Operations Intern – Spring 2025

Background: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading non-sectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. The Suburban Washington Refugee Center, where the IRC’s Silver Spring resettlement office is located, has resettled more than 2,000 new refugee arrivals, providing them a fresh start and opportunities to use their greatest resources—their motivation, their skills, and their experiences—to become independent and self-sufficient new Americans. Currently, the IRC Silver Spring resettles and/or provides assistance to over 700 refugees and asylees each year.

Scope of work: IRC’s Operations Team in Silver Spring, Maryland, supports operations functions and provides related administrative support, resulting in a well-functioning, compliant environment for staff, clients, and partners. This is a challenging position that requires strong organization, creative problem-solving, personal initiative, and the ability to work well in a multicultural and fast -paced environment.

Responsibilities:

· Support Operations Team to manage and maintain digital and physical files for office inventory.

· Support office inventory needs, including contributions in-kind(CIK) and procured inventory via day-to -day storage, tracking and reporting.

· Support on and off-site storage needs.

· Assist with IT and office supply inventory

· Support smooth functioning of office infrastructure including front desk support.

· Assist with planning and coordinating office events and meetings

Learning Objectives:

· Understanding policies and processes of non-profit daily operation with regard to IT, procurement, safety and security.

· Understanding the coordination of staff and resources between a local non-profit office and headquarters; understanding compliance standards.

· Gain exposure to local refugees and asylee community.

· Understand the various immigration processes and procedures refugees and asylees encounter.

· Experience working in a multicultural office environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

· Working towards a degree at a college or university. Must be a current student or within 12 months of schooling.*

· Pasion to work with diverse and limited-English speaking refugees (second language proficiency a plus)

· Interest or work in logistics, procurement, or IT.

· Highly organized self-starter with demonstrated problem-solving and follow-through ability, and proven success in managing multiple and diverse priorities under pressure

· Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time in a demanding, fast-paced environment.

· Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite.

· Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.

TO APPLY

Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter and list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline to apply is January 6, 2025.

This position is for Spring 2025 and requires a minimum commitment of 4 months and at least 24 hours per week (full-time availability preferred). Ability to work in-person required.

Spring 2025 Interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on January 27th, 2025 from 9:15AM-3:30PM. 

We currently offer
internships during the following semesters:
Spring: January – May
Summer: June – August
Fall: September – December
Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the
anticipated start date.

Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Spring 2025 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel. For information on scholarship opportunities, contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring intern coordinator at [email protected].

*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. 

To protect our clients, the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 87% 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 at [email protected]. As required by law, the IRC will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with a known disability.