🇺🇸 Internship in the United States 🤝 Asylum Seeker Program Support at a Humanitarian Organisation ⚖️

If you are a US-based student passionate about immigration, social justice, and advocacy, this internship with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in New York offers meaningful, hands-on experience. You will support a case management program for asylum seekers, helping recent arrivals access healthcare, benefits, housing, and legal services while making a real difference in their lives.

About the Organisation

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 NGOs, working in more than 40 countries and 29 US cities.

The IRC in New York is seeking interns to support a case management program for asylum seekers in New York City. Interns will support program staff in providing services to recent arrivals, including assistance accessing healthcare, public benefits, housing, and legal services. This position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in immigration advocacy while making a meaningful impact in the lives of asylum seekers and migrants.

Responsibilities

Program Orientation Support

🎤 Assist in the coordination and facilitation of group orientations for potential IRC asylum seeker program clients

📚 Collaborate with staff to develop program materials and resources

📝 Support client enrollment into programs for which they qualify

🤝 Refer ineligible clients to community resources such as local departments of social services, shelters, food banks, and crisis centers

Referral Research and Support

🔍 Conduct research on referral opportunities and available resources in New York City to enhance the support service network

🤝 Provide support to caseworkers in connecting clients to external services

🗂️ Help maintain and organise referral records and databases, incorporating client feedback

Program Administration and Development

📁 Document client interactions in accordance with established requirements

💻 Maintain client files across multiple platforms (Box, ETO, SharePoint, and others)

📊 Administer Client Satisfaction Surveys to individuals who have exited Asylum Seeker Programs

🛠️ Support the creation of internal and external tools and resources, and other duties as assigned

Learning Objectives

⚖️ Gain valuable insight into the current landscape for asylum seekers in NYC, including the legal process and social services available

❤️ Develop hands-on experience providing trauma-informed direct support to asylum seekers, enhancing your understanding of client needs and service delivery

📋 Develop skills and institutional knowledge related to program operations and administration in a new and developing area of programming at the IRC in NY

Requirements

🇺🇸 Interns must be based in the US and must be enrolled in, or have graduated within the last 2 years from, a post-secondary institution (Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, etc.); individuals with at least 2 years of direct services experience will be considered regardless of educational background

❤️ A strong interest in immigration issues, social justice, and advocacy work

🔍 Excellent research and communication skills

🤝 The ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, multilingual team environment

🗂️ Detail-oriented with strong organisational skills

💻 Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and online research tools

💬 Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment and engaging in emotional conversations on sensitive topics such as labor trafficking, domestic violence, and family separation

🌍 Previous experience in social services, community work, or immigration is a plus, but not required

🗣️ Languages: proficiency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required; proficiency in French, Pashto, Dari, Russian, Wolof, Pulaar, and Farsi is highly desirable