Fall 2026 Refugee Employment Intern (UNPAID)

About the role

The Refugee Employment Intern supports the Employment Services team in helping refugees, asylees, and other eligible clients achieve economic self-sufficiency through meaningful employment. Working under the supervision of Employment Specialists, the intern assists with employment preparation, employer engagement, client support, and administrative tasks that contribute to successful workforce integration.

Responsibilities

• Aid clients with job readiness activities, including resume development, job applications, interview preparation, and basic workplace expectations.
• Support Employment Specialists in conducting employment orientations and workshops.
• Help clients search for employment opportunities that align with their skills, experience, and career goals.
• Aid in scheduling interviews, employment appointments, and follow-up meetings.
• Provide administrative support by maintaining accurate client records, updating case files, and entering data into agency databases.
• Communicate with employers to confirm interviews, employment placements, and hiring documentation as directed.
• Coordinate employment-related events such as job fairs, hiring events, and workforce development workshops.
• Support clients with employment documentation, including applications, onboarding paperwork, and employment verification forms.
• Research local employment opportunities, workforce training programs, and community resources.
• Collaborate with interpreters and multicultural staff to ensure effective communication with clients.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold professional and ethical standards while working with client information.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Employment Services program.

Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduate, in social work, human services, public administration, international studies, business, psychology, or a related field.
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Interest in refugee resettlement, workforce development, immigration, or nonprofit services.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and basic computer applications.
• Experience working with diverse populations is preferred.
• Additional language proficiency is a plus.

Learning Outcomes

Through this internship, participants will gain experience in refugee resettlement and employment services, workforce development and career coaching, case management documentation and data management, employer engagement and community partnerships, cross-cultural communication and trauma-informed client service, nonprofit operations and program administration.

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.