SCOPE OF WORK
The Summer 2024 Economic Empowerment – Matching Grant Intern assists IRC Louisville Matching Grant (MG) clients in achieving self-sufficiency through support in the resume, pre-application, and interview stages of securing jobs. This position works closely with the Matching Grant Caseworker to ensure clients receive seamless and high-quality services and that IRC Louisville meets Matching Grant program requirements. This position interacts with clients regularly, helps build employment skills, and helps refugees navigate community resources to achieve self-sufficiency.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide equal treatment to all client groups in accordance with the agency’s commitment to the dignity of all persons
- Assist MG Case Worker in completing eligibility assessments and MG enrollments.
- Create individualized Self-Sufficiency Plans with MG clients to identify and strategize on how to remove barriers to economic self-sufficiency.
- Collaborate with clients to create family budgets and provide resources to reduce expenses as needed
- Perform activities related to removing barriers to self-sufficiency such as helping clients secure state IDs, open bank accounts, public transportation orientation, etc.
- Maintain up-to-date and accurate casefiles and case notes, and complete regular casefile review.
- Track service provision through electronic data entry and organize required client documentation.
- Manage distribution and tracking of in-kind donations to MG clients.
- 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.