2015 Search For Common Ground’s International Internship Program

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.