InterAction is the largest U.S. based coalition of international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) with nearly 190 members working around the world in low- and middle-income countries, fragile and post-conflict states, and emerging/growth economies. Member organizations are large and small, secular and faith-based, with a focus on people living in the world’s most poor and vulnerable places. The U.S. public, foundations, and governments support the work of our member NGOs that collectively invest and manage more than $15.4 billion a year. InterAction revenues come from dues, government grants, private foundation and corporate grants, and a growing fee-for-service program portfolio. Using its collective voice and convening power, InterAction seeks to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, Food Security, and Climate Change – that advance human dignity, human potential, and self-determination. About the Project: InterAction’s Protection Team has multiple ongoing workstreams focused on different aspects of protection. Since 2012, InterAction has been at the forefront of shaping and promoting the use of results-based approaches to protection in humanitarian crises. InterAction’s Protection Team is seeking applications for Spring 2021 Internship Position(s). A stipend of $500 will be provided to part-time interns completing the internship. Position Description: The Intern–Protection, Results Based Protection will gain valuable insight into the humanitarian sector by working directly with InterAction’s Protection team. Overall responsibilities will include a research project on a specific topic , and producing summary notes for external disseminations and internal use. The research project will focus on existing research on how organizations and the people who work within them change their practices, behaviors and organizational culture. This will contribute to ongoing Results-Based Protection work as well as new Design" id="link" class="link">Program Design. The Intern will also provide general administrative and logistical support for meetings and large-scale events. Interns will be encouraged to participate regularly in both internal and external meetings. The specific work of the Intern will also be based upon the individual’s learning and professional goals, as tied to the initiatives of InterAction’s Protection Team within the larger Humanitarian Policy & Practice (HPP) Team. Essential Functions:

• Complete a desk review on literature related to behavioral and organizational change as is relevant to Results Based Protection and humanitarian work more broadly.


• Support the production of bi-monthly news updates, including policy and field developments to be shared out to InterAction members and partners;


• Provide administrative and logistical support for meetings and large-scale events, including drafting minutes of the proceedings and helping organize and synthesize material;


• Support other project deliverables as needed by the Protection team’s workstreams;


• Participate in various fora as needed;


• Debrief the team at the internship’s conclusion on learning and/or a work task completed.

Additional Opportunities: An intern can expect to gain the following experiences beyond daily work duties through:

• Participation in InterAction working group meetings–access to meetings of members and InterAction staff on a variety of current issues within the humanitarian assistance field;


• On-the-job learning about the humanitarian architecture, advocacy, policy, and operations;


• Access to senior-level staff members at InterAction for informational interviews;


• Informal networking with InterAction staff members and individuals from more than 180 member organizations.

Learning Objectives:

• Demonstrate knowledge of technical, thematic, regional, and/or policy issues related to the work of the Protection Team in humanitarian contexts;


• Understand the linkages between international policy and programming in the humanitarian field;


• Understand core elements of the global humanitarian architecture, including the roles of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC), UN, and NGO community;


• Gain experience working in a professional and collaborative team environment;


• Develop research, analytical, communication, writing, and task/time management skills.

Requirements:

• College junior, senior, graduate student, or recent graduate student in a related field;


• Ability to quickly grasp complex concepts;


• Strong organizational and written communication skills;


• Strong research experience; experience conducting Desk Research is highly desirable;


• Strong analytical skills and ability to convey information clearly;


• Experience generating graphs and charts to communicate data and information;


• Excellent attention to detail;


• Ability to manage multiple tasks;


• Flexibility to meet changing deadlines and priorities;


• Familiarity with survey tools, such as Survey Monkey and Google Forms is desirable;


• Positive attitude, proactive, and curious; motivation to learn and contribute relevant skills and expertise to InterAction’s Protection workstreams;


• Ability to work with minimal supervision;


• Interest, familiarity and/or coursework in U.S. foreign policy, international security, Conflict Resolution, Humanitarian Action, and/or related field is desirable.

Expected Start Date: The internship will range between 20 hours per week. A typical spring internship runs from January-May but start and end dates are flexible. Work Environment: This is a remote position. Due to Covid-19, all staff are currently working remotely and following InterAction’s COVID-19 policies. There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to jobs@interaction.org with subject line containing: Intern-Protection. The position will remain open until filled and applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final deadline to apply is December 11, 2020, but applicants are encouraged to apply early. Due to the expected volume of applications, only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.