Digital Resources, Products and Engagement (DRPE) Intern

Position description

About IRAP’s Mission

IRAP is a global legal aid and advocacy organization working to create a world where refugees and all people seeking safety are empowered to claim their right to freedom of movement and a path to lasting refuge. Everyone should have a safe place to live and a safe way to get there.

About IRAP’s Model

Driven by the experiences and needs of displaced people, IRAP’s work integrates legal aid, strategic litigation, policy advocacy, media advocacy, and legal information to uphold and advance the rights of people seeking safety around the world. With offices in the United States, Jordan, Lebanon, and Germany, and an extensive network of pro bono attorneys, student advocates, and partners, IRAP works to maximize the reach of its global legal assistance and advocacy. IRAP is an adaptive organization built to respond to rapidly evolving human displacement events. The organization collaborates with clients and partners to identify gaps in support for displaced people that IRAP is positioned to fill through its direct legal services, legal knowledge sharing, and systemic advocacy.

About the Digital Resources, Products, and Engagement Department

IRAP’s Digital Resources, Products, and Engagement Department (DRPE) focuses on delivering critical legal information to refugees and other displaced persons in a way that is engaging, accessible, and useful. DRPE collaborates with teams across IRAP, as well as external partners, to develop and disseminate resources that provide all displaced persons – not just IRAP’s clients – with the tools they need to make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones. We work in a multitude of languages and formats to create resources that are user-friendly and complementary to IRAP’s client services. 

Opportunity

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) is seeking a summer intern to support the Digital Resources, Products, and Engagement Department. Interns may also have the opportunity to work with other departments at IRAP. In addition to gaining experience in design, user research, and user experience, our intern will also have the opportunity to learn about legal issues related to refugee resettlement, behavior change communications, trauma-informed research approaches, and using technology in low-connectivity areas. This is an ideal role for a design or communications student interested in broadening their knowledge of social impact work, an international development/IR student who wants to dive into the world of communications for development, or a law student eager to build their skills in outreach and engagement. 

Possible Responsibilities

• The intern’s responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

   

  •  
  • Supporting the design, development, and distribution of new resources (text and multimedia), including input on strategy and execution.
  • Conducting and/or analyzing qualitative and quantitative user research.
  • Working with subject matter experts to maintain and update legal information resources in a variety of formats.
  • Helping with the creation and implementation of internal systems to streamline DRPE’s work.
  • Coordination with partners for content dissemination.
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Education:

   

  Note: If you are concerned that your degree program does not fall into one of the categories above, but your experience aligns with the rest of this job description, we encourage you to apply.

   

  Experience:

   

  Values, Competencies and Skills:

   

  Students with lived experience with displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.

  •  
  • Graduate or undergraduate degree preferably  in international relations/ international development, communications (including marketing, advertising, and media production), Journalism, design, law or equivalent.
  • Experience developing social media content for organizations preferred.
  • Experience developing communications campaigns preferred.
  • Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative user research preferred.
  • Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
  • Sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations.
  • Initiative to see projects through and ability to multitask.
  • Excellent English communication skills.
  • A strong interest in refugee processing, immigration law, human rights, and communications for development/digital development/ICT4D.
  • A desire to learn.
  • Spoken and written proficiency in a non-English language, particularly Spanish, Arabic, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Haitian Kreyol, Russian, Swahili, or Somali preferred.

Internship-related Requirements

• • This internship is based in NY, DC, or remote within the US.
  • This internship is 100% remote.
  • This internship does not require travel.
  • This internship does not require office availability.
  • This internship requires a work authorization in the United States.

Compensation/School Credit

IRAP can host interns/externs in two ways:

–Paid internship where students are compensated $16 per hour (or intern’s state minimum wage to be applied) for 40 hours per week.

–Non-compensated positions for academic credit(s) (must be coordinated in collaboration with an applicant’s school)

Duration

This is a full-time position and requires a 10-week commitment beginning on May 27, 2025. If you are only able to work part-time (for example, if you are a part-time student), or unable to begin on May 27, 2025, please still apply and we will review your application. 

Application Process

Please submit the following materials here. We will only review complete applications.

A 1-page cover letter describing your interest in working with IRAP, including any relevant life or work experience. Please address your cover letter to: “Intern/Extern Hiring Committee”.

A 1-2 page resume.

A portfolio of relevant communications and design work, if available.

A list of 2-3 professional references. (Faculty members are acceptable.)

We will prioritize review of applications sent by February 28th, 2025, so interested students should apply as soon as possible.

IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.

Qualifications

Education:

• Graduate or undergraduate degree preferably in international relations/ international development, communications (including marketing, advertising, and media production), Journalism, design, law or equivalent. 

  Note: If you are concerned that your degree program does not fall into one of the categories above, but your experience aligns with the rest of this job description, we encourage you to apply.

• Experience:

  • Experience developing social media content for organizations preferred.
  • Experience developing communications campaigns preferred.
  • Experience conducting qualitative and/or quantitative user research preferred.

Values, Competencies and Skills:
 

• • Strong research, writing, and analytical skills.

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

  • Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite preferred.

  • Sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations.
  • Initiative to see projects through and ability to multitask.
  • Excellent English communication skills.
  • A strong interest in refugee processing, immigration law, human rights, and communications for development/digital development/ICT4D.
  • A desire to learn.
  • Spoken and written proficiency in a non-English language, particularly Spanish, Arabic, Dari/Farsi, Pashto, Haitian Kreyol, Russian, Swahili, or Somali preferred.
  •  
  • Students with lived experience with displacement are strongly encouraged to apply.
  •  
  • Internship-related Requirements:
• • This internship is based in NY, DC, or remote within the US.
  • This internship is 100% remote.
  • This internship does not require travel.
  • This internship does not require office availability.
  • This internship requires a work authorization in the United States.

Application instructions

Application Process

Please submit the following materials here. We will only review complete applications.

A 1-page cover letter describing your interest in working with IRAP, including any relevant life or work experience. Please address your cover letter to: “Intern/Extern Hiring Committee”.

A 1-2 page resume.

A portfolio of relevant communications and design work, if available.

A list of 2-3 professional references. (Faculty members are acceptable.)

We will prioritize review of applications sent by February 28th, 2025, so interested students should apply as soon as possible.

IRAP is an equal-opportunity employer; people of color and individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. IRAP does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, ethnic background, religion, political orientation, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or any other protected class. We consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of all local, state, and federal laws related to the Fair Chance Act.