ABOUT THE POSITION
Mercy Corps works in fragile and conflict-affected countries, often where communities are recovering from disaster, conflict, or economic collapse. With programs in more than 40 countries, and an annual budget of more than $400 million, Mercy Corps is one of the largest relief and development NGOs in the US.
The Mercy Corps Policy and Advocacy team serves as the main interface between Mercy Corps and external partners (particularly the US government) on issues of policy. The team seeks to advance Mercy Corps’ values and interests by promoting policies that support our mission. We work to inform and shape policy in a number of ways, including:
- Congressional Advocacy: direct meetings with key congressional offices, participation in briefings and hearings, review and commenting on draft legislation, active participation in discussions related to the foreign aid budget, and linking Members of Congress who are travelling with our teams in the field.
- Administration Advocacy: meetings with Administration officials, ongoing communication with key partner agencies in the USG, participation in joint consultations and briefings together with partner NGOs in DC.
- Joint work with NGO partners: active participation in Interaction working groups and other coalition efforts organized in DC on priority issues or countries for Mercy Corps, drafting of joint documents, organizing joint lobby days on Capitol Hill.
- Organizing DC visits for visiting Mercy Corps field staff: scheduling meetings for visiting staff and accompanying them to ensure adequate preparation and follow up to these visits.
- Publications: preparing and disseminating policy briefs on key issues, circulating information on Mercy Corps programs to key policy makers, participating in joint documents and sign-ons with other NGOs, working with field staff to draft joint articles on policy-related issues for publication.
QUALIFICATIONS
All interns should have the following core qualifications:
- Interest in humanitarian, development, and conflict prevention issues
- Excellent writing and editing skills and the ability to summarize and communicate research results clearly
- Experience conducting research and analysis from primary and secondary data sources
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast-paced work environment
- Solid computer skills: must be able to work effectively and accurately with MS Word, Excel, Google applications, and email.
- Flexible work attitude: able to work productively in a team environment and independently or with limited supervision
Preferred qualifications:
- Graduate study complete or in progress in international relations, public policy, development or related field.
- Previous Capitol Hill experience or knowledge of Congressional processes
- Familiarity or experience conducting policy analysis
- Other specific thematic expertise in any of the areas of focus listed above
HOW TO APPLY
For more information and to apply, click here.
