Global Policy and Outreach Intern
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Job Description
About the company
Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the peaceful resolution of conflict. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., its core mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments approach conflict, shifting from adversarial methods towards cooperative solutions. Globally, Search employs approximately 600 staff members and implements projects from 54 offices across 34 countries, spanning Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.
Job Description
This position is for an intern within Search for Common Ground’s Global Policy and Outreach team.
The Global Policy and Outreach team’s primary focus is to build the policy case for the peacebuilding field. This is achieved by:
• Collaborating with Search’s worldwide teams and partners.
• Leveraging their analysis, data, and expertise to inform the policies of relevant emerging and established actors.
• Providing operational and locally rooted policy analysis and recommendations.
• Encouraging policymakers to more effectively support and utilize peacebuilding.
• Advocating for more supportive institutional norms and structures, increased and healthier funding for implementers, and policies that foster peacebuilding.
Policy interns will have the opportunity to contribute to outreach and advocacy on both specific countries/geographies and cross-cutting global issues.
Important Note: This internship is unpaid and is exclusively open to applicants who are currently enrolled in an academic program and receive a financial stipend from their educational institution.
Key Responsibilities:
• Assist with the development of policy recommendations and products, such as white papers, sign-on letters, op-eds, and communications materials.
• Support engagement with the US Congress by tracking hearings and legislation, tracking funding accounts, and preparing 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 (Required):
• Current student working on 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, Google Suite).
• Available for 32-40 Hours a week.
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.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Fluency in an additional language is not required, but will be viewed favorably.
