Description
The Economic Empowerment program at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient by providing career development training and financial coaching. As an intern, you 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 and monitor performance on the Career Development Program
- Teach Advanced Job Readiness Trainings, including introduction to career development, business writing, networking, interview preparation, and financial literacy
- Counsel and guide clients through the process of working towards long-term career goals by providing individual trainings, resume and cover letter preparation, one-on-one job application assistance, etc.
- Provide group and individual trainings aimed at successful workforce integration
- Accompany clients to job preparation activities and interviews; coach clients on interview preparation
- Assist clients in setting up bank accounts, teach financial literacy workshops, and assist clients with loan applications
- Assist clients 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 as identified by Employment Specialists
Learning Objectives:
- Learn to create effective professional and job-specific resumes and cover letters
- Learn how to cater curricula to fit federal guidelines while remaining responsive to employer/client needs
- Learn to communicate effectively with clients and interpreters
- Learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower clients
- Learn effective outreach strategies for building strategic relationships
- Learn how to adapt training curriculum to clients' needs and how to teach necessary life skills and professional development in a group setting
- Learn about how to successfully and appropriately advocate for clients' rights and needs in the labor market
- Learn about networking, financial literacy, and how to obtain a professional job
- Learn how to implement program safeguards to protect domestic violence survivors, vulnerable populations, and to empower women
Qualifications:
- Self-motivated; able to work independently
- Ability to collaborate with fellow interns to create/teach trainings
- Excellent communication and writing skills
- Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change
- Confident in public speaking or interest in developing these skills
- Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues as well as in workforce development
- Language skills in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Hindi, or Swahili are a plus
- Three-month minimum commitment; required 20+ hours/week, preferred 35+ hours/week
- Preference to current students and recent graduates