ISLA –
International Service Learning Alliance

Volunteer
Opportunity description

Small Business
Development Intern

Basic Function of
Position

The Small Business Development
Intern (SBDI
), under the supervision of the Program Director (PD), will provide
strategic support to a network of local partner organizations. The basic
responsibilities of the position generally include developing and supporting
business and financial trainings, supporting partner organization grant
preparation, providing direct consultation and support for a wide range of
small business development and capacity building activities in support of FCDE
partner organizations.

In general, the SBDI position is
structured so that the intern provides focused financial and business support
of our team’s Community Driven Development work. Unlike similar internships,
this work focuses on providing a high level of intensive support to a group of
professional development workers and less on the cultural, language and
community immersion components associated with many “voluntourism”
internships. This internship is intended to mirror the expectations and
responsibilities of an entry level development position. The position works
under the supervision of the Program Director with oversight by the International
Operations Manager, Jenny Sowry.

Major Duties and
Responsibilities
(work in each area will depend on FCDE partner organization needs during
internship)

A. Small Business and
Financial Capacity Program Development (approx. 50% of the time)

Carry out a broad survey of FCDE’s partner organizations
to identify common financial and small business interests and weaknesses.
Analyze and prepare a report on the small business
survey that provides possible approaches and methods for addressing
specific issues. Work directly with FCDE program staff to address specific
issues raised in the survey results.
Support communication around partner’s small business
development and financial capacity building programs and initiatives. This
will include maintaining records, providing written reports and developing
regular communication with some of our partner organizations.
Support small business capacity building activities that
includes ongoing trainings, consulting (one-on-one or small group), as
well as site visits to support the development and ongoing success of our
partner organizations’ programmatic activities. Done both in conjunction
with FCDE Site Team and independently (level of independent work depends
on length of internship, subject to approval from PD).
Review and provide feedback on small business and
financial capacity related training and workshop materials and together
with the Site Team update program materials as needed.

B. General Partner
Capacity Building & Training (approx. 10% of the time)

Assist in obtaining baseline organizational assessments
and the maintenance of documenting partner organization’s capacity
development.
Help develop and deliver materials and trainings meant
to build partner’s skills and capacity so that they can carry out their programmatic
activities successfully, strengthen the efficacy of their programs, and
enhance organizational development.
Support the implementation of work plans for each
partner organization.
Provide networking and resource sharing opportunities to
support collaboration among partners.
Provide a written set of recommendations and/or next
steps for subsequent
interns to give continuity to projects or overall program development.

C. Administrative Support
(no more than 25% of the time)

Assist with and maintain program written records and
files, and perform routine clerical tasks.
Assist in the collection and analysis of data on partner organization performance, and in the
preparation of reports on program development and/or grant activities.
Assist in preparation of a wide range of program
documentation, including: Partner Organization Profiles, Weekly Reports,
Quarterly Program Evaluations and Reports; Grant Project Evaluation and
Follow up Reports, etc.

D. Program, Monitoring and
Evaluation (approximately 10% of the time)

Support the identification and collection of data to be
used in monitoring and evaluation reporting.
Help monitor partner organization program and grant
progress in order to best provide guidance/ capacity building tools as
needed to facilitate successful performance and adherence to the FCDE
approach.

E. Other Duties and
Activities (not to exceed 5% of the time)

Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program
Director, Director of International Programs that support the work and
organizational objectives of FCDE.
Provide relevant insight and ideas to the staff on how
technology and communications systems can be best integrated within the
organization.

Expected Outcomes:

Intern will provide substantive input to the development
and production of training materials to be used in carrying out capacity
building work with FCDE partner organizations
Intern will provide direct or indirect technical
training to FCDE partner organizations
Intern will support the FCDE staff’s community driven
development work through administrative support activities

Supervision and Guidance

The SBDI functions under the direct supervision of the
Program Director and in coordination and cooperation with the Program
Team. SBDI is expected to carry out most job functions independently with
guidance and training provided by the program staff.

Desired Qualifications

Education:
Pursuing or achieved a university degree in International Development,
International/Regional Studies, Business or related field.
Prior Experience: one year work or comparable volunteer experience
within a related field.
Language Proficiency: Spoken and written fluency in English.
Knowledge:
Solid working knowledge of community development and the host-country’s culture/history/current
events; demonstrated ability to maintain working level contacts with NGO
officials and host families; and demonstrated experience and skills in
supporting of training or educational events.
Skills and Abilities: Ability to represent FCDE effectively with partner
organizations, local officials, and International Sponsors (Donors,
Academic Sponsors). Organizational and administrative skills.
Excellent computer skills in word-processing and
database management. Motivation and commitment to work effectively as part
of an inter-cultural team. Excellent interpersonal skills. Demonstrated
ability to exercise good judgment under normal as well as complex and
often stressful conditions.