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.

Scope of work: 

The Financial Capability Program (FinCap) as part of the Economic Empowerment Program supports clients to become financially independent through financial education, credit building, coaching and providing low-interest loan products. FinCap services include financial education and counseling that help clients understand banking, budgeting, savings, debt management, building credit, auto and home purchase and investing and asset building. FinCap products include different various-purpose small-dollar consumer loans. This program aims to empower participants and boost their confidence to manage their personal finances effectively. The Financial Capability Intern will support the program by providing financial coaching and counseling services to program participants.

Responsibilities:

• Reach out to potential clients explaining the IRC financial program services and products
• Assess client needs, develop short-term and long-term financial goals and enroll clients in relevant programming
• Assist financial coaches with scheduling, client meetings and financial workshops
• Facilitate financial literacy workshops for clients
• Lead our women’s financial empowerment program by providing gender-focused workshops aimed at increasing women’s financial participation
• Collaborate, build and maintain effective relationships with colleagues
• Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy
• Other duties as identified by IRC staff

Learning Objectives:

• Intern will learn about personal finance topics and managing personal finance methods
• Intern will gain insights into IRC casework and financial literacy programs and the process of refugee and asylee integration within the United States
• Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients across cultures and with interpreters
• Intern will learn individual coaching techniques to engage and empower adults
• Intern will learn about financial literacy topics, financial systems and how to navigate them effectively
• Intern will lean presentation and inter-personal skills

Qualifications:

• Self-motivated; able to work independently
• Ability to collaborate with fellow interns and staff - this is a team-focused internship
• Excellent communication and writing skills, including cross-cultural communicative skills
• Works well in a fast-paced environment and adapts quickly to change
• Confident in public speaking or interest to develop these skills
• Strong interest in refugee and asylee issues
• Language skills in Amharic, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, French, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, or Swahili are a plus
• Three months minimum.  Required 20+ hours/week.  Preferred 35+ hours/week
• Preference to current students and recent graduates*

TO APPLY

Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter and list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline for applying is 01/04/2027. 

This position is for the Spring 2027 semester and requires a minimum commitment of 3 months and 20 hours per month. 40 hours per week preferred. Preferred start date is January 25th.

Spring 2027 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on Jan 25th, 2027, from 9:15AM-3:30PM.

We currently offer internships during the following semesters:

Spring: January – May
Summer: June – August
Fall: September – December

Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date.

Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Spring 2027 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 Lalah Ehrari [email protected].

*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. 

To 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. 

IRC 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.

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.

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Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC 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.