Position Overview

The Strategic Partnerships and Storytelling Program Assistant will support IRC Northern California’s efforts to strengthen services for survivors of trafficking by building community partnerships, securing in-kind goods and professional services, and expanding general operating support through local corporate and foundation outreach. This role directly contributes to ensuring survivors have access to critical resources such as housing support, legal services, mental health care, and economic empowerment programming.

This position combines relationship-building, strategic research, and ethical storytelling to help sustain and grow anti-trafficking programming across the region. The intern will assist with outreach to local businesses and funders, support Letters of Inquiry and meeting preparation, and help build a regional client story bank. While a primary focus will be on elevating survivor voices, storytelling may also support other IRC programs, including economic empowerment, youth services, and community integration, to strengthen fundraising and community awareness efforts.

The intern works closely with Development and Program teams and gains hands-on experience in nonprofit growth strategy, partnership development, and trauma-informed communications.

Primary Responsibilities:

Community Partnerships & In-Kind Support

• Research and identify local businesses and service providers who can donate goods or professional services to support survivors of trafficking, including professional services, donated space, in-kind goods, third-party partners, and private funding sources
• Draft outreach emails and meeting requests to engage prospective partners
• Support documentation and tracking of donated goods and services
• Help raise community awareness of anti-trafficking programming

Business Development & General Operating Support

• Research local corporations and foundations aligned with IRC’s mission
• Assist in drafting Letters of Inquiry, LOIs, and introductory outreach communications
• Support scheduling and preparation for meetings with prospective funders and partners
• Develop briefing materials that communicate IRC NorCal’s local impact and funding priorities
• Track submissions, deadlines, and outcomes in Salesforce.

Client Storytelling & Impact

• Conduct client interviews in partnership with program staff to gather strengths-based impact stories
• Draft compelling narratives for donor communications, community outreach, and potential local media engagement to increase awareness
• Develop, organize, and maintain a regional story bank categorized by program and theme
• Ensure all storytelling aligns with IRC consent, confidentiality, and trauma-informed standards

Learning Objectives

• Gain hands-on experience in nonprofit development, community partnerships, and fundraising strategy
• Develop professional skills in outreach, stakeholder engagement, and business development
• Strengthen interviewing and narrative writing abilities through ethical, strengths-based storytelling
• Learn how humanitarian organizations responsibly share client stories while protecting dignity and confidentiality
• Build research skills to identify funding and partnership opportunities
• Understand how diversified revenue and storytelling sustain programs serving refugees and survivors

Requirements:

• Strong interest in nonprofit development, journalism, communications, public policy, or social justice
• Passion for supporting refugees, immigrants, and survivors of trafficking
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong interviewing skills or demonstrated interest in storytelling and narrative writing
• Strong research and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
• Professional, ethical, and trauma-informed approach to client storytelling
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Familiarity with Canva, social media platforms, or digital storytelling tools is a plus

Working Environment:

• Hybrid preferred, with occasional in-person meetings or community outreach events
• Must have reliable internet and a workspace conducive to professional communication. intern must use their own laptop/equipment.
• Weekly travel to office required.
• All positions are contingent upon clearing a background check at no cost to the applicant

This is a paid internship to support first-generation students and can qualify for many university programs offering academic credit or other funding.

Union Eligible:
This position is represented by the OPEIU union and subject to the terms and conditions of a collective bargaining agreement.

Compensation: (Pay Range: 22.89 - 24.00) Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

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.

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 the following benefits to short term employees in the US: 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, sick leave, 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.