About InterAction:
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. One workstream is member focused working groups which provide a space for organizations to convene, share learning and collectively organize around advocacy initiatives. InterAction hosts two thematic working groups, the Gender Based Violence and Protection Working Groups. InterAction has been at the forefront of shaping and promoting the use of results-based approaches to protection since 2012. The current iteration of InterAction’s Results-Based Protection (RBP) project includes two main components: (1) providing field support for collective strategies in select crisis contexts, including Nigeria and others; and (2) the development a results-based evaluation framework for the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
InterAction’s Protection Team is seeking applications for Summer 2021 internship position(s) to be based remotely. A stipend of $500 will be provided to part-time interns completing the internship (pro-rated based on number of worked hours per week).
Description:
The Intern–Protection and MHPSS will gain valuable insight into the humanitarian sector by working directly with InterAction’s Protection team. Overall responsibilities will include support to the Program Manager and members organizing a roundtable on the policy and funding priorities for the US Government and MHPSS, and/or other learning events as decided by the Working Groups. This will include general administrative and logistical support, as well as opportunities to engage with members and discuss technical and strategic input. Additionally, the intern will provide support to the RBP workstream. 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:
- Lead on compiling member feedback, and provide administrative support to organize member meetings and roundtable discussions in line with priorities outlines by the Working Groups;
- Contribute to technical and strategic discussions to drive forward policy and advocacy work in line with member interest;
- Support in the revamping of the Results-Based Protection website specifically through retagging/organizing data and documents;
- Provide administrative support such as back-up note taking in WG meetings, logistics support for thematic briefings/consultations/webinars on mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) or on timely member reports (or other topics as identified);
· Support other project deliverables as needed by the Protection team’s workstreams;
· 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 understanding of US Government policy for MHPSS and experience in developing advocacy objectives, informed by basic technical overview of MHPSS in humanitarian settings
· Experience setting up complex and high-level roundtable discussions
- Understand the linkages between international policy and programming in the humanitarian field;
- Demonstrate understanding of Gender Based Violence prevention and response and how organizations navigate changing dynamics from Covid-19;
- 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;
- Knowledge of or proven interest in the field of gender based violence and/or prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse;
- Strong analytical skills and ability to convey information in clear written form;
- Experience generating graphs and charts to communicate date 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;
- Strong interest, familiarity, and/or coursework in international humanitarian assistance, human rights, and/or humanitarian law is strongly preferred.
Expected Start Date:
The internship will range between 20 to 40 hours per week. A typical summer internship runs from June – August 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.
How to apply:
To Apply:
Please e-mail your resume and cover letter to jobs@interaction.org with subject line containing: Intern - Protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).** The position will remain open until filled and applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final deadline to apply is May 28, 2021, but applicants are encouraged to apply early. Due to the expected volume of applications, only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.