Job Advertisement

Position Title: Policy and Advocacy Intern
Location: Washington DC
Country: United States
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization established with the belief that a better world is possible. The organization operates in more than 40 countries, focusing on Disaster Response, humanitarian aid, and Community Development. Mercy Corps partners with Local Communities to implement bold solutions that help people overcome adversity and build stronger communities from within. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, striving to create a culture of trust and respect among its team members.

Job Overview:
The Policy and Advocacy Intern will support the Mercy Corps Policy and Advocacy team, which serves as the main interface between the organization and external partners, particularly the U.S. government. The intern will engage in various activities aimed at promoting policies that align with Mercy Corps' mission. This includes supporting internal strategizing regarding U.S. federal actions, preparing briefings and presentations, conducting research, and contributing to advocacy initiatives. The Internship is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the linkage between international policy, programming, and outcomes in the humanitarian and development fields, as well as insight into the U.S. policy process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The intern will be responsible for conducting policy and practice research to support advocacy initiatives, drafting advocacy documents such as reports and briefing notes, attending meetings and hearings relevant to Mercy Corps, assisting in organizing meetings with Congressional offices and Administration officials, and maintaining a database of key interactions. Additionally, the intern will review and summarize external and internal reports, communicate policy updates to the broader Mercy Corps community, and contribute to various workstreams related to community resilience and inclusive development.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be current students or recent graduates from designated Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the United States, pursuing or having recently completed a degree in International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, or a related field. They should have a strong interest in humanitarian and development issues, solid writing and research skills, and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Google applications, and email is required, along with a flexible work attitude.

Educational Background:
A university degree in progress or recently completed (within 1 year) from a U.S. minority-serving institution (MSI) in relevant fields such as International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, or International Development is required for this internship.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have some background in policy, international development, or international relations. Previous experience in an administrative role or on Capitol Hill, as well as knowledge of Congressional processes, is preferred but not mandatory. The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.

Languages:
While no specific language requirements are mentioned, proficiency in English is mandatory. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required for this position.

Additional Notes:
This internship is set to take place from May/June 2024 to August/September 2024, requiring a commitment of 32 hours per week. The intern will receive a stipend of $3207.00 per month. Interns are responsible for their own costs related to accommodation, travel, and living expenses, as well as providing their own laptop for use during the internship. Mercy Corps emphasizes a commitment to diversity and inclusion and is an equal opportunity employer. Interns must comply with a Covid-19 vaccine requirement or have an approved exception.