United States of America: Cultural Orientation Intern

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 26 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Cultural Orientation (CO) program provides training to newly arrived refugees on a variety of important topics, such as US laws, financial literacy, public transportation, personal safety, housing issues, employment, immigration, cultural adjustment, and the US healthcare system. These trainings are offered in a classroom setting and follow an interactive, participant-centered curriculum. All sessions are conducted in participants’ native languages through the use of in-person interpreters. The Cultural Orientation Intern will assist the Cultural Orientation Coordinator in administering the CO program, developing materials, and delivering content in order to aid refugees on their journey towards self-sufficiency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Lead Cultural Orientation sessions in the classroom as directed by the CO Coordinator

· Support CO Coordinator in updating the CO curriculum and developing differentiated lessons for clients with varying experiences and educational backgrounds

· Create teaching materials and handouts to help refugees understand and navigate their new surroundings

· Assist with program logistics, such as setting up the classroom, preparing materials, contacting participants, maintaining records, and administering assessments

· Deliver one-to-one Cultural Orientation sessions in clients’ homes as needed

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

· Intern will gain experience with teaching, curriculum development, program administration, and assessment.

· Intern will build public speaking skills, learn the art of working with an interpreter, and increase their intercultural competence

· Intern will learn about the US refugee resettlement process and educational methods that promote community integration and self-sufficiency

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Demonstrated interest in education, ideally in a cross-cultural context

· Organized and flexible with strong attention to detail

· Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills

· Ability to work independently or as a member of a team

· Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

This position reports to the Program Coordinator

Note: This is an unpaid internship; school credit may be received depending on your program and institution.

*Candidates applying who are not currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, or who are not within 12 months of their graduation are still welcome to apply but will be processed as volunteers.

Please include your resume, a cover letter, a list of references, and your tentative availability (including start date and weekly schedule) with your application.

This position is for the fall 2018 semester beginning in August/September and requires a 3 month commitment. The internship will be posted until filled.

To protect our clients, the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $55 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 92% 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 leading the way from harm to home.

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.

If you need assistance in the application or hiring process to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time. Please contact Talent Acquisitions atIRC.Recruitment@rescue.org. As required by law, the IRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a known disability.**

Please follow the link below to apply directly on our website, or visit rescue.org/careers and narrow your search to Silver Spring, MD

https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=rescue