Summer 2024 Economic Empowerment - Benefits 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 50... countries and more than 25 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. SCOPE OF WORK The Economic Empowerment program assists refugees to become economically self-sufficient by placing recently arrived refugees in their first job in the United States. The goal of the program is to help clients reduce barriers to self-sufficiency and employment and assist clients in securing full-time employment. Clients receive public benefits as they transition to employment and obtain sufficient income to successfully pay their expenses. The Summer 2024 Economic Empowerment – Benefits Intern will work closely with the Economic Empowerment and Resettlement teams to ensure clients receive seamless and high-quality services. RESPONSIBILITIES • Provide equal treatment to all client groups in accordance with the agency's commitment to the dignity of all persons. • Orient clients to Refugee Cash Assistance and KTAP Differential programs. • Assist Caseworkers in gathering necessary documentation for submitting public benefits applications. • Transport clients to the Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) office as needed. • Regularly follow up with DCBS to check the status of public benefits applications. • Maintain accurate and up to date case files and case notes. • Regularly track service provision and cash distributions through electronic data entry. • Other duties as assigned. LEARNING OBJECTIVES • Intern will gain US resettlement agency experience in assessing new clients. • Interns will learn how to communicate effectively across cultures including by utilizing interpreters. • Intern will acquire knowledge of programs and public benefits available to humanitarian immigrants. • Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how capturing this data improves services. REQUIREMENTS • Must be a current undergraduate student, graduate student, or less than 12 months past graduation. • Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or must have active and compliant visas and work authorization status in the United States (the IRC must not be represented as a sponsor or host in any application, filing, or other context for an intern). • Primary availability during IRC business hours (M-F; 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM). • Preference given to applicants able to make multi-term commitment. • Ability to handle sensitive client information confidentially. • Strong intercultural communication skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and across language barriers. • Ability to work independently and as a part of a team • Previous experience working with vulnerable populations preferred, but not required. • Education and/or experience working in social work/social services preferred, but not required. • Comfortable with Microsoft Excel and willingness to learn to use new software for data entry. • Adherence to IRC volunteer/intern and workplace policies TRAINING & GUIDANCE In-depth training will be provided for interns to understand IRC programming and the various needs of clients accessing IRC services. Interns will receive training on IRC’s federal R&P and APA service agreements and their programmatic requirements for resettlement services. Interns with client languages who could serve as an interpreter will receive guidance on policies when interpreting. Other activity specific training will be provided as needed. Flexibility, initiative, and a desire to collaborate are essential qualities for this intern opportunity. A high-level of confidentiality is required when working with IRC clients. Please note that this is an UNPAID internship; however, IRC Louisville will provide mileage reimbursement for personal vehicle usage for client services during the internship. Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 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