Based in Portland, Seattle, Boston or Washington, D.C.

Spring 2012

Contributors are expected to fulfill a minimum commitment of 8-to-10 hours per week for 4-6 months.

UNPAID

This is a voluntary internship. Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with travel to and from the Mercy Corps headquarters or regional office.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps is seeking one (1) intern to work on its Global Envision program. Global Envision is Mercy Corps' blog that explores market solutions to poverty through commentary and discussion about current events. The Global Envision contributor internship is ideal for candidates who are self-described ‘news junkies’ and who can boil down complex international topics into bite-sized but thoughtful commentary, and connect the dots between global poverty, markets and business.

Global Envision interns are expected to:

• Research and monitor multiple forms of global media outlets, including traditional news outlets, blogs, and social networking sites to identify content for the Global Envision blog;
• Write brief, engaging and thoughtful commentary on timely issues;
• Meet deadlines according to an agreed-upon filing schedule and editorial calendar;
• Work with the writing coach and peers to edit and polish commentary pieces to be published on Global Envision’s blog;
• Support team efforts to grow website traffic and cultivate new and returning readers through strategic social media engagement;
• Assist with any related projects that may occur during the length of the internship, including event assistance related to the program’s Lecture Series;
• Attend bi-monthly group workshops to explore a topic relevant to the success of the blog (such as honing interviewing skills, social media tips and tools, writing an engaging ‘lede’ and a ‘kicker’, etc.)
• Have an open mind and think creatively about market-based solutions to poverty, and share ideas and trends with the team.

In addition, contributors are encouraged to select a topical focus (or “beat”) to follow in their postings. Examples of focus areas include: technology, health, environment, economics. Within each beat, interns will write about a variety of topics, such as technologies that create social change, impact entrepreneurs and innovations, corporate partnerships for social good, environmental economics, emerging markets, etc.

DELIVERABLES:
• Keep up with current events and trends within the chosen “beat” and identify relevant story ideas; pitch 1-2 story ideas per week to Global Envision program manager and writing coach.
• Follow up with story ideas in a timely manner; submit at least one draft piece for the Global Envision blog per week.
• Work with the Global Envision writing coach to edit and polish each piece for publication.
• Peer edit other Global Envisions interns’ work.
• Post finalized pieces to the blog (prior knowledge of HTML not required)
• Develop draft tweets and posts for the Global Envision Twitter and Facebook accounts.

WHAT THE INTERN CAN EXPECT FROM THE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE:
• Weekly one-on-one interaction with the Global Envision writing coach. Intern can expect to improve writing speed, journalistic accuracy and commentary style.
• Weekly communication with the Global Envision program manager to discuss potential topics for research and commentary. Intern can expect to delve into a variety of issues related to global markets and poverty, and dig deeply into particular areas of interest.
• Develop critical thinking. Intern will gather source material from a wide variety of traditional and non-traditional outlets, improving ability to draw conclusions and make connections from disparate opinions and perspectives.
• Opportunity to attend a variety of Mercy Corps-related events including speakers and lectures, as well as attend relevant events in the greater Portland community.
• Identify and interview thought leaders with the intern’s chosen “beat”.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:
• Extremely competent writing ability in the English language required.
• Minimum completion of 2 years of college. Graduate students are welcome to apply.
• Related work experience or course of study – e.g. business, marketing, journalism, communications, public relations, advocacy, international relations or international development.
• Passion for Mercy Corps’ mission and enthusiasm for collaboration among the private, public and nonprofit sectors in addressing global issues.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate and work virtually with peers and Global Envision program manager and writing coach.
• Strong interest in journalism, blogs, social media and international affairs.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to work independently and as part of a team, while meeting deadlines.
• Strong web-research and social networking skills.

TO APPLY:
Applicants MUST apply via the Mercy Corps website and upload both a resume and cover letter. Please visit http://www.mercycorps.org/jobs and click on “Internships” on the right-hand side.

Click here for the direct link.

APPLY TO GSEC 2012 by November 9, 2011!

NEW THIS YEAR: travel scholarships will be awarded to eligible team members, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

GSEC is a leading-edge international social venture plan competition, where interdisciplinary student teams from around the world propose creative, commercially viable businesses aimed at reducing poverty in the developing world.

From innovative sanitation solutions in Kenya, to solar-powered modular power generators in Papua New Guinea, to prick-less anemia scanners in India, GSEC business plans demonstrate the power of business to create sustainable, positive change to some of the world’s most challenging social problems.

Each year, GSEC brings the world to UW: semi-finalist student teams from around the globe are invited to Seattle for GSEC Week. Teams visit regional companies, receive expert coaching, present their business ideas to 400+ professionals, and compete for monetary prizes.

GSEC 2012 will award at least $30,000 in prizes, including a GSEC grand, global health, and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) prize!

The professional support to GSEC is unparalleled: annually more than 200 experts participate as mentors, judges, and sponsors. We welcome this invaluable support, from individuals at organizations like Costco, Gray Ghost Ventures, Microsoft, PATH, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle International Foundation, the Grameen Foundation, and more. Learn more.

