Economic Empowerment Intern

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SCOPE OF WORK: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Phoenix integrates education, case management, & employment services to assist individuals in achieving economic self-sufficiency & self-reliance. IRC works with refugees, asylees, & victims of trafficking, most with limited English proficiency, to overcome barriers to success by offering client-centered services including case management, basic skills education, work readiness training, & job placement. Through these services, IRC clients are prepared to be successful in transitional employment and are on track for being higher education and career ready.

Early employment is crucial for resettling refugees, as the funding the IRC receives expires between 60-180 days from the date of arrival. Some clients struggle to adapt to American life and require additional coaching & confidence-building to gain employment. Others are highly skilled and must work in a transitional job before they can return to their career path.

The Economic Empowerment Intern will work with vulnerable populations and with clients who aspire to advance into their career of choice. While these two groups are different, they both require guidance and additionally support.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of the Employment Supervisor, the intern will assist with the following:

• Build a peer support project to help single-mothers, survivors of torture, physically disabled and other vulnerable populations to build confidence through networking, skill-building and community integration;
• Organize classes / groups, build curriculum and find community events for peer support engagements;
• Identify community events and networking groups to help expose clients to the American networking scene and American culture;
• Assist clients with career development by teaching resume workshops, LinkedIn workshops, enroll in GED programs / certification programs, apprenticeships, etc.;
• Accompany clients to networking groups and prepare clients with a "pitch;"
• Accompany clients and IRC staff to on-site vocational training venues;
• Provide specialized instruction for individual clients;
• Other relevant program support duties, as assigned

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be an organized, detail-oriented self-starter
• Must possess cultural sensitivity & excellent cross-cultural communication skills
• Should have a strong desire to help people & work on a diverse team;
• Must be patient, flexible, & creative
• Education or experience in Human Resource Development, Adult Education, or Instructional Design preferred, although not required