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Professional Mentorship Program Intern

BACKGROUND
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC Oakland Economic Development department assists clients who are seeking employment. They offer basic training and mentoring, assistance with resumes and interviews, and weekly employment and ESL classes. The empowerment specialist builds working relationships with employers and businesses for the benefit of our clients. The Professional Mentorship Program is one of the tools that the IRC uses to help support clients in their quest to establish themselves professionally in the US.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION 
The Professional Mentorship Program at IRC Oakland advances the professional development of recently resettled IRC clients as they seek to establish careers in the US. IRC clients often face structural challenges that prevent them from pursuing the careers that they want and make the job search challenging. Currently, the average median annual income of our clients is below the poverty line outlined by the Department of Health and Human Services. While resettlement programs have traditionally focused on entry-level job placement to combat this problem, there is a scarcity of longer term career advancement services to help bolster clients out of poverty. IRC Professional Mentoring Program Volunteers provide general career-based support to IRC clients, including resume building, interview preparation, career advice, and job opportunity sourcing as they look to establish themselves in the workforce.


SCOPE OF INTERNSHIP:
We are seeking a Program Management intern for the Professional Mentorship Program. The intern will source volunteers, liaise with internal IRC staff and volunteers, ensure client needs are being met, monitor the health and efficacy of the program, and develop the long-term strategy for the program. The intern will also occasionally conduct outreach to community organizations to advocate for the Professional Mentorship program and the IRC clients it serves. 


RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Coordinate with IRC staff and volunteers to ensure appropriate services are being received.
  • Assist in the process of connecting clients with mentors
  • Track the progression of client / volunteer relationships and ensure that both parties are supported.
  • Occasionally perform outreach activities to recruit additional volunteers.
  • Maintain a professional attitude and appearance as an IRC representative.
  • Other duties as assigned.


REQUIREMENTS:
  • Enthusiastic about helping others, and the desire to meet the high needs of clients.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to work sensitively with clients, partners, and colleagues in a cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary environment.
  • The ability to think creatively and problem-solve effectively.
  • Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines; the ability to think creatively and problem-solve effectively.
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
  • Familiarity with programs like Microsoft Teams and Zoom and ability to report consistently to teammates.
  • Experience in program or project management is a plus.


Preference to interns located in the Bay Area for general resource familiarity and the ability to meet clients in person as needed. However, we would gladly consider a strong candidate outside of the immediate geographic area who is amenable to working on Pacific time and putting in a bit of extra work to familiarize themselves with the regional and local context.

This Position reports to the Workforce Development Coordinator
  • This is an unpaid internship.
  • Work-related driving is eligible for reimbursement at the charitable mileage rate.
  • Internships are available for current college students, graduate students, and graduates less than 2 years post-graduation. Course credit and transcript notation are available if the student submits the appropriate paperwork to the Volunteer Specialist.

Check with your school's Internship Coordinator BEFORE accepting the hiring offer to determine if this position satisfies the criteria for receiving academic credit.


COMMITMENT: 
  • 15 hours per week minimum
  • Six months minimum commitment

To Apply: Complete an application using our online form. Please submit a cover letter (including desired position, availability, and motivation for applying) and resume in PDF form, applications lacking one or both of these will be considered incomplete.