Refugee Barrier Reduction Intern (Summer 2026)
International Rescue Committee, Silver Spring, MD, United States
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's 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 world's 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 you're 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
IRC programming assists refugees to become economically self‑sufficient and provides access to casework services to support acclimatization within the United States. This role supports the IRC’s economic empowerment program in effectively reducing the barriers of humanitarian migrants to achieve self‑sufficiency in the United States.
Responsibilities
Provide clients with support in the completion and submission of various applications to assist the reduction of barriers to employment in the United States (childcare voucher applications, SafeLink phone applications, etc.).
Conduct training on the topics of public transportation, childcare options, digital literacy, and understanding public benefits to reduce barriers to employment.
Participate in supporting clients in Job Application Hours to understand the process of applying for jobs in the United States and submit needed employment applications to achieve economic self‑sufficiency.
Coordinate with economic empowerment service teams to support clients over the course of their service provision at the IRC in issues of barrier reduction.
Engage respectfully with all clients regardless of background.
Facilitate and conduct client outings (contingent upon office status) to financial institutions, libraries and various other venues to support client engagement with needed resources.
Other duties as identified by RTCP Program Coordinator.
Learning Objectives
Intern will gain insights into IRC 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 skills, including cross‑cultural communication skills.
Works well in a fast‑paced environment and adapts quickly to change.
Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues.
Language skills in Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, French, Kinyarwanda or Swahili are a plus.
Three‑month minimum. Required 24 hours/week. Preferred full‑time.
Preference for current students and recent graduates.
Internship Details
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 9:15 AM–3:30 PM.
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.
Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Summer 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15 per day to offset the costs of food and travel. Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply as volunteers.
Background checks are required for all selected applicants.
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.
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Scope of Work
IRC programming assists refugees to become economically self‑sufficient and provides access to casework services to support acclimatization within the United States. This role supports the IRC’s economic empowerment program in effectively reducing the barriers of humanitarian migrants to achieve self‑sufficiency in the United States.
Responsibilities
Provide clients with support in the completion and submission of various applications to assist the reduction of barriers to employment in the United States (childcare voucher applications, SafeLink phone applications, etc.).
Conduct training on the topics of public transportation, childcare options, digital literacy, and understanding public benefits to reduce barriers to employment.
Participate in supporting clients in Job Application Hours to understand the process of applying for jobs in the United States and submit needed employment applications to achieve economic self‑sufficiency.
Coordinate with economic empowerment service teams to support clients over the course of their service provision at the IRC in issues of barrier reduction.
Engage respectfully with all clients regardless of background.
Facilitate and conduct client outings (contingent upon office status) to financial institutions, libraries and various other venues to support client engagement with needed resources.
Other duties as identified by RTCP Program Coordinator.
Learning Objectives
Intern will gain insights into IRC 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 skills, including cross‑cultural communication skills.
Works well in a fast‑paced environment and adapts quickly to change.
Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues.
Language skills in Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, French, Kinyarwanda or Swahili are a plus.
Three‑month minimum. Required 24 hours/week. Preferred full‑time.
Preference for current students and recent graduates.
Internship Details
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 9:15 AM–3:30 PM.
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.
Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Summer 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15 per day to offset the costs of food and travel. Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply as volunteers.
Background checks are required for all selected applicants.
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.
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