World YWCA: Inviting Young Women for One-year Internship Programme, Deadline: 30 September 2016

The World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA) is seeking applications for two or more one-year internships for young women from the movement who are passionate about women’s rights and global change.

The one-year internship programme provides a unique opportunity for two young women from our movement to work as part of the World YWCA staff and volunteer team in Geneva. The internship will provide opportunities to develop skills in advocacy, through communications, programmes and movement building on the priority themes of violence against women, sexual and reproductive health and rights and HIV, and young women’s leadership.

The World YWCA established its Internship Programme to enhance and further develop young women’s leadership. Participants have the opportunity to get hands-on with the work of the World YWCA Movement and gain experience in areas such as programme development, leadership, advocacy, communications, financial development and management.

YWCA’s Global Focus Areas

• Transformative young women and girls’ leadership
• Violence against women and girls
• Child, early and forced marriage
• Peace and justice
• Sexual reproductive health and rights
• Economic empowerment and information and communication technology
• Social, economic and environmental justice and faith and culture

Internship Programme Objectives

• To further develop the skills, experience and knowledge of YWCA young women leaders through active participation as members of the World YWCA staff team, and through exposure to a broad range of programmes and activities.
• To provide training which prepares young women for leadership roles upon return to their own associations and regions as well as for World YWCA leadership roles.
• To widen the scope of World YWCA programmes and activities through young women’s leadership, advocacy and active participation.
• To facilitate interns to build advocacy skills and to advocate for social, economic and environmental justice. To mobilise young women as advocates, champions and leaders on the priority issues of sexual reproductive health and rights, HIV, Violence against women and movement building.

Benefits

• Stipend payments for food and personal needs of CHF1’300 per month for the full period of the internship.
• Training opportunities in leadership, communication platforms, programme development and advocacy work;
• Exposure to the work of international NGOs and UN agencies including representing the World YWCA at UN and international NGO meetings;
• Communications projects such as Monthly E-bulletin, World YWCA website, She Speaks blog, socialmedia and on line campaigns;
• Developing skills in good governance, project development, team building, administration, finance and event planning;
• Opportunities to learn about the work of other national associations through international training and advocacy events.

Selection Criteria

• The ability to be flexible, independent and creative with a desire to learn and a willingness to take initiative and to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Generally applicants should have a minimum of two years active involvement with their YWCA.
• Successful candidates must commit to sharing the experience gained with their YWCA and region following the internship, and their association must commit to integrating their leadership into the association upon their return.
• A strong commitment and passion in achieving women’s rights and leadership.
• A good working knowledge of English, both oral and written, is essential. Knowledge of French and/or Spanish is appreciated.
• Information Communication and technology competencies related skills.
• Programme development and implementation knowledge and experience.
• Applicants must be between 22 and 30 years of age.
• A willingness to be independent, hardworking, flexible, creative and take initiative.
• Previous experience and/or knowledge in advocacy and/or activism on women’s rights.
• Applicants must be from an eligible Official Development Assistance country – this is due to the requirements of the funding partner. The list of eligible countries is in the terms of reference for the internship.
• A commitment 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.
• Each candidate’s participation must be endorsed by her Member YWCA.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must send their applications at the address given on the website.

For more information, please visit World YWCA One-year Internship Programme.