INTERNSHIP TITLE: US (DC) – Adaptive Management and Learning Intern
INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Washington, DC
DATES OF INTERNSHIP: January – April (flexible)
LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP: 4 months, 15 hours per week (flexible)
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: This is an unpaid internship. The selected candidate will have access to Mercy Corps online knowledge management systems, networks, and office resources for the duration of the internship.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
In response to the challenges of working in complex contexts and the growing demand for practical techniques for responsive, adaptive program management, the IRC and Mercy Corps have formed the ADAPT (Analysis Driven Agile Programming Techniques) partnership. Leveraging case studies and engagement with thought leaders, ADAPT seeks to change the relationships and incentives which propel our work. Exploring donor mechanisms, culture, leadership, team incentives, tools, and systems, ADAPT will provide an evidence base that demonstrates the prime factors for enabling and encouraging adaptation in design, redesign and implementation. Ultimately, ADAPT hopes enhance the humanitarian and development sector’s responsiveness to, and impact in, complex contexts.
The selected candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers at both Mercy Corps an IRC to drive improvements in the way the aid sector operates. This internship provides the opportunity to think critically and creatively about organizational strategy and culture as well as institutional blockers and enablers of change. The selected candidate will be able to ask and seek answers to what makes programs flexible and effective across a broad portfolio-from civil society engagement to economic development. Likewise, this work will bridge crisis, recovery, and development contexts to build on successes and learn from failures when programs seek to adapt and improve their impact.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Through this internship, the selected candidate will have the opportunity to develop skills and understanding related to:
- Building a practical knowledge base of techniques used in a variety of program contexts to develop effective learning feedback loops and agile implementation of activities.
- Supporting institutional learning on the tools, systems, people, leadership techniques, etc. have succeeded and failed at helping programs adjust their strategies and improve their impact.
- Developing a deeper understanding of the institutional and donor opportunities and barriers to more flexible program implementation.
- Learning how to link concepts from the field level with strategic decision making at the level of agency leadership.
- Honing communication skills in presenting complex topics to broad audiences in a clear and concise manner.
DELIVERABLES:
The intern will be responsible for the following tasks throughout the duration of the internship:
- Conducting small research projects, including connecting with field teams, to understand and synthesize lessons learned on the tools, systems, people, and culture which support adaptive management.
- Conducting desk research and synthesizing findings related to thinking and practice on adaptive management, within and outside of the aid sector.
- Tracking new events and publications, and keeping abreast of changes in networks and online media topics related to adaptive management. Provide regular updates to the ADAPT team.
- As needed, representing Mercy Corps at events on topics pertinent to ADAPT and providing feedback to the ADAPT team.
- Supporting internal communication and coordination related to ADAPT.
- Supporting the write up of case studies and research related to ADAPT.
- Contributing insights from research into ADAPT partnership strategy and priorities.
IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2-5 years of work experience in relevant sector
- Experience living and/or working in developing countries
- Masters degree candidate in public policy, economics, business, international development, or other relevant sector
- Proven understanding of monitoring and evaluation systems in the aid/humanitarian sector
- Understanding of challenges and opportunities in project/program management in the aid/humanitarian sector
- Proven experience conducting quantitative and/or qualitative research
- Capacity to effectively manage and drive projects independently
Mercy Corps interns and volunteers 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 MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Candidates interested in this internship should submit a resume and a statement of interest. In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any experiences related relevant to the projects outlined. You may wish to describe your career interests (specifically as they relate to policy and advocacy, humanitarian aid, or development) and discuss your previous work and educational experiences demonstrating these interests. Your application will be reviewed by the hiring team within 3 weeks of submission and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews. All applicants will receive notification once a decision has been made.
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