Apply Early!!!

The Peacebuilding & Development Institute, within the School of International Service and the International Peace & Conflict Resolution program at American University, is offering several exciting internship positions for undergraduates and graduate students. The Institute fosters knowledge, practical experience, and skills for scholars and practitioners involved in conflict resolution, peacebuilding and development. The keystone of the Institute is a world renowned summer training program. The Institute also facilitates year-round trainings, symposia and capacity building programs on issues such as children in armed conflict, development and conflict, curriculum development, reconciliation, mediation, dialogue and conflict sensitive humanitarian practice within and among communities from troubled regions and in Washington DC.

Internship Overview

Interns of varying ages, skill levels, and academic backgrounds are exposed to issues related to conflict resolution, peacebuilding and development, and have opportunities to learn and foster dozens of professional skills. The students, while working alongside the coordinator and director of the Institute, get hands-on experience as they assist with program design, management, evaluation, correspondence, research, marketing, public relations, fundraising, grant writing, and conference organizing. Interns are encouraged to take initiative on and ownership over various projects as they work individually and on teams. These are unpaid internships that may be taken for academic credit and/or Federal Work Study.

Positions Available

(see below for details)

1. Humanitarian Practice Program Associate

2. Humanitarian Security Training Coordinator

3. Grant Management Associate

4. Communications Associate

5. Web Development Associate

6. Partner Development Associate

7. Women and Security Training Coordinator

8. Research Associate: Youth, Conflict, and Peacebuilding

Humanitarian Practice Program Associate

The Humanitarian Practice Program Associate assists PDI staff with the organization and implementation of a series of training courses on humanitarian intervention issues. The successful candidate has skills in grant writing, strategic marketing; interests in humanitarian issues, disaster relief and complex emergencies; and excellent oral and written communications skills. Prior experience working in a disaster or conflict setting is beneficial. The Associate will collaborate with a project team and must be willing to both lead and follow.

Humanitarian Security Training Coordinator

The Security Training Coordinator will market, organize, and implement the second in a series of two-day humanitarian trainings for independent contractors and members of private security agencies. The candidate will work closely with PDI’s contacts at the International Peace Operations Association (IPOA) throughout the fall semester; the training itself will take place in December 2007. A strong candidate is highly organized, motivated, and professional, and has an interest in both humanitarian practices and private security contracting. 

Grant Management Associate

The Grant Management Associate is responsible for the writing of and compliance with grants obtained by PDI. A strong candidate has excellent writing and critical thinking skills and pays close attention to detail. The associate tracks grant announcements from USAID, State Department, and other donor agencies and work to develop winning proposals for the creation of regional peacebuilding training institutes in the Middle East and in the East Africa/Great Lakes region. S/he also works closely with the Associate Director of PDI to design programs for these grants. Prior grant writing experience is helpful, but a willingness to learn is essential.

Communications Associate

The Communications Associate works with the Institute Coordinator to design all communication material about the Institute, including but not limited to brochures, newsletters, and annual reports. The ideal candidate has excellent writing and graphic design skills and an interest in international relations, specifically peacebuilding and development. Web design experience is a plus.

Web Development Associate

The Web Development Associate updates and maintains the PDI website. Specifically, the PDI staff is looking for someone to overhaul the existing PDI website, develop a sustainable method for making updates, and train others in basic web design skills. The ideal candidate has experience in Macromedia Dreamweaver and/or other web design software and has worked on professional websites in previous jobs or internships. Experience in peace and conflict resolution or international development, or a willingness to learn about these topics, is beneficial.

Partner Development Associate

The Partner Development Intern focuses on building and maintaining partnerships with NGOs and other local organizations. The successful candidate has an interest or background in development issues, the NGO community, and the U.S. government and the ability to communicate with other organizations in a professional manner. S/he will establish relationships with agencies to assist in fundraising, program development, program management, and participating in the Institute’s various training programs.  Responsibilities include frequent visits to various agencies such as UN, USAID, INGOs and business agencies in Washington, DC.

Women and Security Training Coordinator

The Women and Security Training Coordinator will design, market, organize, and implement a two-day training for the NGO community, specifically for practitioners working with women in conflict areas around the world. The coordinator will work closely with PDI’s contacts at the Initiative for Inclusive Security to design the two-day training, to be held late in the fall semester, as a part of the growing partnership between PDI and the Initiative. The ideal candidate has experience in designing and executing large projects and events and a background in peacebuilding and women’s issues. S/he will collaborate with a project team and must be willing to both lead and follow.

Research Associate: Youth, Conflict, and Peacebuilding

The Research Associate will assist in developing research and practice programs for youth in conflict and transition environments such as Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Cambodia, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. The successful candidate has excellent writing and research skills and a background in international conflict and/or youth issues. Prior large-scale research experience is preferred. S/he must be self-disciplined and willing to work both individually and on a team.

Requirements

The Peacebuilding & Development Institute requires an 8 to 15 hour commitment for all intern positions, including Federal Work Study, for-credit internship, and volunteer positions. We seek highly motivated, self-starting, flexible candidates who can work with a team and individually. A personal and academic interest in peace, humanitarian, and development issues—or a willingness to learn about these topics—is a must; living and working experience overseas is a plus. PDI is actively looking for interns right now, and the deadline for all internship applications is Monday, September 10th. Please apply early in order to secure your fall internship!

If you are interested in joining the Peacebuilding & Development Institute as a volunteer associate, please e-mail your resume and cover letter to: sfrench@american.edu or contact Suzanne at (202) 885-2018.