking or interestto developthese skills
Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues as well as in workforce development
Language skills in Amharic Arabic Burmese DariFarsi French Kinyarwanda SpanishHindior Swahili are a plus
Threemonthminimum. Required 20 hours/week. Preferred 35 hours/week.
Preference to current students and recentgraduates.*
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 20 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
