Description

INTERNSHIP TITLE: Advancing the Future Program Intern

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Bogota, Colombia

DATES OF INTERNSHIP: May – August 2023

HOURS PER WEEK: 40 hours/week

INTERNS SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: Advancing the Future Program Manager

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: $2,600 USD/monthly

Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

• Additional COVID-19 related Travel costs (if situation requires it)
• Short stay in Mercy Corps lodging while securing housing for the duration of the internship.
• ISOS Emergency Med-Evac coverage.
• Training and supervisory support.
• Access to Mercy Corps online tools.
• All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project.
• Business travel expenses, including transport to and from local meetings as well as hotel, per diem, and flights to field offices.

Intern responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

• Airplane tickets
• Housing
• Proof of medical insurance coverage (including COVID-19 treatment in country)
• Laptop
• All other costs associated with the internship

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Mercy Corps Colombia has operated in 17 departments since 2005, impacting more than 319,000 people, creating alliances and opportunities with the public, private and civil society with innovation, impact and influence. Our work in Colombia includes responses to both humanitarian crises and long-term development challenges. Our areas of specialization in humanitarian assistance include cash transfers (the Mercy Corps-led VenEsperanza MPCA consortium will support approximately 400,000 individuals with MPCA assistance over three years), psycho-social, and livelihoods/youth employment support. Our rural development portfolio specializes in land conflict resolution, economic inclusion and empowerment of rural women, and rural value chains.

Mercy Corps currently has two early recovery programs – PRM-funded Advancing the Future and Hilton Foundation-funded JovenPRO. Advancing the Future provides access to livelihoods, protection, and health services for Venezuelan refugees and vulnerable Colombians in Antioquia and Bolivar departments, and is currently requesting funding to expand to Cesar department. JovenPRO is a youth-focused program that targets 50% Venezuelan refugees and 50% vulnerable Colombians, providing them with support designed to improve social cohesion as well as their skills for employment and entrepreneurship.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The intern will develop an understanding of international humanitarian emergency and early recovery response in the context of the Venezuela refugee crisis in Colombia. The intern will build practical skills in information management, communications with Bogota- and field-based team members operating in complex, challenging environments, as well as program quality according to Mercy Corps’ standards. This position provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of the technical, administrative and operational aspects of a large, international organization experiencing high growth in its early recovery program portfolio.

Depending on course availability and interest, the intern may learn more about program management principles by completing the Project D Pro training and passing the associated exam. The intern will have access to mentoring/coaching provided by the Program Manager, Deputy Program Manager, and the Emergency and Early Recovery Programs Director. The intern will learn about program management, report writing and editing (including requirements and data collection/collation for specific donors), research, and communications at Mercy Corps.

The intern may also complete informational interviews with other Mercy Corps staff members working in his/her area(s) of interest, in order to increase his/her knowledge of Mercy Corps’ work in these areas. Additional learning objectives may be negotiated with the intern, depending on skills, interests, and country program needs.

DELIVERABLES:

1. Inputs for monthly and quarterly reports, and participant success stories compiled and provided to the Program Manager for donor reporting purposes.
2. Data collected and organized from program participants, providing recommendations for improving and expanding the implementation of health services.
3. Survey and focus group results compiled and analyzed, highlighting participants’ perspectives on climate change problems and recommendations for their participation in adaptation, mitigation, and prevention activities.
4. Assistance provided in the close-out of the Advancing the Future program, and inputs for emergency and early recovery concept notes and/or proposals provided when opportunities arise.
5. Support provided to ensure that all Program Team files and systems are in alignment with Mercy Corps guidelines and standards.
6. Project monitoring tasks, including the preparation and leading of focus group discussions, completed and provided to the M&E and Community Accountability and Reporting Mechanism (CARM) team.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Master’s/postgraduate student (entering final year or recent graduate within 1 year) with demonstrated interest or experience in international development and/or humanitarian programs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Computer proficient and savvy, especially strong working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Flexible and willing to work on tight deadlines and on both administrative and program support activities.
• Experience in Latin American and/or Caribbean context is a plus.

A successful intern will be highly motivated and interested in ensuring high quality emergency programming. Candidates must be resourceful, possess excellent written and verbal communication, are flexible/adaptable and capable of working with minimal supervision.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

The position is based in Bogotá, the capital, which is a large and fairly modern city with good access to public services as well as excellent medical care. Mercy Corps Colombia is a member of UNDSS and expects staff to follow security protocols to minimize security risk in the field.

Mercy Corps interns represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps Diversity Statement

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As part of our commitment to keeping our community safe and providing a safe working environment, Mercy Corps has a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international interns based in Mercy Corps country offices. Interns must be fully vaccinated as per CDC/WHO requirement, and a booster shot is strongly encouraged. Outside of this, an intern must have an approved exception based on medical restrictions, sincerely held religious beliefs, or other applicable reasons pursuant to federal, state, or local law may be entitled to an accommodation.

Interns must agree to follow Mercy Corps COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in country.

Mercy Corps Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon 97204

Mercy Corps: https://www.mercycorps.org/

In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any relevant experience, and demonstrate your interest. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews.