View Vacancy - International Development Policy Intern Washington DC

Background:

• The intern will join the International Development team in the British Embassy. This two-person policy team, which comprises of a Development Counsellor and Policy Advisor, oversees the US-UK relationship on development issues. The portfolio covers a wide range of issues, including humanitarian, development finance, stabilisation, and more.

• The successful applicant will conduct research in support of the team’s strategic and policy work, providing analysis on development issues. Beyond this, the position will offer a wide-ranging insight into embassy’s work. A high-performing candidate will have opportunities to work on a substantive policy project, and shadow a significant event to advance the UK’s public diplomacy on foreign policy issues. There will be scope for the intern to pursue specific interests within the wide range of development issues.

• The International Development team is part of the Embassy’s wider Foreign and Security Policy Group (FSPG). FSPG is the primary interface between UK and US on global foreign and security policy issues, with teams focused on the Middle East; Europe; Africa; Asia; the Western Hemisphere; Counter-terrorism and Counter-proliferation; Defence policy; Cyber-security; Justice and Homeland Security co-operation; and bilateral and domestic policy issues. The British Embassy, Washington D.C., and its network of Consulates-General across the US, develop and sustain the important and longstanding relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States.  

  Duties and Responsibilities:

• Write at least two research papers on the US development policy;

• Conduct research and provide analysis on development issues in support of the team’s policy and strategic work;

• Support the team’s engagement with external counterparts, including through: maintaining a database of key contacts; and, providing a weekly round-up of articles from top think-tanks.

• Attend and report upon development policy seminars at think-tanks and universities in Washington, and relevant Congressional hearings;

• Shadow on the planning, preparation and delivery of public or private diplomatic event;

• Due to the fast-paced, unpredictable nature of the team’s work, the successful applicant should be flexible to assist on other priority issues and initiatives as they arise.

Minimum Qualifications/Experience:

• Must be a junior or a senior in an undergraduate program, or enrolled in a graduate program (preferred) by the start date of your internship (least 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework completed). Since this is an unpaid internship, students must receive college credit in exchange for their internships.

• Strong interest in, and some familiarity with, international development policy; (Applicants do not need to have completed, nor be enrolled on, an international relations-related programme.)

• Strong preference for visual data and infographic skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office software.

• Proven record in efficient, effective assimilation into unfamiliar working environments;

Experience in team-working, strong written and oral communication abilities, fluency in the English language, and be able to time manage