Women’s Edge Coalition Global Development Policy Internship

Women’s Edge Coalition Global Development Policy Internship Summer 2007

The Women's Edge Coalition, created in 1998, advocates with the U.S. government for international economic and human right policies that support women worldwide in ending poverty in their lives, communities and nations. The organization pushes to generate dynamic policy approaches that can change the way U.S. international assistance and trade programs operate in order to be most beneficial in increasing economic opportunities for poor women worldwide. The Women’s Edge Coalition has researched and developed several initiatives including the GAINS for Women and Girls Act, the Trade Impact Review, and the Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive (GROWTH) Act.

Time Commitment: 30-40 hours/week, summer commitment (May – August 2007)

The Women’s Edge Coalition’s Global Development Policy program works to ensure that the benefits of U.S. international assistance reach both women and men in developing countries. They do this by raising awareness about women’s roles in development and in their economies among policymakers in Congress and in the Administration; with others in the development community; and with the general public. The Women’s Edge Coalition actively works to increase, monitor and provide accountability on the U.S.’s investment in international assistance programs, especially programs that invest in women and girls, and particularly through indigenous women’s organizations abroad. Their goal is to ensure that U.S. international assistance creates opportunities for women so that their potential is fully tapped for reducing poverty and helping countries develop economically.

Specific duties include:

• Researching and drafting materials on gender in international development issues
• Organizing Women’s Edge Coalition members for meetings with Congress
• Attending coalition meetings
• Tracking current legislation
• Occasionally helping with small administrative tasks, such as updating Edge’s database

Current projects that interns may be involved in include:

• Campaign to End Gender-Based Violence through U.S. Leadership
The Women’s Edge Coalition, together with the Family Violence Prevention Fund and Amnesty International USA, has launched a campaign to significantly increase U.S. activities to eliminate gender-based violence as part of U.S. international assistance programs. Activities will include research on relevant issues, drafting campaign materials, reaching out to Congressional offices, coordinating with Edge coalition members about ways to partner, and coordinating with partners to generate action around the country.

• Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive (GROWTH) Act Campaign
The Women’s Edge Coalition has launched a campaign to increase support for women’s economic opportunity around the world. Activities will include research on relevant issues, reaching out to Congressional offices and organizations to garner additional support for the campaign, coordinating with Edge coalition members about ways to partner, and coordinating with partners to generate action around the country.

•Millennium Challenge Account
Women’s Edge Coalition is working collaboratively with women’s groups and development groups to monitor the implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account, the Administration’s $1 billion aid initiative, with specific attention to how it integrates gender into program design and implementation. Activities will include organizing and attending coalition meetings, researching developing issues within the Millennium Challenge Corporation, drafting letters or fact sheets to support their positions, outreach to policymakers, and assisting in organizing and coordinating with coalition members.

All of the Women’s Edge Coalition Internships require:

•Superior oral and written communication skills
•Excellent research skills
•Strong interest in international development economics, or political organizing for international women’s issues
•Enthusiastic and self-motivated work style with attention to detail
•Interest and/or course work in international economics, development or women’s issues
•Excellent computer skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
•Experience with Congress a plus

The Women’s Edge Coalition has had much success with many interns. You will learn a lot and get a great reference. We invest a lot in our interns and you will have a high degree of responsibility and very high level of involvement in the organization.

Please send cover letter, resume, short writing sample and 3 references to the address below. Be sure to mention “Global Development Policy Internship” on the application. All materials must be received by April 2, 2007. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

This is an unpaid internship starting May 2007 and ending at the end of August 2007. We are an equal opportunity employer. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. This position will remain open until it is filled.

Contact:     Seema Jalan, Senior Policy Manager
                 Women’s Edge Coalition
                 1825 Connecticut Avenue Suite 800
                 Washington DC 20009
                 Email: sjalan@womensedge.org
                 Website: http://www.womensedge.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=338&Itemid=38