NGO JOBS

Organization: Search for Common Ground
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 29 Aug 2013

The Organization

Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities. With a total of approximately 600 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects in 30 countries, including in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. The organization is an exciting and rewarding place to work, with a dedicated and enthusiastic staff who loves their work. You will join a highly motivated staff with a good team spirit and there will be opportunities to take away valuable skill sets and experience working in a medium-sized non-profit organization.

Summary of Position

Search for Common Ground's Partners in Humanity program, is seeking candidates for a part time internship opportunity to support Partners in Humanity programming, and especially the operation of its flagship project, the Common Ground News Service (CGNews). This internship involves lending support to various projects, especially editing and research, under the direction and supervision of CGNews’ Managing Editor.

The Partners in Humanity program is designed to address feelings of mutual fear and suspicion between the West – especially the United States – and the Muslim world that have arisen because of perceived and real injustices, extreme inequality in political and economic opportunity, and pervasive stereotyping. To promote understanding and communication between the Muslim world and the West, Partners in Humanity seeks to cultivate a sense of shared destiny and serve as a catalyst for Muslim-Western partnerships that reflect mutual respect, a shared commitment to addressing problems and meeting needs, and an ongoing process of mutual learning and challenging of stereotypes.

CGNews provides weekly op-eds, features and analysis by local and international experts on a broad range of issues affecting the relationship between Muslim-majority and Western communities. CGNews commissions and distributes articles and other dynamic media content that is constructive, offers hope and promotes dialogue and mutual understanding to news outlets and subscribers worldwide. CGNews is available in Arabic, English, French, Indonesian and Urdu.

Work Environment

Search for Common Ground has a great work environment with a mission of peacebuilding in the world, hard-working and friendly co-workers, team-building opportunities, and involvement in staff events. Our organization is widely recognized as one of the most impactful organizations in the field of peace and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities

Intern duties are wide-ranging and may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Participate in Partners in Humanity weekly program meetings as part of a small, dynamic team;

• Support CGNews development and distribution – which may include research, staying on top of global trends and issues relevant to Muslim-Western understanding, commissioning, editing and summarizing articles and other content for CGNews by utilizing conflict resolution and facilitation skills in a media space;

• Research and write reports to support new and existing programs;

• Contributing to M&E work for CGNews;

• Help organize two workshops to be held by Partners in Humanity;

• Help manage project logistics for CGNews and Partners in Humanity as needed;

• Attend and report on events in the area related to Muslim-West relations;

• Participate actively in growing the program’s reach, particularly in the realm of social media;

• Other tasks as needed by project staff.

As internship descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will exhibit:

• A graduate level degree or enrollment in a graduate program in conflict resolution, international affairs, Middle Eastern/Islamic studies or related field.

• Excellent editing skills in English;

• Good writing and communication skills;

• Ability to multitask, manage time well and produce work under deadlines;

• A keen interest and knowledge in international affairs, especially pertaining to Muslim-Western relations, the Middle East and North Africa, international media, and/or conflict resolution;

• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills;

• Ability to take full ownership for vital pieces of a peacebuilding project;

• Excellent organizational abilities with a proactive style;

• A self-starting, enthusiastic and flexible approach;

• Computer proficiency with MS Office, Excel, social media, and internet research;

• Arabic or French language skills a plus, but not necessary.

How to apply:

Application Deadline: August 29. Please send a resume and cover letter to Robert Amir Berry, the Managing Editor of CG News and Program Officer of Partners in Humanity, at raberry@sfcg.org. Please include why you are interested in the position and what you hope to gain from the internship, as well as your availability. We are looking for a 20-25 hour per week commitment for the fall semester. This internship is unpaid.