Fall 2026: Microenterprise Program Intern (Unpaid)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC in San Diego has provided training, technical assistance, and loans to refugee and low-income entrepreneurs for nearly 15 years.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: As part of the Microenterprise program, IRC’s In-Home Childcare Licensing Program offers refugees the opportunity to become a licensed in-home family service provider. Through a three-week comprehensive program, participants gain the necessary knowledge and skills in order to become licensed and start a family childcare business. Participants learn about business basics such as bookkeeping, financial management and marketing, how to submit the license, as well as health, nutrition, and other childcare topics.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Microenterprise Program Intern will provide both administrative and, if possible, direct service support to the in-home childcare licensing program.

• Assist with intake and support of walk-in clients

• Assist in completing the business plan for in-home childcare entrepreneurs

• Support the business counselor in the preparation of submitting documents for clients, and work closely with the government licensing agency

• Assist with flyer and/or business plan, in general, to enhance marketing strategies

• Conduct quality assurance tasks, including self-audits

• Assist in monitoring the childcare program by conducting follow-up assessments and gathering data on outcomes

• Provide support, facilitating, and coordinating trainings

• Conduct outreach and participate in public events as needed

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Gain insight into the implementation of a microenterprise program and the workings of serving in-home family childcare providers (FCP).

2. Learn about the needs of refugee childcare entrepreneurs.

3. Gain experience in communication working with a government agency

4. Learn how microenterprise programs track outcomes and measure success.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or certificate program

• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline (business, economics, finance, social sciences or outstanding current undergraduate pursuing a relevant degree “Preferred “.)

• Experience with both administrative work and direct service with diverse populations

• Excellent organization skills, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to effectively collaborate

• English fluency required, proficiency in a refugee language (Dari, Pashto, Farsi, or Arabic) a plus

This position reports to the Microenterprise Program Supervisor

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Working Environment:

• The Microenterprise Internship includes both remote and in-person hours on select days.

• San Diego & El Cajon Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours based on this window of availability.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.