Counterpart builds the capacity of leaders, organizations, and social sector networks to solve pressing challenges. For more than 50 years, we have supported solution creators — our counterparts — in more than 65 countries. Our current project portfolio of over $350 million supports programming in peace and security, food security, democratic and effective governance, health, and climate resilience. Our counterparts and focus areas include women and girls, youth, indigenous people, LGBTI, and people with disabilities. 

In Bangladesh, Counterpart’s Promoting Advocacy and Rights program works to strengthen the capacity of Bangladesh’s civil society to work with government actors for better governance and inclusive democratic practices. Counterpart supports civil society’s advocacy efforts and their ability to engage with constituents and the Government of Bangladesh, providing capacity building on evidence based research skills, digital security, and advocacy campaigns. Two years in, the program is at a critical juncture and will be focusing predominantly on supporting local civil society organizations to campaign for policy reform surrounding five key community-identified issues: environmental pollution, unplanned urbanization, economic marginalization of minorities, gender-based violence, and drug abuse.

Over an eight (8) week period of time, you would work to support a Counterpart International Field Office in their administrative and technical management of the project, Promoting Advocacy and Rights program. An intern would be expected to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Provide logistical and administrative support to field office teams; 
• Build financial management skills by assisting with the drafting of consulting agreements, processing invoices, grants administration, cash advance requests, and expense reports;
• Learn about monitoring and evaluation by reviewing documentation for quality and completeness against pre-defined parameters and providing feedback, as necessary;
• Help the team in researching, writing, editing, proofreading and updating programmatic documentation for internal and/or external use (e.g., desk reviews, fact sheets, quarterly reports, annual work plans, trip reports, donor success and impact stories, and past performance reviews);
• Conduct policy research on current human rights in the country;
• Conduct key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and expert interviews to support your research in human rights.
• Other tasks as needed.

As working in the field (and in development) is a fast-paced environment, each intern must show initiative in pursuing tasks and topics that they believe would best suit their learning. 

Upon return to UD, you will take on the following tasks:

• Prepare and make a minimum of two HRC related presentations on your fieldwork, experience and reflections with Cristosal 
• Write a blog reflecting on your experience to be published on the HRC website 
• Provide photos and other materials for promotional purposes
• Undertake other promotional activities for the internship placement as an alum of the placement as required 

Personal Attributes

• Flexibility: Day to day in the field can change rapidly, and being able to take each change in stride is a great asset when working in the field. This goes hand in hand with being able to operate independently.
• Openness: Being open to learning, as well as fitting the on-the-ground realities into your existing paradigms about the country, is a must. 
• Strong interpersonal skills: Whether during subject matter expert interviews or engaging with Counterpart staff on a daily basis, understanding personal sensitivities and cultural working styles is important while pursuing research.

Required Skills

• Current undergraduate or graduate/law student in international affairs, international development, public policy, law or a related field;
• Ability to work independently as well as proactively seek out information from diverse groups and collaborate as a strong team player to create new processes and resolve issues; 
• Strong communication, time-management, and organizational skills;
• Demonstrated ability to perform under pressure and an ability to focus on details;
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook);  
• Fluency in English with strong writing skills is required, Bangla skills are not required but would be beneficial.

1. Participants will need a passport that expires no sooner than 6 months after returning from the internship, proof of health insurance and SOS provided by the Center for International Programs (which covers international medical evacuation insurance). 
2. Students are responsible to obtain a visa prior to arrival, for multiple entries. This visa should last for a maximum of 90 days.
3. Timeline: A minimum of 8 weeks’ availability between the dates of May 27, 2020 and August 24, 2020. 
4. The following documents signed in agreement with Counterpart International:
   1. Conflict of Interest
   2. Non-Disclosure Agreement
   3. Global Code of Conduct
5. Applicants must be UD students (Undergraduate, Graduate/Law) returning to campus in fall 2020.
6. Financial means to cover program expenses including travel and accommodation.

• Counterpart Internship Application deadline: March 15, 2020
• To apply: 
  1. Complete this application form
  2. Email your resume to hrc@udayton.edu with “Summer 2020- Counterpart Internship” in the subject line. 
• Undergraduate applicants seeking funding who meet the eligibility requirements should apply separately for the HRC Curran Renzetti Scholarship (Deadline for this scholarship is February 15, 2020)
• Graduate applicants seeking funding who meet the eligibility requirements should apply separately for the HRC Grad/Law Summer Grants (Deadline for this grant is March 6, 2020)
• Applicants will be invited for two interviews, one at the Human Rights Center and finalists with Counterpart.