Deadline: June 30, 2015 and October 30, 2015
Applications are now open for the 2016 World YWCA Internship Programme. The World YWCA Internship Programme was established to enhance and further develop young women’s leadership. Participants are exposed to the work of the World YWCA Movement and gain experience in areas such as programme development, leadership, advocacy, communications, financial development and management.
As part of the World Office team in Geneva, Switzerland, the internship provides opportunities to develop expertise on global issues particularly in the World YWCA priority areas of young women’s leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and violence against women. There are vacancies for one year internship as well as short-tern advocacy/communication internships. Find details below.
One–year Internship
There will be an emphasis on supporting advocacy through communications, programmes and movement building on the priority themes violence against women and sexual reproductive health and rights and HIV and young women’s leadership in 2016. Internship opportunities will exist in the communications team and programme team, with a goal to ensure interns experience the diversity of the work of the World YWCA.
The internship programme will include assisting with the implementation of the World YWCA strategic framework, the young women’s strategy and building a strong sustainable movement. It will also include working with the communications team in reporting and engaging with young women and the movement through a range of information, communication and technologies, as well as supporting international training events and World YWCA representation at sessions of United Nations Human Rights Council and CEDAW Committee.
The one-year internship begins 1 February 2016 and ends 16 December 2016. The deadline for applications is June 30th, 2015. More information at World YWCA General info – one year Internship.pdf.
Short–term/Advocacy and Communications Internships
The World YWCA advocacy internships offer the opportunity for a minimum of four young women from YWCAs around the world to develop their skills and knowledge on advocacy and activism through training and exposure to the work and mechanisms of the UN system. This typically includes participation in one UN or international event such as the annual UN Commissions on the Status of Women or one of the sessions of the CEDAW Committee or UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.
The internship provides opportunities to develop expertise on global issues particularly in the World YWCA priority areas of young women’s leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and violence against women.
The deadline for applications is October 30, 2015, following World Council. Applicants and their member associations will be informed early 2016. More information at World YWCA General info TOR short-term Internship.pdf
Benefits
- The World YWCA will cover the most economical and direct route airfare from and to the home country of the participant.
- The World YWCA is responsible for the accommodation, stipends, local transport and health insurance.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be between 22 and 30 years of age
- Each candidate’s participation must be endorsed by her national YWCA
- Opportunities are open to young women from all member associations, however preference will be given to developing countries for the one-year internship due to current donor funding restrictions
- Applicants must be actively involved in their YWCA, either as a volunteer or staff member and demonstrate strong interest and enthusiasm in the World YWCA movement.
- Successful candidates must commit to sharing the experience gained with their YWCA following the internship, and their association must commit to integrating their leadership/experience into the association upon the return home
Requirements
Applicants are required to have:
- A minimum of two years of active involvement with the YWCA
- A strong commitment to women’s rights and leadership
- Previous experience in advocacy and/or activism on women’s rights is an asset
- A good working knowledge of English, both oral and written, is essential
- Independent and self-reliant, willing to take initiative, creative, hardworking, and flexible
- The ability to relate their present experience and interests to the work of the World YWCA and how they and their member association will make use of the experience upon the return home
A completed application should include:
- A Curriculum Vitae (preferably in word, rtf or PDF)
- Endorsement form signed by the national association
- Completed Application form
- A short essay (preferably in word, rtf or PDF)
- One reference letter (preferably in word, rtf or PDF)
Young women wishing to apply for internships must be endorsed by their national association.
Deadlines:
- One year Internship – June 30, 2015.
- Short Term Advocacy and Communications Internship – October 30, 2015.
For more information, visit World YWCA Internship Programme.
