Refugee Barrier Reduction Intern (Summer 2026)
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Job Location:
Silver Spring, MD - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
4 days 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:IRCprogrammingassists refugees to becomeeconomicallyself-sufficientand supports acclimatization within the United Statesby providingaccess to casework services.This role will support the IRCs economic empowerment program in effectively reducing the barriers of humanitarian migrants to achieve self-sufficiency in the United States.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provideclients with supportinthe completion and submission ofvarious applications toassistthe reduction of barriersto employment in the United States(childcare voucher applications SafeLink phone applications etc.).
Conducttrainingon the topics of public transportation childcareoptions digital literacy andunderstanding public benefitsto reduce barriersto employment.
Participate in supporting clients in Job Application Hours to understand the process of applying for jobs in the United States andsubmitneeded employment applications to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Coordinate with economic empowerment service teams to support clientsoverthe course of their service provision at the IRCin issues of barrier reduction.
Engage respectfully with all clients regardless of background.
Facilitate and conduct client outings (contingent upon office status) to financial institutionslibrariesand various other venues to support client engagement withneededresources.
Other duties asidentifiedbyRTCP Program Coordinator.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Intern will gain insights intoIRC casework and workforce programs and the process of refugee and asylee integration within the United States.
Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients across cultures and with interpreters.
Intern will learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower adults.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Self-motivated and able to work independently
Excellent communication and writing skillsincluding cross-cultural communicative skills
Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change
Strong interest in refugee and asyleeissues.
Language skills in Spanish Amharic DariPashto FrenchKinyarwandaor Swahili are a plus
Three-monthminimum.Required24 hours/week. Preferredfull-time.
Preference to current students and recent graduates*
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
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
