OVERVIEW ChildFund’s External Engagement Team is looking for a policy and advocacy intern who is excited about influencing the emerging advocacy field dedicated to ending the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The ideal candidate would be excited about both domestic and foreign policy advocacy and communications. The ideal candidate would have some background and a strong interest in the health, safety, education, and empowerment of young people and some knowledge of child protection, child development, and U.S. government policies and strategies.

ChildFund is a child-focused International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) which, since 1938, has worked with local implementing partners (LIPs), governments, and other partner organizations to help create the safe environments children need to thrive. The person in this role will gain practical policy analysis and advocacy experience at an INGO while contributing to ChildFund’s advocacy objectives to improve U.S. government policy to prevent and respond to online sexual abuse and exploitation.

The internship is PAID with a flexible weekly time commitment (25-29 hours).

The internship duration is for six months (approximately January 2022 to July 2022) with the opportunity for extension, depending on the needs of the External Engagement team.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide support in coordinating civil society actors on children’s and youth issues, including:
• Setting up meetings, taking notes, succinctly capturing action items, and ensuring key players follow through on established deadlines in coalition settings.
• Drafting policy briefs, op-eds, policy analyses, and other written materials
• Leading the coordination of a coalition workplan and ensuring that the document remains relevant and up-to-date.
• Participating in meetings with congressional staff or staff from Congress, USAID, the Department of State and other relevant government officials.
• Provide additional ad-hoc support, as needed, for ChildFund’s other advocacy priorities.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program with a specialization in international affairs, public policy, sociology, public health, or a related discipline.
• Advanced computer skills, with proficiency in using Microsoft Office suite applications, e.g., Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and social media, especially Twitter.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize multiple requests based on deadlines and importance.
• Experience writing short reports, policy briefs, blogs or op-eds a plus.
• Team player.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this internship, please upload a cover letter, resume, and short writing sample. Only applications that include all 3 documents as a PDF file will be considered. Priority will be given to those who apply before January 19, 2022.

Since this is a paid opportunity, interns must have the legal right to work for any employer in the United States.

about childfund international ChildFund International (ChildFund) [www.childfund.org] is a child-focused International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) which, since 1938, has worked with local implementing partners (LIPs), governments, and other partner organizations to help create the safe environments children need to thrive. ChildFund’s twofold purpose is to (a) help deprived, excluded, and vulnerable children around the world. This is done by improving their lives and helping them become adults who bring positive change to their communities; and (b) promote societies that value, protect, and advance the worth and rights of children. ChildFund has direct programming in communities in twenty countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas, including the United States. ChildFund works across three key life stages to tailor interventions to meet children’s evolving needs as they develop from infancy through young adulthood. ChildFund’s Research and Learning team implements a research program to support thought leadership, visibility, and overall learning around the organization’s child development and child protection work. Research initiatives include both internal and external evidence synthesis, formative research, and primary and research studies.