Internship: Global Affairs and Partnerships – Policy At Search for Common Ground

The Global Policy and Outreach team at Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking an intern to provide research and administrative support to several ongoing policy advocacy initiatives. The Global Policy and Outreach team focuses on building the policy case for the peacebuilding field. It does this by working collaboratively with Search’s teams and partners around the world and leveraging their analysis, data, and expertise to inform the policies of emerging and established actors relevant to Search’s work. It provides operational and locally-rooted policy analysis and recommendations that encourage policymakers to support and use peacebuilding more by advocating for more supportive institutional norms and structures, more and healthier funding to implementers, and more policies that encourage peacebuilding.

Policy interns have the opportunity to contribute to outreach and advocacy on both specific countries/geographies as well as cross-cutting global issues through the responsibilities outlined below.

This is an unpaid internship.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the development of policy recommendations and products, such as white papers, sign-on letters, op-eds, and communications materials
• Conduct research related to US government and multilateral policies, legislation, and priorities
• Identify and research opportunities around key Search advocacy themes and geographies
• Attend briefings, roundtables, hearings, and other relevant events and share notes within the organization
• Maintain and update knowledge management tools
• Assist in monitoring the results of Search’s international policy efforts
• Perform general administrative tasks, as needed.

Qualifications

• Current student or recent graduate with a degree in International Relations, Conflict Studies, Development or a related area
• Written and spoken fluency in English
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Internet Search Engines)

The ideal candidate will further exhibit:

• A self-starting, enthusiastic, and flexible approach to the organization and the position
• Experience in foreign policy and peacebuilding
• Demonstrated interest and experience in US government or UN policy and/or advocacy
• Demonstrable interest in creating partnerships with other organizations, policymakers, and donors to advance conflict prevention
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills
• Excellent attention to detail; and
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines
• Fluency in an additional language is not required but will be viewed favorably.