Location: SFCG Headquarters (DC)
Description:

The Track II Mediation Unit of Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is seeking an intern in fall 2010, beginning early September.  The position is unpaid.  We are requesting a 25+ hour per week minimum commitment.  The internship duration is a minimum of 3 months and we prefer candidates who can stay 6 months.

Search for Common Ground’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict—away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions.  We design and implement multifaceted programs that aim to resolve conflict and prevent violence, and we seek to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities.
 

The Track II Mediation Unit focuses on conflicts in which we can conduct activities on unofficial levels to support official agreements or reconciliation.  These Track II processes take many forms, including back channel talks, people-to-people exchanges, cultural diplomacy, confidence-building activities, and shuttle diplomacy between parties.

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

• Conduct research and compile news summaries on countries in which we work, tracking developments in international relations;
• Contribute to research and writing projects, including funding proposals, quarterly program updates, and country analyses;
• Assist with participant and staff travel, visas, and meeting logistics;
• Represent Search for Common Ground at conferences and meetings;
• Assist with other administrative tasks related to the support and maintenance of the Track II Mediation Unit.

The ideal candidate will exhibit:

• Interest in and knowledge of conflict resolution;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Middle East and/or North Africa;
• Proven research skills;
• Superb writing, editing, and communication skills;
• Strong attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks in an organized way;
• Arabic and Farsi language proficiencies strongly desired;
• Ability to work independently and with and in support of a team;
• A self-starting, enthusiastic and flexible attitude;
• Comfortable in a fluid, dynamic environment that can change rapidly.

Interested candidates should email a cover letter, resume and short writing sample to:
Benjamin Gass, Track II Mediation Unit Coordinator at bgass@sfcg.org

In your cover letter, please clearly state why our program is of interest to you, what you can bring to it, and what you hope to gain from the experience.  Also, please include the dates of your availability and the number of hours per week to which you can commit.