Description

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

• Training and supervisory support
• Access to Mercy Corps online tools
• All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

• Laptop computer
• Accommodation, travel and living expenses

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.

The Mercy Corps Policy and Advocacy team serves as the main interface between Mercy Corps and external partners (particularly the U.S. 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 traveling 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.

The intern(s) will support and participate in the work of the Policy and Advocacy team. Areas of focus may include:

• Supporting internal strategizing regarding U.S. federal actions and broader strategic planning for campaigning and advocacy, including research, summarizing reports, briefings, and hearings.
• Supporting the preparation of briefings, presentations, graphics, databases/spreadsheet and memos.
• Improving a robust and principled humanitarian response to the various crises.
• Reviewing, summarizing, and categorizing relevant news articles.
• Contributing to several additional work streams, especially those related to engagement with new Congress, global event preparation, and humanitarian policy issues.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Understanding the linkage between international policy, programming and outcomes in the humanitarian and development field.
• Understanding core elements of the U.S. policy process, including the roles of Congress, USAID, State, and the White House in development policy-making.
• Knowledge of key qualitative and quantitative resources related to US development policy.
• Understanding specific policy issues, as listed above, or according to the interests of the intern.

DELIVERABLES:

The Intern will support the PA team through the following activities:

1. Conduct policy and practice research in support of Mercy Corps advocacy initiatives.
2. Assist in drafting advocacy documents such as reports, briefing notes, talking points, petitions, or factsheets on relevant policy issues.
3. Attend meetings and hearings of interest to Mercy Corps and report back on key issues.
4. Assist in organizing meetings with Congressional offices, Administration officials, and other contacts, and in maintaining a database of key interactions.
5. Review external and internal reports and publications and summarize relevant findings.
6. Assist in communicating policy and advocacy updates to the broader Mercy Corps community through Mercy Corps’ intranet system, weekly newsletter, and website.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

The Policy and Advocacy is seeking an intern to support the breadth of the team’s portfolio. If qualified, the intern may have the opportunity to focus on one or more thematic areas, though engagement in all areas will be expected.

All interns should have the following core qualifications:

• University degree in progress or recently completed (within 1 year) in International Relations, Public Policy, Public Administration, International Development, or related field.
• Interest in humanitarian and development issues and policy and advocacy.
• Background in policy, international development, and/or international relations.
• Demonstrated solid writing, editing, and researching skills.
• 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

Potential qualifications for portfolio-specific interests are below (not required, but preferred):

• Previous Administration or Capitol Hill experience or knowledge of Congressional processes.
• Other specific thematic expertise in any of the areas of focus listed above.