Survivor Advocacy Internship

Unbound Now is ending human trafficking by identifying victims, supporting survivors, seeking justice, and leading system change. We are motivated by our faith in Jesus and work each day as individuals driven by hope, oriented towards service, and committed to excellence. To learn more about our values, please read our Statement of Faith.

Title:

Survivor Advocacy Intern

Internship Status:
Part-Time | Unpaid

Location:

Local Office

Summary:

The primary function of the Survivor Advocacy Intern is to work alongside the Advocates in the Survivor Advocacy Program as they provide crisis response and ongoing individualized case management and support for survivors of human trafficking. Additionally, the Survivor Advocacy Intern will assist with administrative duties such as monitoring the client clothing closet, assisting with advocate documentation, and furthering the Dignity Program.

Availability:
Determined in alignment with the intern's academic requirements, school-related goals, and Unbound Now's work hours and needs.

Working Conditions:

Work is typically conducted in a standard office or professional setting. On rare occasions, duties may require performing tasks in environments with exposure to extreme weather conditions, fumes, odors, or elevated noise levels.

Travel:
This position may require limited travel for training and team/professional development

opportunities. May require travel to meet with clients.

Requirements:

• Agree to and pass all required criminal background checks and child abuse registry checks
• High level of emotional maturity and responsibility
• Strong work ethic - consistent and reliable
• Excellent organizational and administrative abilities
• Commitment to excellence and professionalism in services provided
• Excellent relational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability and willingness to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive information
• Training and experience in survivor-centered, trauma-informed services
• Ability to build trust and good working relationships with others
• Appreciation of the need for cultural competency
• Participate in ongoing training
• Abide by all Unbound Now Policies and procedures, including Unbound Now's Abuse Prevention and Response Policy

Objectives & Responsibilities:

Providing advocacy services for clients under the supervision of a field instructor:

• Alongside Unbound Now advocates, respond to calls from law enforcement, CST care coordinators, and other referral sources when on call; arrive at the victim's location within the required time frame.
• Assess vulnerability for exploitation of youth at-risk by utilizing the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Identification Tool (CSE-IT).
• Assist advocates in meeting the immediate physical needs of survivors - clothes, food, toiletries.
• Assist Unbound Now advocates in providing ongoing advocacy, case management, and emotional support to survivors.
• Assist with coordinating referrals, service planning, and documentation of services.
• Assist advocates in meeting with each assigned client according to the required face-to-face visits and maintain communication through other means in between meetings.
• Recognize red flag behavior and report to the Director of Survivor Advocacy or the Regional Director.
• Report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to the Director of Survivor Advocacy or the Regional Director, and to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), as required by state-mandated reporter laws.
• Assist the Advocacy Program Support Specialist with the client closet by organizing and assisting clients who come shopping.
• Alongside Unbound Now advocates, conduct comprehensive assessments, develop service plans, and make decisions in the field regarding the safety and well-being of assigned clients.
• Alongside Unbound Now advocates, document all interactions with survivors, their families, and partner agencies within the required time frame, generally within 24-72 hours.
• Build and maintain good relationships with organizations that provide services relevant to trafficking survivors.
• Attend MDT meetings with other agencies to better assist clients.
• Utilize evidence-based and promising practices to provide effective case management services (relationship-based TBRI, trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and motivational interviewing).
• Assist by contacting partner organizations to gather accurate information that guides Advocates in providing services to clients.
• Assist in expanding the Dignity Program by contacting businesses to provide needed services for clients.
• Attend training and conferences to gain skills and knowledge that will facilitate professional development and ethical practice.
• Attend weekly staff meetings, supervision, and advocacy team meetings.
• Participate in Unbound Now's Advocacy Resiliency Group.

* This position description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the intern candidate. The scope of the position may change as necessitated by organizational…