Community Engagement AmeriCorps VISTA

About the role

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.

About the role

This opportunity with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) supports the Amplifying Client Voices project, which integrates refugee (clients) feedback and active participation into key organizational programs, fostering a more inclusive and client-driven approach.

Over three years, with VISTA support, clients will be engaged in shaping newsletters, social media, volunteer opportunities, internships, in-kind donations and outreach events. By creating structured opportunities for clients to provide feedback and participate directly, the project will empower individuals, amplify their voices and build community.

The culmination of this initiative will be the establishment of a Client Ambassador Program, providing ongoing leadership opportunities for clients to influence and advocate for the organization's future development.

Member Duties

The VISTA will support clients and community engagement by producing a monthly external newsletter and social media posts, identifying client engagement strategies, and drafting a proposal to integrate client feedback. The member will be an integral part of the community engagement team and initiatives, and will develop strategies to integrate client feedback into programs.

The member will gather and analyze client feedback by designing a client feedback method, creating a client survey model, and identifying client selection methods and communication channels. After workshopping the client feedback method, the VISTA will integrate the feedback mechanism and present their findings to staff, ultimately strengthening the community engagement program and its impact.

This will culminate in the development of community engagement program standard operating procedures (SOPs) integrating the client feedback mechanism into programming for long-term poverty reduction.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience and interest in community engagement and/or communications preferred.
• Prior experience and interest working with refugees and immigrants preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluency in English required.

TMA AmeriCorps VISTA Information

• The IRC is proud to partner with Transform Mid-Atlantic (TMA), AmeriCorps VISTA in posting this requisition.
• Transform Mid-Atlantic is a non-profit membership association of colleges, universities and non-profits that aims to strengthen the capacity of member institutions.
• AmeriCorps VISTA helps individuals and communities implement grassroots solutions designed to alleviate poverty.

Founded as Volunteers to Service in America in 1965, the program places individuals at nonprofit organizations and public agencies that are fighting literacy, improving health services, reducing unemployment, increasing housing opportunities, reducing recidivism, and expanding access to technology for those living in rural and urban areas of poverty across America.

Program Benefits

• Childcare assistance if eligible,
• Education award upon successful completion of service,
• Health Coverage*,
• Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend,
• Living Allowance (determined by host site location),
• Relocation Allowance.

*For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit

Terms

• Car recommended,
• Permits working at another job during off hours,
• Permits attendance at school during off hours.

Service Areas: Community Outreach, Community and Economic Development.

Skills

Communications, Community Organization, Non-Profit Management, Team Work, Social Services.

To Apply

Applicants must complete an application on the AmeriCorps VISTA eGrants platform to be considered for this role:

• This position is for September 2026 - September 2027.
• This position is contingent on available funding.

To protect our clients, the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients, and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients.

• Instructions will be provided after you have been selected to intern or volunteer.
• IRC leading the way from harm to home.
• If you need assistance in the application or hiring process to accommodate a disability, you may request an accommodation at any time.
• Please contact Talent Acquisitions at.

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.

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.