Virtual Services Intern

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.

DEPARTMENT: U.S. Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI)

TEAM: Virtual Services

LOCATION: Fully virtual

RECRUITMENT WINDOW: Fall

START DATE: October 15, 2026

DURATION: At minimum through March 31, 2027 but can be extended further

SUPERVISED BY: Virtual Matching Grant & Virtual Program of Initial Resettlement Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises survive, recover, and rebuild their lives. In the United States, the IRC supports refugees, asylees, and other immigrants through resettlement, employment, workforce development, and integration services delivered across its network of offices. This fully remote internship sits specifically on the Virtual Services team at IRC headquarters.

Matching Grant (MG) is a federally funded economic self-sufficiency program that helps refugees, asylees, and humanitarian parolees achieve self-sufficiency through employment. The Virtual Program of Initial Resettlement (VPIR) supports newly arrived clients with core resettlement services during their first months in the United States. This internship will provide structured learning about Matching Grant's employment services — including job search assistance, employer outreach, and career counseling — while also offering exposure to VPIR service delivery.

SCOPE OF SERVICE:

Under the supervision of the VMG/VPIR Coordinator, the intern will learn about and participate in guided activities related to the Coordinator's employment services and resettlement caseload. The intern will receive mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals and participate in activities designed for educational development. The intern's activities are designed for educational benefit and are not intended to replace or supplement the work of the Coordinator. The Coordinator will provide regular feedback, coaching, and evaluation based on the intern's learning progress, not productivity.

EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT:

The Virtual Services Intern will gain insight into how employment services and initial resettlement support are delivered to a virtual caseload, how job readiness training is structured, and how employment placement contributes to refugees' economic self-sufficiency. The internship is designed to build the intern's knowledge and professional skills in this field.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• The intern will gain exposure to and guided practice in employment services, including job search support, employer engagement, and career counseling.
• The intern will deepen understanding of the Matching Grant program and refugee economic self-sufficiency.
• The intern will gain exposure to the refugee resettlement process and the public benefits system.
• The intern will develop skills in case management databases, digital communication tools, and program data reporting.

SUPERVISED LEARNING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• Observe and participate in guided client job search activities led by the VMG/VPIR Coordinator, including learning how job openings are identified, how resumes and applications are prepared, and how interview skills are practiced.
• Observe employer outreach efforts led by the Coordinator and participate in guided exercises on identifying job leads and documenting employer partnerships.
• Observe basic career counseling and coaching provided by the Coordinator, and practice under supervision how to help clients identify employment goals and next steps.
• Participate in guided learning on pre-arrival and early resettlement tasks under the Virtual Program of Initial Resettlement, including supervised research on housing and community resources.
• Observe one-on-one job readiness training sessions facilitated by the Coordinator, covering topics such as resume-building, interview preparation, and workplace expectations.
• Participate in supervised exercises creating community asset maps with clients to learn how to identify local employment, education, and support resources.
• Learn to document client interactions in case management databases through guided practice, with the Coordinator reviewing entries and providing feedback.
• Participate in guided learning on data management, including data entry, data cleaning, and program reporting, with feedback from the Coordinator.
• This internship is intended to complement academic coursework and may qualify for academic credit, depending on university requirements.

TRAINING ACTIVITIES:

• Observation
• Participation in team meetings
• Guided assignments
• Supervised practice

DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's degree required; current graduate coursework toward a master's degree preferred.
• Interest in and/or experience with job search assistance, employer outreach, or career counseling.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with clients, colleagues, and external partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Self-motivated, with strong organizational skills and the ability to engage in self-directed learning in a remote setting.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfort with digital tools for outreach, data entry, and communication.

TIME COMMITMENT:

• This internship is fully virtual; the intern must use their own laptop/equipment.
• Intern must have a private workspace where they can effectively participate in learning activities during regularly scheduled hours.
• Minimum of 15 hours per week of availability; hours must fall within business hours (9am–5pm), Monday–Friday, in any U.S. time zone.
• Onboarding and ongoing trainings are required to align with the IRC Way & organizational policies to safeguard our clients and programs.
• Participate reliably and consistently in scheduled learning sessions and team meetings.

ELIGIBILITY & ONBOARDING REQUIREMENTS:

• Interns must be located in the U.S. during the duration of the internship.
• All positions are contingent upon clearing an IRC background check through HireRight before service.
• Review and sign IRC intern policy documents and commitment paperwork.
• IRC onboarding and training:
  • IRC Way, Every Day
  • RAI Safety and Security
  • Fundamentals of Safeguarding
  • Information Security Awareness Training
  • Additional quarterly organizational trainings
• Program-specific training:
  • Virtual Services Team Orientation
  • Introduction to Matching Grant & VPIR Programs
  • Role-specific training

Interested applicants should apply online including a resume and cover letter outlining their interest in the position and relevant skills. Applications will be reviewed, and, if selected, candidates will be contacted for an interview.

This internship is structured for educational benefit and professional development. It does not constitute an employment relationship or guarantee future employment.

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.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings