United States of America: Vocational Training Program 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 Vocational Training Intern will work closely with the Senior Program Manager and the Career Development (CD) team to connect CD participants to free and low cost vocational training opportunities that improve their chances at securing a career path job upgrade with a living wage. The position will be embedded in the larger Economic Empowerment Program, which assists refugees as they become economically self-sufficient by providing entry level employment and career development support.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support refugees and immigrants in enrolling in vocational training as a step toward securing a living wage job along a career path

· Recruit participants for available vocational training opportunities

· Compile available vocational trainings into a monthly email, distributed to current Career Development program staff and participants

· Represent the IRC with local vocational training providers, professionally advocating for IRC participants

· Support participants as they navigate the process to enroll in a vocational training via email and, as needed, by attending events or meetings in person with participants

· Communicate with the Career Development staff members regarding participant process.

· Maintain documentation of participant and program progress in the form of casenotes and/or spreadsheets, as per program manager guidance

· Ensure that all enrolled vocational training participants have access to individual job placement support following the completion of training

• Support the economic empowerment team in creating or compiling resources such as career pathway documents, record of vocational training providers, etc.
• Other duties as identified by Senior Program Manager and Career Development Coordinator

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Intern will build connections with local vocational training providers including community colleges, American Job Centers and private training institutions. Participant will learn about mechanisms to fund vocational training for low-moderate income Maryland residents.
• Intern will learn to write clear and concise professional communications to be reviewed by career development participants, IRC staff and local vocational training providers
• Intern will learn professional verbal communication and client advocacy strategies
• Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients across cultures

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including ability to draft professional email communications and to represent the IRC at in person meetings with local training providers required
• Current graduate students or individuals who have recently completed a graduate program strongly encouraged to apply. Undergraduates with strong written and verbal communication skills with be considered
• Cross-cultural communicative skills, especially as related to working with immigrant career development participants
• Self-motivated. Able to work independently, adapt to a changing environment and report key points to program manager. Three month minimum. Required 12+ hours/week. Preferred 15-24 hours/week

Please apply directly to the posting online: https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/JobDetails.aspx?site=1&id=3064

*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 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 spring 2019 semester and requires a 3 month commitment in total, varies based on start date. The internship will be posted until filled.