Description
INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Washington DC
DATES OF INTERNSHIP: June – September 2020
HOURS PER WEEK: Full-Time (30-40 hours/week)
Note: Interns should not work over 40 hours/week.
INTERN SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: Senior Advisor, Water, Environment Team, Technical Support Unit
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: 1500/month stipend
Mercy Corps responsibilities
For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:
- Training and supervisory support
- Workspace within the MC office in Washington, DC
- Access to Mercy Corps online tools
- All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project to be undertaken
Intern responsibilities
Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:
- Travel to and from Mercy Corps HQ
- Maintaining their personal computer which will be used for the internship
- Accommodation, travel and living expenses
- All other costs associated with this internship
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Mercy Corps is a leading global humanitarian and development organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Mercy Corps’ Technical Support Unit (TSU) is a key part of the Program Department. TSU subject-matter experts help set agency strategy and provide consultation – from assessment and design through project implementation and results measurement – to field offices worldwide.
This internship will work within the TSU’s Environment Team, which leads work on climate change, water resources, WASH, energy access and disaster risk reduction for the agency. The specific remit of the internship is to engage with the water advisor and the Environment Team, as well as the agency’s infrastructure team to explore and develop new arrangements, partnerships and opportunities for public/private financing of built and natural infrastructure in the area of water supply and sanitation, and food and water security, as well as integrated water/energy/agricultural/disaster risk reduction project opportunities.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The Water Finance Intern will support high quality and impactful programming. S/he will gain skills in the following areas:
- Familiarity with financing issues, needs and operations of a large humanitarian/development agency
- Understanding of the process of program development in the water, climate and environment sector
- Knowledge of trends in water governance/management/financing globally
- Familiarity with the major bilateral, multilateral and global financial institutions and facilities working on water and climate solutions
DELIVERABLES:
- Documentation, review and analysis of blended finance – approaches, mechanisms, funds, case studies – in water and water-related fields
- Completion of white paper, with the Environment and Infrastructure team, on blended finance opportunities in water supply and sanitation in fragile and conflict affected states.
- Participation in financial and economic analysis of specific Environment team project opportunities.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
- Enrolled in (or recently graduated from) a Master’s degree program, preferably in finance, business or economics
- Prior work experience or education in geology, environmental science, civil engineering, international development, or other science/engineering field related to the internship
- Strong reading, writing, and researching skills
- Strong communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel, and G-Suite applications
Mercy Corps interns 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 Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps Diversity Statement
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
