Summer 2024: Asylum Seekers and Families Program Intern (Unpaid) – IRC Jobs in the USA

• Location: USA
• Vacancy No: N/A 
• Salary: N/A
• Organization: IRC
• Gender: Both
• Deadline: 2024-05-01

Job Description

*Please note: this is an unpaid internship. This position is anticipated to start in May 2024.* 

IRC IN SAN DIEGO BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 48 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.

SCOPE OF ASYLUM SEEKERS AND FAMILIES PROGRAM INTERN WORK: In this internship, students will have the opportunity to contribute to the Asylum Seekers and Families program as well as Survivor Advocacy Services through community engagement and outreach as well as by supporting case management.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Based on intern skills and experience, responsibilities may include a combination of program support, administrative/data support, and direct service:

• Support case management for asylum seekers and families and survivors of domestic violence and other crimes 
• Drive and accompany clients to appointments such as health check-ups, legal consults, school enrollments, etc.  
• Accompany clients on bus/metro trips to help them learn routes on the San Diego public transit system 
• Conduct outreach, including development of materials and presentations 
• Network for and develop community partnerships and collaborations 
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of Safety & Wellness Department 
• Conducting screening calls for potential clients, working with interpreters and determining eligibility for the program 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Interns will gain exposure to case management for Asylum Seekers and Survivors of Crime 
• Interns will learn about the Asylum process and services available for survivors of crime 
• Interns will expand their experience providing culturally humble services and resources 
• Interns will gain familiarity in cross-cultural communication 

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

• Education: Must be currently enrolled in an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s program focused on social work, women’s/gender studies, public health, business, communication, economics, finance, public policy, public administration, social sciences or a related field.  
• Work Experience (Preferred): Prior experience in case work, working with clients with a variety of immigration statuses, familiarity with refugee and asylee populations helpful, but not required. Demonstrated success working and communicating with people of varied English-speaking abilities strongly preferred. 
• Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, desire to learn and contribute, excellent organization and time-management skills, proactive, motivated, and flexible; ability to take direction (written and oral) and to complete tasks independently 
• Language Skills: Fluent in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Farsi, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, Swahili or Russian preferred. 
• Certificates or Licenses: Current driver license and insurance required. 
• Time Commitment: 4 months, 20-25 hours per week
• Successful clearance of IRC background check. 

This position reports to the Casework Supervisor. 

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Working Environment:

• The Asylum Seekers and Families Program Internship is in-person at the San Diego (City Heights) office with the possibility of some remote work. 
• San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours (20-25 hours/week) based on this window of availability.  

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures. 

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