Economic Development Intern (Summer 2026)

divh2Economic Empowerment Intern/h2pThe International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worlds 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 worlds 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 youre a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future./ppScope of work:/ppThe Economic Empowerment program assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient by providing career development training and financial coaching. Our program assists clients in obtaining education, apprenticeships, jobs, financial coaching and microloans to promote self-sufficiency. The intern will work closely with the Economic Empowerment team to help promote client economic growth and encourage clients to work towards their long-term goals./ppResponsibilities:/pulliWork directly with IRC Employment Specialists and Financial Coaches to implement and monitor performance on the Career Development Program/liliTeach Advanced Job Readiness Trainings including: introduction to career development, business writing, networking, interview preparation and financial literacy/liliCounsel and guide clients through the process of working towards long-term career goals by providing: individual trainings, resume and cover letter preparation, one-on-one job application assistance, etc./liliProvide group and individual trainings aimed at successful workforce integration/liliAccompany clients to job preparation activities and interviews; coach clients on interview preparation/liliAssist clients in setting up bank accounts, teach financial literacy workshops and assist clients with loan applications/liliAssist clients in completing new hire paperwork, employment program documentation and other administrative tasks as needed/liliAudit employment program files to ensure documentation adheres to program requirements and update program databases regularly/liliAdvocate for clients rights in the labor market by providing references for clients and meeting with employers to educate them about the benefits of hiring IRC clients/liliOther duties as identified by Employment Specialists/li/ulpLearning Objectives:/pulliIntern will learn to create effective professional and job specific resumes and cover letters/liliIntern will learn how to cater curricula to fit federal guidelines while remaining responsive to employer/client needs/liliIntern will learn to communicate effectively with clients and interpreters/liliIntern will learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower clients/liliIntern will learn effective outreach strategies for building strategic relationships/liliIntern will learn about how to adapt training curriculum to clients needs and how to teach necessary life skills and professional development in a group setting/liliIntern will learn about how to successfully and appropriately advocate for clients rights and needs in the labor market/liliIntern will learn about networking, financial literacy and how to obtain a professional job/liliIntern will learn how to implement program safeguards to protect domestic violence survivors, vulnerable population and to empower women/li/ulpQualifications:/pulliSelf-motivated; able to work independently/liliAbility to collaborate with fellow interns to create/teach trainings. This is a team-focused internship./liliExcellent communication and writing skills/liliWorks well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change/liliConfident in public speaking or interest to develop these skills/liliStrong interest in refugee and asylee issues as well as in workforce development/liliLanguage skills in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Hindi or Swahili are a plus/liliThree month minimum. Required 20+ hours/week. Preferred 35+ hours/week./liliPreference to current students and recent graduates./li/ulpTo 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 May 22, 2026./ppThis position is for the Summer semester and requires a minimum commitment of 20 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required./ppSummer 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on June 1st, 2026 from 9:15AM-3:30PM. We currently offer internships during the following semesters:/ppSpring: January May/ppSummer: June August/ppFall: September December/ppInternships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date./ppNote: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Summer 2026 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 Community Engagement Coordinator Michalina Kulesza at View email address on click.appcast.io./pp*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./ppTo 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./ppIRC 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./ppAll 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./p/div