Search for Common
Ground’s International Internship Program – Sub-Saharan Africa
Founded in 1982, SFCG works to
transform the way the world deals with conflict – away from adversarial
approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. We work with local
partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies’ capacity
to deal with conflict
s constructively: to
understand the differences and act on the commonalities.
Using innovative tools and
working at different levels of society, we engage in a pragmatic long-term
process of conflict transformation. Our toolbox includes media production –
radio, TV, film and print – mediation and facilitation, training, community
organizing, sports, drama and music. We promote both individual and institutional
change and are committed to measuring the results of our work. We strive to
constantly increase our effectiveness through monitoring and facilitated
learning.
Search for Common Ground’s (SFCG)
International Internship Program is a summer internship program designed to
encourage young people interested in pursuing a field in conflict
transformation to gain invaluable field experience. The program is open to
students (preferably at graduate level) and recent graduates in the USA and
internationally, who are self-funded and available to work between 2 and 3
months from end of May 2015.
Search for Common Ground
International Interns
- Serve in a minimum ten-week summer internship with a
focus on either program
learning or program
support; - Gain exposure to conflict resolution field programming
and apply academic theory to practical realities on the ground; - Experience firsthand the operations of an international
NGO by engaging with local partners and staff on a daily basis; and - Assist country directors and senior managers with
specific projects, including producing a strategic output to assist the
country program with its work. - Program learning focuses on capturing knowledge and documenting results,
best practices, and lessons learned from SFCG activities and tools. - Program support involves working with the program teams on aspects of
designing and/or implementing conflict transformation projects.
Frequently Asked
Questions
Who is eligible? To qualify for an International
Internship at SFCG, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must be enrolled full- or part-time in an accredited
university. Most positions are geared towards graduate students, although
exceptionally qualified rising juniors and seniors will be considered. If
you have completed school within the past 12 months you may also apply. - Pursuing a degree in one of the social sciences,
conflict resolution, international development, media and communication
studies, or related field of study. - Preferably be fluent in a foreign language relevant to
the country where you want to work (notably French, Portuguese, Swahili,
or Arabic) with good levels of written and spoken English. - You must be self-funded and able to work 40 hours a
week.
What key skills is SFCG
looking for?
SFCG is looking to receive
applications from a broad range of candidates for both the program learning and
program support positions. Specific elements that are preferred for program learning interns
include previous experience conducting research, monitoring or evaluation. This
might include methodology design, quantitative and/or qualitative research
methods, and experience in data analysis. Applicants with a journalism/media
background are encouraged to apply for the program support positions.
Consideration will be given to applicants with strong language skills in the
relevant languages of the host countries.
Where will internships be
available? May I apply to work in a specific country?
In 2015, SFCG expects to offer
international internships in most of its Africa country program offices. The
complete list of internships will not be finalized until after the application
deadline but will likely include the following countries: Angola, Burundi,
Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo,
Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda, depending on the
security context.
*Please note that these posts are
tentative and could change depending on the security context which will be
reassessed in April 2015.
Please indicate country
preferences on your application form but we cannot guarantee your first choice.
Much will depend on your language ability and skill set.
When do internships take
place?
Internships are generally 3 months long, but may vary. Depending on the
countries where they are placed, interns will begin work between May and June
2015 and will complete their internships between August and September 2015.
Longer internships may be available.
Does SFCG fund interns?
SFCG does not provide funding for International Internships. You may wish to
explore what funding your academic institutions or national government might
offer before applying. While interns are expected to cover the cost of travel
to the program and their daily expenses in the country, SFCG will provide
travel insurance with a possibility of paying interns a per diem rate at the
same level of local staff for work conducted away from their internship base.
For most country programs, SFCG will also provide accommodation where
available. The approximate cost of living differs between locations. This
information will be covered in detail during an orientation before departure to
the field. Intern candidates are encouraged to apply for funding through their
Universities as well as government and private academic funding/scholarship
programs.
How do I apply?
Please download the application
here: https://www.sfcg.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2015-IIP-Application-For….
Please submit your application by email by the deadline of February 8th,
2015. References may arrive by post or email, but should be post marked no
later than February 8th, 2015.
- All applications and related documents should be sent to
iip@sfcg.org - Please address applications to Anaïs Caput.
What should my
application include?
- Résumé/CV
- 1 essay – see page 2 of the application form for the
questions your essay should address - Completed application form
- An Academic reference from your institution supporting
your application
In addition, applicants with
relevant research experience should submit a short sample of their work,
including the methodology they used where appropriate.
More information on SFCG and its
country programs is available on its website at http://www.sfcg.org