Youth Programming 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.

BACKGROUND: Over the past eight years, the Refugee Youth Program at IRC NJ has developed partnerships with Union, Essex, and Hudson County public schools, community-based organizations, and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New Jersey. The Refugee Youth Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools.

SCOPE OF WORK: The goal of the youth programs is to help recently arrived refugee and immigrant children, and youth adapt successfully to elementary, middle, and high schools and prepare for college, career, and beyond while meeting their short and long-term educational needs and supporting refugee youth’s social-emotional well-being and English language development.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The Youth Education Programs at the IRC in Elizabeth support newly arrived refugee and immigrant youth, their families, and their schools with the school adjustment process and preparation for college and beyond. Refugee Youth Program Interns will assist with a variety of support services and programs. The Youth Program Intern will assist the Youth Programs Coordinator with parent/student outreach, program design and implementation for afterschool programming such as Youth Mentoring, youth workshops, Empower Tutoring and Teen Service Days. Youth Program Interns will also provide related support services to youth and their families as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities Include, but are not limited to:

• Provide or secure interpretation services as needed to inform students and parents about youth programming details and related information.

• Input case notes into IRC platforms.

• Create and translate flyers for youth programs.

• Translate flyers and documents needed for youth programs.

• Assist staff in welcoming, accompanying, and supporting students at after school youth programs.

• Participate in staff development and team meetings and workshops.

• Under the supervision of the Youth Program Specialist, assess and monitor family needs and make appropriate referrals.

• Assist with program design and implementation.

• Complete related tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Youth Programs Coordinator.

Learning Objectives:

• The intern will learn about refugee resettlement issues and processes.

• The intern will develop outreach and advocacy skills.

• The intern will develop direct client service skills.

• The intern will develop program design and implementation skills.

• The intern will develop culturally responsive practice skills.

Requirements:

• Fluency in a second language required (i.e., Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Dari)
• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, education, public health, or related fields.

• Experience working with children and youth along with parents specifically in the context of educational and social programs.

• Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly desirable.

• Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and take initiative

• Shows empathy, patience, cooperation, and interpersonal skills while working as a team and working with clients.

• Understand the need to approach and apply case management methods with the goal of client self-sufficiency and sustainability.

• Availability to commit 15-20 hours a week in person.

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.