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.

Position : Newcomer Youth Summer Academy Peer Mentor (Unpaid)

Reports to : Youth Education and Program Specialists , Classroom Teachers

Position Term : Orientation: June 2 6 , 202 6 , 6:00pm-8:00pm

Training: June 29- July 2, 2026 , 9:00am 5:00pm;

Program Dates: July 6 , 202 6 August 1 4 , 202 6

Shifts: Monday and Wednesday and Friday 8:00 am- 4 :00pm OR Tuesday and Thursday and Friday 8:00am 4:00pm.

Background:

Since 1999, the IRC has developed partnerships with New York City public schools, community-based organizations and local colleges and universities to support the positive development of refugee and immigrant youth and their communities in New York City . The Youth Education Program provides year-round programming working directly with refugee and immigrant youth, their parents and families, and their schools.

Position Overview:

The Newcomer Youth Summer Academy is a six-week program focusing on preparing newly arrived immigrant youth to succeed at their grade level in the New York City public school system. Up to 135 students ages 5 21 from over 20 countries will participate in academics, creative arts, physical education, social emotional learning activities, and additional educational classes . Field Trips are held on Fridays.

Peer Mentors support the students’ academic and social emotional growth during the Academy. Peer Mentors will be placed with a single class of students for the six- week duration of the Academy, supporting all Classroom Teachers to ensure productive and enriching lessons and to serve as positive role models for students.

Peer Mentors are expected to work three days total per week either Monday, Wednesday, and Friday OR Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Fridays, all Peer Mentors work the full day (8:00am to 4:00pm) to support students and staff on field trips. There are a limited number of spaces for peer mentors to assist with NYSA after school programming until 5:00pm Monday-Thursday. All Peer Mentors must be available for all training days and for the entire duration of the program. Both staff training and the program are in-person in New York City with no remote option .

Major Responsibilities:

Complete all staff training prior to the start of the program, as well as all program meetings and staff development activities thereafter

Act as a positive role model for students; model appropriate student behavior and academic engagement with the Academy students at all times

Uphold and promote policies and practices necessary to create a linguistically supportive, culturally responsive, trauma-informed learning environment.

Assist teachers and staff with classroom management, including various classroom activities, tutor students individually or in small groups at the direction of the teacher

Assist in supervision of daily student meals and student arrival/dismissal

Attend all field trips on Fridays and assist teachers and staff in student supervision

Support students in navigating cultural differences during the school day to ensure they feel included and confident.

Complete post-NYSA all staff evaluation

Complete and submit a weekly timesheet on Golden platform to track and codify IRC volunteer hours.

Qualifications:

Minimum age: 17+ and must be at least a rising high school senior

Undergraduate students, Graduate students, or recent graduates, preferred

Residing in or near New York City with ability to travel to and from the site

Experience or strong interest in working with refugee and immigrant communities

Experience working with children and/or peers, preference for those with education experience

Punctuality and excellent time management skills

Outstanding intercultural and interpersonal communication skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from other cultural backgrounds

Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client information

Excellent organizational and leadership skills

Ability to take initiative

Strong attention to detail and ability to work with minimal supervision

Communication regarding your schedule, absences, and any concerns w ith your supervisor.

Knowledge of classroom procedures; adherence to all health and safety precautions required .

Fluency in written and spoken English required . Second language proficiency in relevant language highly desirable (including Arabic, Dari, Farsi, French, Fulani, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Pashto, Russian, Spanish, Ukrainian, Wolof)

All staff must provide proof of medical examination dated within 2 years of working with the camp, indicating that they are physically able to perform their camp duties.

If NYSA is located in a New York City Public School, all staff must complete New York City Department of Education fingerprinting.

All offers are contingent on successfully passing background and criminal history checks as required by federal and state law or by IRC policy.

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.

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