The application window will close when 100-150 applications have been received or no later than COB 12/28/21.
US work authorization is required for this internship (US resident or applicable international student visa)

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Remote (Our team is fully disbursed globally)
DATES OF INTERNSHIP: January 1, 2022, to August 30, 2022
HOURS PER WEEK: 20 hours
INTERN SUPERVISOR: Managing Partner, MCV
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: $1,300/month

Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

• Training and supervisory support
• Access to Mercy Corps online tools
• All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project

Intern responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

• Laptop for working remotely
• Accommodation, travel and living expenses

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV) invests in and fuels high-impact enterprises that increase the resilience of people and communities in frontier markets. Founded in 2015 as the venture capital arm of global development agency, Mercy Corps, we’ve supported 30+ early-stage ventures to scale and raise over $125 million in follow-on capital. Our portfolio centers around solutions that build climate resilience and financial resilience, so those living in frontier markets can withstand disruption and plan for the future.

Through targeted support, strategic collaborations, and insight sharing, we further catalyze the ecosystem towards smarter, more impactful investments. We’ve built out a large toolbox because that’s what’s needed to address complex problems and create sustainable, scalable impact. We are developing a vibrant portfolio of innovative, scalable companies and partnerships that have proven, high-impact solutions. For more information, check out our 2020 Annual Impact Report and Website.

Mercy Corps’ impact investing, innovative finance initiatives, and partnerships with high-impact technology companies reside in Mercy Corps Ventures. Mercy Corps strives to be the leading INGO in applying technology solutions, innovative business models, and impact investing to optimize the impact and effectiveness of humanitarian aid and development.

We’ve closed >35 investments to date across Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and SE Asia since our founding in 2015. We have two recorded exits, >80% follow-on rate, and aim to close an additional 20+ deals through 2023. Our partners include Ripple, Celo, Diem, Terra, Bayer, Google, WEF, and many of the top emerging markets VC funds.

Our internship program is designed to fully train current graduate students to be an Investment Associate over the course of 9 months. They will sit on the investment team and work closely with partners both on the current portfolio and potential new investments. They will gain exposure to our large network of startup and growth companies, as well as insight into our investment decision process. The intern will provide support on pipeline development by screening and analyzing promising startups that are developing innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. They will work closely as a peer and apprentice of the core team on all facets of transactions, from pipeline screening and due diligence to development of investment thesis, terms structuring, presentation to investment committee, and post-investment support.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Exposure to entrepreneurial ecosystems, tech sector, investors/venture capital, and government and policy actors within MCV focus geographies
• Experience in full investment lifecycle, particularly in investment landscaping, sourcing, and due diligence.
• Exposure to a wide range of investment structures and instruments tailored to early-stage startups in emerging markets
• Experience researching and landscaping specific sectors in emerging markets.

DELIVERABLES:

• Assist in the closing of as many as 6 investments from initial screening to diligence to investment memo defense with the Investment Committee
• Produce competitive and ecosystem analysis for at least 10 investment opportunities
• Assist in the screening of approximately 50 deals/quarter
• (As needed) Market analysis of climate adaptation and financial technology sub-sectors and trends

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

We are looking for people who share our enthusiasm for innovation and working with entrepreneurs from the earliest days. More than any particular background, we look for candidates who are intellectually curious, have strong analytical and communication skills, thrive off of new ideas and can push our thinking. Candidates should have demonstrated a high level of initiative in a prior activity. The ideal candidate should be a hustler and highly self-motivated; they should be hungry to source, screen and close deals - a truly unique opportunity for graduate students to build their own deal sheet.

We are hoping for candidates from a myriad of diverse backgrounds and professions. In this cycle, we are planning to hire two interns.

• First or second-year student in a graduate program (MBA or equivalent degree with foundational finance studies)
• Foundational grasp of finance and financial modeling strongly preferred, but not required
• Prior experience in management consulting, finance, investment and/or as part of a startup founding team a plus
• Knowledge of business acumen and a fundamental grasp of the venture capital model
• Prior due diligence and/or valuation experience a plus
• Some basic expertise in one of the following areas is a plus: financial services, financial inclusion, fintech, agriculture / agtech, climate, and/or crypto technologies

Mercy Corps interns represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps Diversity Statement

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Mercy Corps Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon 97204

Mercy Corps: https://www.mercycorps.org/

In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any relevant experience, and demonstrate your interest. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews.