DATES OF INTERNSHIP: December 2018– March 2019 (flexible); part-time (up to 35hr/week)
LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP: 4 months (flexible)
INTERNS SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: Senior Researcher, Research and Learning
For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:
- $670/month stipend
- Workspace within the MC office in Washington, DC
- Access to Mercy Corps online tools
- All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project to be undertaken
Intern responsibilities
Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:
- Travel to and from Mercy Corps HQ
- Maintaining their personal computer which will be used for the internship.
- Accommodation, travel and living expenses
- All other costs associated with this internship
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Conflict and Migration Research Intern is a key member of the Research and Learning team. His/her primary role is to support the Research and Learning Team in advancing research priorities under the conflict and migration research streams, and maintaining excellent communications and management systems that enable the team to perform at the highest possible level in terms of workflow, product, and creativity.
The intern will also have an opportunity to develop and work on a project related to their area of interest. The project will be identified in collaboration with supervisor and can be related to an ongoing research initiative being undertaken by Mercy Corps or can focus on research into ways that Mercy Corps can improve its approaches in program evaluation and conducting rigorous studies on key theories of change.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Through the internship, the intern will acquire:
- Experience in program evaluation and research
- Exposure to NGO/donor coordination
- Experience with development of research products (briefs, reports, analysis plans)
- Experience researching topics related to conflict and/or migration
- Experience with internal coordination and external partnerships management
- Experience with research proposal development, and donor engagement
DELIVERABLES:
The intern is expected to provide support to the team in terms of:
- Conducts desk and literature reviews on migration and conflict-related topics
- Support the design and execution of major studies, including assisting country programs refine research plans, ensure high quality data collection, and translate data into insightful analysis
- Undertakes additional data analysis, as needed
- Help produce reports, policy briefs and other research products tailored to key audiences, including pieces that synthesize evidence from multiple field studies around bigger questions or themes
- Supports the Research and Learning Team with a wide array of correspondences, notably coordinating internal communication
- Maintains schedule of and assists in drafting donor reports
- Drafts and maintains up-to-date project work plans
- Documents high-level meeting discussions
- Covers external events related to migration, forced displacement and conflict
IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree is required; graduate degree, complete or in progress, in international development, public policy, or other relevant social science discipline strongly preferred
- Experience in topical areas (migration, conflict, peacebuilding, and governance) strongly preferred
- Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members is required
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- French language skills, preferred
- Ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Strong multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills are necessary.
