Curriculum & Instruction Intern (Unpaid)

Company: International Rescue Committee
Location: Elizabeth
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

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. BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, the IRC provides resettlement, education, and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people. Over the past eight years, the Refugee Youth Program at IRC NJ has developed partnerships with Union, Essex, and Hudson County public schools, community-based organizations, and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee youth and their communities in New Jersey. The Refugee Youth Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee youth, their parents and families, and their schools. SCOPE OF WORK: The goal of the youth programs is to help refugee and immigrant children and youth adapt successfully to elementary, middle, and high schools and prepare for college, career, and beyond while meeting their short and long-term educational needs and supporting refugee/immigrant youth’s social-emotional well-being and English language development. RESPONSIBILITIES: The Youth Education Programs at the IRC in Elizabeth support refugee and immigrant youth, their families, and their schools with the school adjustment process and preparation for college and beyond. The Curriculum intern will support the Mini Newcomer Youth Summer Academy by leading one week of instruction, developing age-appropriate lesson plans and digital tools, providing classroom and operational support, and facilitating classroom activities. They will collaborate closely with other teachers and Social Emotional Asset Development interns to ensure high-quality social-emotional learning experiences for participating youth. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: • Develop lesson plan for a targeted age and proficiency level for one week of instruction. • Assist with monitoring and evaluation of English pre/post assessments and classroom observational assessments. • Support the creation and development of age-appropriate lesson plans and activities. • Collaborate with SEAD Interns to facilitate Social Emotional Learning Instruction • Collaborate effectively with teachers and fellow interns to support program delivery. • Provide additional classroom support as needed. • Co-facilitate lessons and activities to engage and support youth participants. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Student will learn how to effectively manage educational programs across a wide network. 2. The intern will learn about refugee resettlement issues and processes. 3. The intern will demonstrate foundational skills in monitoring and evaluation. 4. The intern will apply principles of age-appropriate English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum design. 5. The intern will support the creation of effective learning environments. 6. The intern will strengthen professional collaboration and communication skills. 7. The intern will enhance instructional support abilities. 8. The intern will develop basic digital content creation skills. 9. The intern will build facilitation skills in youth-centered programming. REQUIREMENTS: Interns must be based in US, must be a US citizen or have US work authorization, must be enrolled in post-secondary institution or have graduated from a post- secondary institution within last 2 years. Requirements include: • Currently pursuing or have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, education, public health, or related fields. • Experience working with children and youth in the context of educational and social programs. • Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly desirable. • Fluency in a second language preferred (i.e., Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Pashto, Farsi, Kiswahili, and Haitian Creole). • Ability to work independently and collaboratively. • Experience using Microsoft and digital platforms such as: Excel, Forms, Word, Canva. • Shows empathy, patience, cooperation, and interpersonal skills while working as a team and working with clients. • Has a high understanding or working knowledge of lesson planning and curriculum. • Availability to commit 15–20 hours a week in person. 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. Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles. Equal Opportunity Employer: 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.

Keywords: International Rescue Committee, Union , Curriculum & Instruction Intern (Unpaid), Education / Teaching , Elizabeth, New Jersey