Refugee Cultural Orientation Intern – Spring 2025

Background 
The International Rescue Committee, Inc. (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to people forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to rebuild their lives. The IRC in Baltimore was established in 1999 and currently serves over 2,500 immigrants and refugees per year. 

Scope of Work 
The cultural orientation (CO) program is part of the IRC’s holistic and integrated approach to resettlement. Cultural orientation provides trainings to newly arrived refugees in order to foster a better understanding of their new environment and the services available to them in the Baltimore area. The cultural orientation intern will assist the cultural orientation training specialist in designing, developing, and delivering structured training sessions on topics such as financial management, U.S. laws, housing, transportation, safety, healthcare, and cultural adjustment in order to aid refugees on their journey towards self-sufficiency. 

Reports To  
Cultural Orientation Training Specialist 

Learning Objectives  
-Learn to identify key barriers to adjustment to the U.S. and methods for teaching clients to become self-sufficient. 
-Gain experience in teaching, program coordination, and curriculum design. 
-Develop an understanding of the local food system in the Baltimore metropolitan area, including resources focused on nutrition and food security. 

Responsibilities 
-Using IRC curriculum, teach virtual lessons in group and individual sessions as needed.  
-Lead bus orientations and bank orientations with refugee clients in Baltimore City. 
-Assist with class logistics by creating class rosters, contacting class participants, and organizing transportation.  
-Support classroom operations by creating and organizing materials. 
-Work with interpreters to administer post-tests to CO graduates. 
-Support the CO specialist in researching and designing new modules to update the CO curriculum. 
-Assist with documentation, data entry, and supervision of participants’ children as necessary. 
-Other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications:

-Prior experience and interest in adult education or curriculum development preferred.  
-Prior experience and interest working with refugees and immigrants preferred. 
-Prior experience or interest in community health, nutrition, and/or food access. 
-Ability to work independently and as a team member in a fast-paced, cross-cultural environment. 
-Flexible and reliable, with outstanding attention to detail.   
-Strong problem-solving skills.  
-Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.  
-Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and web-based applications (databases, Box).  
-Fluency in English required. Bilingual ability in one of the predominant languages of the local client base is desired (particularly Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Urdu). 
-Valid driver’s license, reliable access to a vehicle with current insurance and the ability to travel regularly throughout Baltimore strongly preferred.  

Position Details  
• IN-PERSON: Spring 2025 internships will be in-person. This includes a combination of standard office environment, remote work, and field time within the greater Baltimore area. 
• DATES: Internships start with a required in-person orientation on Monday, January 13th, 2025 (approx. 9:30 AM – 3 PM) at the IRC Baltimore office. Regular weekly hours start the week of January 14th, 2025, and will continue through April 11th, 2025 (13 total weeks). 
• HOURS: Internships require a minimum of 15 hours per week for 13 weeks. Interns should be able to come to the office at least 1 day per week. 
• LAPTOP: Interns will be issued an IRC laptop for the duration of the internship to perform both remote and in-office responsibilities.  
• REIMBURSEMENT: Internships with the IRC in Baltimore are unpaid. University credit may be arranged. Spring 2025 interns are eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15 per day (defined as 7.5 hours) to offset the costs of food and travel of the internship. Interns may also be reimbursed for mileage driven for any approved activities (based on round-trip mileage from the IRC office).  
 
Application Process 
•DUE DATE: apply online at www.rescue.org/careers by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, November 24th. 
•INTERVIEWS: Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted to schedule interviews. Due to the volume of applications, only applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted approximately December 12-17.
•OFFERS: Applicants who have interviewed for positions can expect to receive a decision no later than December 27th, 2024. Confirmations will be due at the latest by January 3rd, 2025. 

Equal Opportunity Employer 
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.