Peacebuilding & Development Institute Spring 2008

Peacebuilding & Development Institute Spring 2008 Internship and Volunteer Positions Apply Now – It’s Not Too Late!!!

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 and volunteer 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 OverviewInterns and volunteers 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. Internships are unpaid and may be taken for academic credit. PDI is still looking for one or two more interns for the spring – apply now!

Positions Available (see below for details)
1. Summer Institute Domestic Team
2. Summer Institute International Team
3. Web Development Associate
4. Grant Management Associate
5. Communications Associate

Summer Institute Domestic Team Member

The Summer Institute Domestic Team will assist PDI staff with strategic marketing and logistical management of PDI’s annual Summer Institute (June 2008) to AU graduate and undergraduate students and practitioners and professionals living or working in the DC area and throughout the U.S. The Summer Institute is a three-week series of one-week, two-credit courses designed for IPCR, ID, and IP students to gain practical, real-world skills while working alongside international and domestic NGO practitioners. The team of interns will utilize creative means in order to express the scope, mission, and opportunities of PDI and its Summer Institute to AU students and the domestic NGO community. Interns must be highly organized, professional, and willing to lead a team of peers. A strong candidate has an intimate knowledge of American University and the School of International Service as well as experience with Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Microsoft Publisher, InDesign, and/or other graphic communication tools. The winning candidate will commit to staying in the position through the Summer Institute’s conclusion at the end of June 2008.

Summer Institute International Coordinator

The Summer Institute International Team will work closely with PDI staff to bring 60 – 100 international NGO practitioners to Washington, DC for PDI’s annual Summer Institute in June 2008. The Summer Institute is a three-week series of one-week, two-credit courses designed for IPCR, ID, and IP students to gain practical, real-world skills while working alongside international NGO practitioners. The team of interns will coordinate marketing efforts to PDI’s international networks, manage the international participant application and scholarship process, and lead a team in general correspondence with and stewardship of applicants and participants. Candidates may supervise and delegate tasks to fellow interns; experience in a supervisory role is beneficial but not required. Similarly, experience living or working abroad is helpful, as the team will assist international applicants through visa processes. Candidates must be highly organized, professional, and able to think critically to overcome obstacles. The winning candidate will commit to staying in the position through the Summer Institute’s conclusion at the end of June 2008.

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.

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, as well as other grant programs as they become available. 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, program flyers, 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.

Requirements

The Peacebuilding & Development Institute requires a 15 hour commitment for all academic intern positions. For volunteer positions, PDI expects an 8 to 15 hour commitment. All candidates must be living in the Washington, DC area. 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. Please apply now in order to secure your spring 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 French at (202) 885-2018. Please visit us for more information http://www.american.edu/sis/peacebuilding