Housing & Logistics Intern (Fall 2024)

Background: 
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 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. 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 Role: 
Providing housing is a core component of the resettlement process that creates a sense of safety and stability that is crucial to the success of newly arrived refugees. The Housing & Logistics Intern will assist the housing staff to secure and coordinate the furnishing of safe, sanitary, and affordable housing for newly arrived refugees in the greater Richmond area.

Learning Objectives:

• The housing & logistics intern will develop skills in problem solving, client services, intercultural social work, and housing logistics navigation
• The housing & logistics intern will gain US resettlement agency experience in assessing program needs
• The housing & logistics intern will acquire knowledge of programs and public benefits available to humanitarian immigrants

Responsibilities:

·Assist in research and development of client facing housing education materials  

·Provide follow up housing support to clients, facilitate communication and education about housing as needed 

·Help to establish partnerships with property owners and managers, building strong working relationships with the goal of increasing access to housing for refugee families

·Identify potential partner organizations that can support a positive resettlement experience

·Assist with various activities such as housing orientations, housing searches and applications, lease signings, and other client-facing services

·Assist with home set up and furniture delivery

·Participation in team and staff meetings

·Data entry and data tracking

Minimum Qualifications:

• ·Organized and detail-oriented
• ·Relationship building, diplomacy, and networking skills
• ·Experience with renting, moving, paying bills, and operating household appliances
• ·Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
• ·Willingness to transport clients, reliable vehicle, driver’s license, and insurance
• ·Comfortable with Microsoft Office applications and willingness to learn to use new software for data entry
• ·English fluency, spoken and written is required, proficiency in language(s) spoken by client groups is desired (especially Dari, Pashto, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, and/or Kinyarwanda)

This position is unpaid and reports to the Housing & Logistics Coordinator.

*The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlines in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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 or disability.