Search for Common Ground

• Location
  Brussels, Belgium
• Sector
  Non Profit
• Experience
  Internship

Position description

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. With a total of approximately 1,000 staff worldwide, Search implements projects from 54 offices in 34 countries, including in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States.

The Global Programs team at Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking a full-time intern from January to June 2024 to provide programmatic and administrative support to the Women’s Inclusion in New Security (WINS), a global project focused on women, peace and security (WPS), implemented across six countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, Lebanon and Yemen) - and including a global Rapid Response Fund (RRF) mechanism. The project provides specific funding and technical assistance to local women-led groups to grow and sustain local capacities for peacebuilding.

We are seeking a dedicated and dynamic intern to provide significant programmatic and administrative support to the Global Women, Peace, and Security Rapid Response Fund and other critical tasks pertaining to the project. This role is crucial in supporting our efforts to respond swiftly to the evolving needs of Women Led Organizations (WLOs) in various country contexts. This position is not just a support role; it's a cornerstone of our operations, vital for responding rapidly to the ever-changing needs of WLOs in various international contexts. As an intern, you will be integrally involved, working closely with the WINS Rapid Response Fund team to ensure effective coordination and streamlined management of the fund’s activities.

Key responsibilities

• • Active Participation and Review (50%): 
  • Conduct initial reviews of new applications according to the RRF assessment criteria.
  • Regularly attend check-in meetings, briefings, roundtables, hearings, and other relevant events. 
  • Take detailed notes and share insightful summaries with the team, ensuring everyone is up-to-date and informed.
  • Core Administration and Logistics support for RRF (20%): Offer extensive logistical and administrative assistance for the daily management of the Fund. This encompasses a range of support activities including the following: 
  • Classify and organize new applications as per Search's internal procedures, and regularly update the RRF tracker with recent inquiries and applications. 
  • Translate applications received in languages other than English using advanced translation software to ensure accurate understanding and effective communication.
  • Maintain proper and well-organized filing of these documents on our digital drives and systems, ensuring that all translated documents are accurately cataloged and easily accessible and assist in managing documentation process. 
  • Monitor the RRF email, respond to inquiries and provide initial guidance to Women Led Organizations (WLOs) interested in applying to the RRF.
  • Research and Monitoring (15%): 
  • Conduct comprehensive research on recent contextual shifts, policies, legislation, and evolving priorities in the realm of Women, Peace, and Security in WINS target countries. This includes diligent monitoring and regular updating of crucial country-specific data, ensuring the team is informed of significant changes.
  • Adaptive Project Involvement (15%): Engage flexibly in a variety of essential tasks as required, showcasing adaptability and commitment to the project’s diverse needs.

Competences

• • Completed a degree in International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Gender Studies, Political Science, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct thorough research, especially in areas related to Women, Peace, and Security as well as familiarity with conducting contextual analysis in international settings.
  • Demonstrated interest and experience in WPS.
  • Capacity for critical analysis and the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise summaries.
  • Strong organizational skills, including the ability to classify, track, and manage large volumes of information and applications.
  • Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in handling various tasks and adjusting to shifting priorities and needs.
  • Keen attention to detail, especially in monitoring and updating crucial data.
  • Ability to work effectively in a team, willingness to take initiative, be proactive in participating in meetings and events, and actively engage in all aspects of the project.
  • Awareness and sensitivity to different cultures and contexts, especially in international settings.
  • Fluency in English, written and spoken, is essential, and proficiency in additional languages relevant to the RRF target countries is beneficial (French, Arabic, Spanish). Commitment to 32-40 hours per week

Supervision

The intern will be part of the Global Programmes Team and will be supervised by a Programme Officer.

Working conditions

Usual office environment in Brussels. Search Belgium currently has a policy requiring at least 2 days per week presence in the office.  

Salary and contract

The internship will fall under the Convention d’Immersion Professionnelle (CIP) or Beroepsinlevingsstage, a framework for internships in Belgium for recent graduates. Hence the candidate must have completed their studies and have the legal ability to live and work in Belgium (this includes citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland). The internship will be compensated with 997,- EUR/month (full-time). 

We are expecting this internship to be full-time and for 6 months, exceptions to this can be discussed during the recruitment process.

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