Applications will be received until COB 1/10/22 or until 100-150 applications have been received
Current US work authorization is required (including applicable international student visas)

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Remote

DATES OF INTERNSHIP: January - May 2022

HOURS PER WEEK: 20 hours/week

INTERNS SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION:
Director of Technology for Development

FUNDING AVAILABLE: $1300/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.

The Technology for Development (T4D) team is housed within the Program Department’s Technical Support Unit. It collaborates with Mercy Corps’ global teams and external partners to unlock new possibilities that increase program quality, impact and innovation, helping improve more lives through the power of technology. We think beyond today’s context, exploring how we can use current and emerging technology to shrink the global digital divide and help people in vulnerable communities adapt to and overcome evolving challenges. Our mission and purpose are to drive sustainable program impact through responsible application of existing and emerging digital technologies (i.e. digital identity, digital payments, big data analytics, etc.). Mercy Corps is focused on driving the use of digital technologies to maximize scale, efficiency and impact within key strategic outcome areas, such as Food Security; Economic Opportunity; Water and Climate Adaptation; Peace and Governance; and Humanitarian Response.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• An understanding of emerging technologies in the aid and development space
• A framework by which to evaluate the applicability of new technologies in the Mercy Corps context
• An analysis of what key donors are looking for in the use of technology
• An understanding of what Mercy Corps and other organizations are doing in this space

DELIVERABLES:

• Assist in compiling 8-10 page donor landscape assessment of trends in the institutional, foundational, and corporate giving spaces as it relates to technology for development
• Assist in compiling 6-8 page analysis of key technologies and applications to watch in the next 2-4 years with linkages to humanitarian and development sector application.
• Conduct an assessment of peer organizations and their use of the aforementioned technologies

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• University degree in progress or recently completed (within 1 year) in relevant discipline
• Effective verbal and written communication, multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills.
• Fluency in English
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team
• Demonstrated flexibility, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit

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.