United States of America: Cultural Orientation

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 22 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 22 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 Program is designed to assist the Resettlement Center staff to provide a holistic and integrated approach to resettlement. The Cultural Orientation Program will provide supplemental trainings to newly arrived refugees and asylees to foster a better understanding of their new environment and services in the Baltimore Area. The Cultural Orientation Program Intern will assist the Cultural Orientation Coordinator to design, develop and deliver structured training sessions to refugees on topics as diverse as financial management, housing, transportation, education, local resources in order to aid them in their journey towards self-sufficiency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Support CO program development through creation and organization of Cultural Orientation classroom materials, handouts, and visual aids.

· Assist with classroom setup, contacting class participants, and other logistics as necessary.

· Assist with childcare for participants’ children until childcare volunteers are assured.

· Assist in the classroom and with orientation outreach in clients’ homes as needed.

· Lead bus orientations with refugee clients in Baltimore City.

· Administer post-tests as needed and directed by CO Coordinator.

· Research current CO modules/resources online as needed.

· Support Cultural Orientation Coordinator in additional tasks as necessary to design, upkeep and update CO program and curriculum.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify key barriers to adjustment to the United States and list some educational methods to help refugees understand their new surroundings.

2. Assist in program management of Cultural Orientations at the IRC and independently locate and compile information essential to making the program run.

3. Develop clear and visual materials to assist staff and refugees to understand US systems, including the bus, the banking system, their assistance and surroundings.

REQUIREMENTS:

· Experience or demonstrated interest in teaching and in designing, developing, and/or delivering training presentations, preferably in a multicultural context.

· Ability to communicate and work effectively as a team member in a multicultural environment.

· Organized with great attention to detail and great flexibility.

· Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects and ability to work independently.

· Strong writing and editing skills, specifically in developing print and visual training materials. Experience with computer-based interactive training tools a plus.

· Excellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and proficient in a graphic design.

· Preferred proficiency in a foreign language, including Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Burmese, Chin, or Nepali.

. A car is required.

TIME COMMITMENT:

· Fall and Spring interns are required to work at least 15 hours per week, Monday through Friday, for a minimum of 12 weeks in the Fall and Spring

· Summer interns are required to work at least 30 hours per week, Monday through Friday, for the entire summer. Interns who can intern full-time (40 hours a week) are strongly preferred.

Reports to:Cultural Orientation Coordinator

Position:Unpaid Internship

Please apply using our online system. You can also prioritize your application by sending your resume, cover letter, and contact info for 2 references directly to the Volunteer Coordinator Taylor.Jenkins@rescue.org with the following information listed in the cover letter:

-internship(s) for which you wish to be considered (please provide a ranking of desired internships if you wish to be considered for multiple opportunities)

-projected start/end date (noting that we have a 3-month minimum for our internships)

-days and number of hours of availability during the work week (for example: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am-5pm)

-whether or not you would have access to a car in which you would be willing to drive with the refugees and asylees we serve to access social services

We look forward to reviewing your application!

IRC leading the way From Harm To Home.