Internship: Human Resources

Are you interested in learning about both international and domestic employment laws and human resources practices?

HR INTERNSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE ON A ROLLING BASIS FROM ONE ACADEMIC SEMESTER TO THE NEXT ACADEMIC SEMESTER.

If so, we have just the right opportunity for you at Search for Common Ground. Please read more...

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 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 28 offices in 19 countries. SFCG’s programs are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the United States.  

Work Environment
The Internship Program at Search provides a learning experience that includes a great work environment; hard-working, friendly co-workers; team-building opportunities; opportunities to learn and grow; the ability to apply classroom theory in the workplace; and involvement in staff events (i.e. monthly staff meetings, peace-building movies, and occasional brown bag sessions, such as informational seminars presented by employees). The organization has won numerous awards.

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

• Assisting in recruiting employees for various positions, conducting reference checks and maintaining hiring information;
• Conducting benefits administration and reporting;
• Developing and/or revising various special human resources projects (new employee orientation, employee benefits summary, etc.);
• Developing and/or revising HR policies and procedures;
• Developing and/or revising HR forms;
• Coordinating the internship program;
• Filing personnel information; and
• Miscellaneous clerical work (faxing, mailing, printing, database entry, etc.).

The ideal candidate will exhibit:

• Human resources or business administration major in either undergraduate (junior or senior) or graduate school or a recent or upcoming graduate;
• Strong, hard-working work ethic;
• Mature, pleasant and honest manner;
• Highly confidential manner;
• A keen interest in international affairs;
• Excellent organizational skills with a proactive style;
• Self-starting, enthusiastic and flexible approach to the organization;
• Ability to work well individually as well as a member of a team;
• Ability to learn and implement tasks quickly;
• Excellent attention to detail;
• Excellent and professional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills;
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and the Internet;
• Desire to work in a non-profit setting;
• Punctual, reliable and dependable;
• Ability to type at least 50 wpm is a plus (but not a requirement); and
• French language skills a plus, but not necessary.

Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to employment@sfcg.org. Please state the title:  HR Intern in the subject line. Please also note where you found this internship posting. No Phone Calls Please.

In your cover letter, please clearly state why our program is of interest to you, what you can bring to the organization, and what experience you hope to gain from the internship. Also, please include the dates of your availability and the number of hours per week to which you can commit. While we will make this a very rewarding internship experience for you, please note this is an unpaid internship.

NOTE:  Local Washington, DC Metro Area (DC, MD or VA) Candidates Only, unless you are relocating to the DC area at your own expense.