Description

The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, nonprofit organization that serves women, girls, and other immigrant survivors fleeing gender-based violence. Our interdisciplinary, trauma-informed model of service combines free legal and social services with bridge-building policy advocacy and research-based training and education. Our programs efficiently and effectively leverage donated professional services from a vast network of attorneys, medical professionals, and other experts to serve as many immigrant survivors as possible. By amplifying the experiences of survivors in communities, courts, and Congress, Tahirih’s mission is to create a world in which all people share equal rights and live-in safety and with dignity. [Learn more about Tahirih’s Values, including our Commitment to Anti-Racism].

Tahirih’s Forced Marriage Initiative (FMI) is a hybrid national program composed of a direct services team and public policy program that strives to increase the awareness of forced marriage in the United States. The direct services team provides free and confidential support to individuals from anywhere in the United States who are facing forced marriages, whether domestically or internationally. The FMI chairs the National Forced Marriage Working Group, composed of national providers, survivor advocates and other professionals throughout the United States aimed to end forced marriage, and advocate for better protection at a public policy level. We are seeking an intern to support our direct client services activities. 

The intern should expect several weekly video meetings with their supervisor, Public Policy and FMI team. Weekly check-ins with the direct supervisor are strongly encouraged to maintain rapport and to give feedback on projects and discuss growing client needs. The ideal candidate will have some experience working with survivors of gender-based violence or providing support to at risk populations. Volunteer and internship experience are highly considered, especially those that involve supporting a domestic violence, sexual abuse, or human trafficking program. Experiences volunteering at a university or local crisis line, peer mentor program, or courses related to social services, advocacy, human rights, women’s rights, or trauma informed care are also strongly considered. 

Visit www.Preventforcedmarriage.org and Tahirih.org/childmarriage to learn more about the program.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The FMI intern will support our direct client services activities. Interns may assist with monitoring news and national/international developments on the issue, co-organizing FMI related training and events, maintaining our resource list, as well as assisting with administrative duties and may also attend coalition or other advocacy meetings. The FMI intern will conduct research and identify solutions to address client and service seeker needs. As appropriate, the FMI intern may be in direct contact with clients and will be expected to provide general program support such as maintaining an up-to-date record of activities with clients in the organizational database. The exact nature of the work that the intern would perform, and the level of responsibility the intern would be given, will reflect the level of education, experience of the intern, as well as the length of the internship.

Requirements

• Basic understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, or other forms of gender-based violence
• Basic experience in crisis management/crisis intervention
•  Knowledgeable in providing trauma informed care
• Experience working with at risk populations
• Able to conduct research and comfortable writing and providing feedback on such research with a sharp attention to detail
• Evidence of creativity and perseverance in identifying solutions
• Evidence of ability to maintain client and program confidentiality
• Enrollment or previous enrollment in a relevant undergraduate or graduate program
• A strong work ethic, including the ability to work independently as well as the discernment to seek further guidance as needed

Compensation: Tahirih pays interns a $5000 stipend for completing 300 hours over the course of the semester (prorated to the number of hours actually completed). 

Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Submissions: Please submit a resume and a short cover letter that clearly demonstrates your interest in Tahirih’s work. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Candidates must be withing commuting distance of one of Tahirih's offices located in Falls Church, VA, Atlanta, GA, Baltimore MD or Houston, TX. 

Tahirih Justice Center is committed to equal opportunity and promotes equity and transparency as core values. Tahirih practices inclusiveness in decision making through the use of consultation with employees throughout the organization. Tahirih does not discriminate against any person on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, ability, gender, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Applicants committed to equity from all backgrounds, experiences, abilities and identities are encouraged to apply.