Economic Development Intern (Spring 2027)

Location: Silver Spring, MD USA

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

The Economic Empowerment program assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient by providing career development training and financial coaching. Our program assists clients in obtaining education, apprenticeships, jobs, financial coaching and 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 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

Intern will learn to create effective professional and job specific resumes and cover letters

Intern will learn how to cater curricula to fit federal guidelines while remaining responsive to employer/client needs

Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients and  interpreters

Intern will learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower clients

Intern will learn effective outreach strategies for building strategic relationships

Intern will learn how to adapt training curriculum to clients’ needs and how to teach necessary life skills and professional development in a group setting

Intern will learn about how to successfully and appropriately advocate for clients’ rights and needs in the labor market

Intern will 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 interest to develop 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.  Required 20+ hours/week.  Preferred 35+ hours/week.

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 list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline for applying is 01/04/2027.

This position is for the Fall 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.

Spring 2027 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on Jan 25th, 2027, 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. Spring 2027 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 Lalah Ehrari [email protected].

• Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply. These 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 voluntee