SCOPE OF WORK:

The Strategic Communications Intern helps execute strategic communications for the IRC in Northern California, supporting with both content creation and increasing reach and engagement. This is a dynamic internship with opportunities to gain experience in non-profit communications—from fundraising to advocacy to working with local media, elected leaders, and community partners. 

RESPONSIBILITES: General responsibilities could include, but are not limited to the following: 

  • Support the Communications & Advocacy Coordinator with start-to-finish content creation for communications channels like social media, websites, newsletters, marketing collateral, and more. 
  • Help identify and create compelling stories to mobilize community support for our work. 
  • Create communications resources to educate and increase the capacity of the IRC’s staff, including toolkits with content templates in Canva. 
  • Create a directory of media outlets in Northern California, including research on journalists interested in the IRC’s work. 
  • Assist with improvements to our local and regional webpages. 
  • Provide support planning and promoting events. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

  • Develop experience in non-profit strategic communications and external relations, including the development of strategic messaging 
  • Develop multimedia storytelling skills, from sourcing content and interviewing newcomers to writing, graphic design (primarily using Canva), and other mediums like video, audio slideshows, and more. 
  • Gain exposure to other non-profit administrative functions, including development/fundraising and advocacy. 
  • Understand the objectives and operations of the IRC as a humanitarian organization. 

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Interest in pursuing a career in non-profit communications, such as current and recently graduated college students and individuals pursuing similar experience through non-formal educational opportunities. 
  • Passion for creating equitable opportunities for everyone, including refugees, immigrants, and people of color. 
  • Basic understanding or desire to learn about forced migration—preferably through lived experience as a first- or second-generation refugee or asylum-seeker. 
  • Ability to quickly learn new communications tools, from social media to graphic design.  
  • Comfort navigating Windows computer systems, including elementary understanding of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and to a lesser extent, Excel. 
  • Ability to work independently and communicate needs or roadblocks effectively. 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: 

  • Location: Fully remote; Any time zone; Flexible service hours.
  • Length of service: Negotiable (6-9 months commitment preferred)
  • Intern must have a workspace they can effectively complete their service from during regularly scheduled work hours (any time zone in the U.S.). Intern must use their own laptop/equipment.
  • All positions are contingent upon clearing a $40 background check vetting process through HireRight. 

COMPENSATION: This is an unpaid internship but can qualify for many university programs offering academic credit or other funding. Recognizing circumstances that prevent many applicants from pursuing unpaid opportunities, this position’s schedule and number of hours are flexible to allow for other life commitments, including variable work schedules. 

STANDARD OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. 

COMMITMENT TO GENDER, EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures. 

TO APPLY

Complete an online application at https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer. Please submit a cover letter (including desired position, availability and motivation for applying) and resume. You will be contacted for a phone screening and next steps. All volunteer and internships are part-time, unpaid positions and require clearing a $40 background check through HireRight.  
 
If your school requires any documentation or agreement for a volunteer or internship position, please reach out to [email protected] prior to the phone screening.