Youth and Livelihoods Intern at the Women's Refugee Commission

The Women’s Refugee Commission is an evidence-based advocacy organization that advocates for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and young people, including those seeking asylum—bringing about lasting, measurable change. 
The Women’s Refugee Commission is legally part of the International Rescue Committee, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. The Women’s Refugee Commission receives no direct financial support from the IRC.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Intern will provide overall support to the Displaced Youth Initiative. This multi-year global research and advocacy initiative aims to increase attention and support for non-formal education and livelihoods development programs that help prepare young women and men for wage and self-employment during and after displacement, and support their transitions to adulthood. In partnership with displaced youth, we are mapping existing services and innovative practices; identifying gaps, needs and priorities of displaced youth; and recommending strategies to meet youth needs to earn income through safe and dignified work.

PRODUCTS AND ACTIVITIES (will include some or all of the following):

1. Conduct desk research and analysis on available evidence and lessons learned from innovative livelihoods development programs for youth in development and crisis-affected contexts.

2. Assist in synthesizing findings of a domestic field assessment focused on refugee youth who have resettled to New York City. Activities include: background research on resettlement figures, local labor markets and youth serving organizations; draft sections of report, as appropriate.

3. Support activities of the Women’s Refugee Commission’s Youth Advisory Group, comprised of young people from conflict-affected countries to help guide and inform the initiative. 
4. Participate in the development and maintenance of a new monitoring and evaluation system to capture progress toward meeting advocacy objectives for the Youth and Livelihoods Initiative.

5. Attend meetings as a representative of the Women’s Refugee Commission, taking notes and summarizing relevant information in written form.

6. Research prospective donors for the initiative, and field partners for potential pilot projects.

7. Contribute to a database of organizations and actors working on youth-related livelihoods development issues for advocacy, communications and networking purposes.

8. Assist with administrative duties, including drafting letters, editing reports and other activities as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Excellent research, knowledge management, analysis and writing skills, with specific interest in gender analysis.

• Strong background in international relief and development, with knowledge and interest in conflict-affected youth livelihoods development and transitions-to-work activities.

• Experience working with young people and/or in developing countries a plus.

• Excellent communication and computer skills.

• Comfortable taking initiative and working with minimal supervision. Team player.

• Recent or current graduate student.