Refugee Health & Social Integration Intern – Spring 2025

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 28 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. Domestically, our 28 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 Refugee Health and Social Integration Intern will work in close coordination with case management teams to serve refugees and other vulnerable immigrants who are struggling to navigate various systems, such as the U.S. healthcare system, and access resources and services. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Work directly with IRC clients to assess their needs and priorities, collaborating with them to create service plans and deliver ongoing case management. 
• Guide clients to various appointments, including but not limited to appointments with lawyers, law enforcement, health care, and public benefit providers.  
• Engage in community mapping to identify and refer clients to external resources. Engage in community outreach activities to identify potential clients and increase IRC visibility.  
• Assist in maintaining quality control of files.  
• Other tasks as assigned.  

LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

• Intern will gain case management experience by interacting with and assisting vulnerable clients.  
  
• Intern will acquire detailed knowledge of the US healthcare system.  
  
• Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how to capture data to improve services. 
  
• Intern will learn or improve intercultural communication skills.  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Commitment of 4 months required and at least 15 hours per week. 30 hours per week preferred. 
  
• Ability to work in-person required. 
  
• Reliable access to a personal vehicle, valid US driver’s license, and active insurance policy. 
  
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a fast-paced environment. 
  
• Organized with attention to detail. 
  
• Excellent communication and writing skills. 
  
• An interest in international and refugee issues. 
  
• Proven ability to work as a team member in a multi-cultural setting.  
  
• Willingness to use public transportation with clients in order to orient clients to buses, etc. 
  
• Proficiency in Arabic, Amharic, Tigrinya, Swahili, Farsi or French desirable. 

TO APPLY
Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter, and a 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 15 hours per week. 30 hours per week 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, 2024 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 not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply.  These candidates 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.