The 2011 Circuit Program members in a session on measuring social and environmental impact. Photo from PSU.

Obsessed with a business idea that will make the world a better place? Open to taking a hard look at your ideas and making them better? Hoping to start a nonprofit that will generate its own revenue, or a business that will address a social or environmental problem? Apply for the SII Circuit Program!

The Circuit Program is a six-month series of group workshops for startup social entrepreneurs. The workshops, taught by local experts, cover such topics as business law, planning and strategy, marketing and sales, financial estimates, and other essential skills. At the end of the Program, participants will pitch their business concepts to a panel of experts and an audience of community members and peers. In 2011, six startup social entrepreneurs went through the Program. Click here to read more about their ventures and experiences.

Learn more: view an online presentation about the program or request additional information from Cindy Cooper at impactentrepreneurs@pdx.edu.
To Apply: fill out this online application by November 11. Applicants will be notified by November 21 whether or not they have been accepted for a Business Planning Workshop in December. Five Circuit Program members will be selected from the workshop participants (additional info to be provided at the workshop).

Detailed Info:
Applicants must attend a Business Planning Workshop (7:30-10 a.m. on December 2) to be considered for the full program. The Workshop costs $25, payable at the door. Breakfast is included. Laptops are required. Details on applying for the full program will be given at the workshop.

The Circuit Program costs $350, payable when notified of acceptance to the full program. This subsidized fee includes breakfasts, business planning software, an expert business model evaluation, and additional mentoring valued at $8,000.

Each organization that applies must select one founding member to attend workshops.
Membership Criteria:

Applicants must have a concept for a social enterprise: a for-profit business that will address a pressing social or environmental problem through core business operations, or a nonprofit organization that will generate a substantial portion of its own revenue.

Applicants also must demonstrate a deep commitment to their concept, a willingness to accept coaching, and an openness to sharing and problem solving with their peers in the Circuit Program. Social ventures with technology inventions are encouraged to apply.
Calendar of Sessions:

All regular workshops are scheduled for a Friday from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. If accepted, you must commit to attending the Business Planning Workshop, the final Pitch Fest, and at least five other workshops.

December 2: Business Planning Workshop
January 20: Circuit workshop
February 3: Circuit workshop
March 2: Circuit workshop
April 6: Circuit workshop
May 4: Circuit workshop
June 1: Circuit workshop
June 29: Circuit Pitch Fest and Graduation

GES-Banner.jpg

*Applications due 11/15/2011. See below for details.*

The mission of the Global Engagement Summit is to build the capacity of the next generation of global change leaders. By providing tangible skills training and connecting driven students with innovative thought leaders, GES strives to empower students to make the change they wish to see in the world, and produce responsible solutions to shared global problems.

WHAT IS GES?

GES, founded in 2005, is completely student-founded, student-organized, and student-run by a team of 50-60 Northwestern undergraduate students. Through our annual Summit, yearlong programming, and staff curriculum, we build the capacity of the next generation of global change makers. Delegates and staff come together to understand the challenges of and opportunities for their engagement; to hone the skills and mindsets that will enable them to better plan, execute, and participate in change-based projects; and to connect with like-minded peers from around the world. GES is the only conference of its kind for students, as it not only provides them with the tangible skills and resources to move beyond good intentions towards action, but also equips them to think more critically about their efforts and ask the right questions when going out and making change in the world.

THE SUMMIT

Every April, approximately 80 student delegates from universities across the globe come to Northwestern University, each with their own community development project or social entrepreneurship venture that they hope to bring to the next level. Delegate projects range in topic, regional focus, and stage of completion (idea, planning, implementation, and execution). The Summit features a week of capacity-building workshops, critical discussions, community building and networking, and outcome resources. GES is personally tailored to each delegate’s interests, on topics ranging from “social impact metrics” to “blending for-profit and non-profit models” to “using social media for social good,” and connects them with mentors that are leaders of various social change organizations.

YEAR-LONG EXPERIENCE

Throughout the year, in addition to our annual Summit, GES provides staff members of our thirteen different teams with the same tools, skills, and training as provided to delegates at the Summit. With a comprehensive curriculum that includes dynamic workshops, leadership training, current events analysis, and provocative discussion, staff is provided with a working knowledge of community development and global issues, as well as a powerful and supportive community dedicated to social change. Supplemented by multiple events held on NU’s campus throughout the year for the broader Northwestern community, as well as alumni gatherings that we organize regionally and worldwide, GES staff and NU students are offered a unique forum for discussion as well as the resources and opportunities needed to make the change they want to see in the world.

APPLY
Any applicants currently enrolled at an American university should complete the American Delegates application. This includes both US and International students. If you are an international citizen and are currently enrolled in, recently (within 1 year) graduated from, or will soon (within 1 year) be enrolled in an international university, please apply to be an International Delegate.

Contact american@theges.org or international@theges.org with any questions.

*This is not connected with Global Envision.