Community Engagement Intern (Fall 2026)

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 aim of community engagement is to establish strong, mutually-beneficial connections between the community and the IRC in Silver Spring order to garner monetary, in-kind and volunteer resources for humanitarian immigrant clients. The Community Engagement Intern will work towards these goals in order to enhance the IRC in Silver Spring's ability to meet newcomer client needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct outreach to and coordinate meetings with community partners to recruit volunteers based on volunteer needs.

• Support overall volunteer programming by onboarding volunteers, researching volunteer best practices, and suggesting changes to programs based on volunteer feedback.

• Assist in planning events to recognize community partners and volunteers and deepen engagement with the community.

• Support in the creation of content for social media, the IRC website, monthly newsletter and outreach materials.

• Track community partnerships across IRC in Silver Spring programs.

• Coordinate in-kind donation opportunities

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Intern will acquire detailed knowledge of programs available for refugees and asylees by way of a humanitarian non-profit.

• Intern will learn to communicate effectively with clients across cultures.

• Intern will learn reporting requirements for resettlement agencies and how to capture data to improve services

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum commitment of 20 hours per week. Availability for some weeknights and weekends required.

• Ability to work in-person required.

• Passionate about immigration, refugees and serving others.

• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a fast-paced environment.

• Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Application deadline: August 21st, 2026

This position is for the Fall semester and requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required.

Fall 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on September 7th, 2026 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. Fall 2026 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 Michalina Kulesza at michalina.kulesza@rescue.org.

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.