United States of America: Family Mentor 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 Family Mentor Program focuses on the long-term stages of resettlement after clients finish their eight month period in case management. Still feeling uneasy, the team connects them with local families to socialize and integrate into the community. Many times families cannot attend English classes due to employment or childcare, so family mentors help practice English. Family needs are also fulfilled as requested and varies upon case.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in the coordination of matching clients to mentors through in-take process
• Call clients or meet in-person to gather qualitative information about needs for the program
• Create a calendar of events for free or affordable activities for mentors and mentees
• Data entry and documenting progress of mentorship
• Guide clients with applications for energy assistance, food stamps, and/or local programs
• Research local organizations to build resources for mentors
• Check-in with clients to assure needs are being addressed
• Shadow first visits between mentors and mentees, as well as participate in appreciation events Willingness or interest in other departments to fulfill responsibilities

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Intern will gain US field-office experience interacting with and assisting refugee clients.
• Intern will acquire detailed knowledge of programs (e.g. Matching Grant, Public/Private Partnership, etc.) and public benefits available for refugees and asylees during their resettlement period
• Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how to capture data to improve services
• Intern will gain exposure to case work in the resettlement field

REQUIREMENTS:

• Current undergraduate, graduate student, or less than 12 months out of school*
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Organized with attention to detail
• Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• An interest in international and refugee issues
• Interest in or experience working in a multi-cultural setting
• Willingness to use public transportation with clients in order to orient clients to buses, etc.
• Fluency in one of the following languages is highly desirable but not required: French, Arabic, Amharic, Burmese, Nepali, Swahili, Farsi or Tigrinya
• Minimum 10 hours per week commitment for a period of 3 month

• Availability for some weeknights and weekends

  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 are outside 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