ANERA Internships

Internships are available throughout the year to undergraduates who have completed at least one year of school, recent graduates, and graduate students. Positions are available for summer, fall or winter with the possibility for year-long internships. Work hours can range from 20 to 35 hours a week. Internships are unpaid.

About ANERA

ANERA is one of the largest, oldest American non-profits working in the Middle East. We are a non-political and non-religious organization that helps local institutions become more self-sufficient and effective in serving their communities. Every project is planned in consultation with the communities that ultimately benefit — an approach that ensures relevancy and commitment, and secures the long-term viability of the projects.

The Work

Interns at ANERA are directly involved in the work of the teams they support, from details to strategic planning. They attend weekly meetings and participate in brainstorming and implementation. It is an opportunity for hands-on experience in fundraising and international development from the viewpoint of a non-profit organization. Depending on which team you support, your work could include dealing with donors, database research for new business development, drafting and/or editing funding proposals, writing and/or editing stories for the website and social media, press releases, or tracking and monitoring in-kind donation deliveries to communities in the Middle East.

Ideal internship candidates are resourceful, enterprising and good team players. All interns are expected to handle some clerical duties.

Internship Opportunities

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COMMUNICATIONS

The communications team is responsible for the public image of ANERA and its mission. We design and produce all the informational brochures and publications related to ANERA’s work, which supports our fundraising activities. We maintain contact with the media and produce reports, press releases, commentaries and other information for distribution in print and online media, including social media and blogs.

Responsibilities
Research statistics and draft special reports highlighting conditions where ANERA works and how we respond to the needs. Help draft press releases and assemble slideshows. Help edit project reports, fact sheets and other printed materials as well as stories from the field to post on the website. Maintain updated photo and story archive. Interns will help keep ANERA’s Twitter, Facebook and Flikr accounts active.

Required Skills
Ability to write compelling human interest and news stories
Excellent interpersonal, analytical, and communications (both written and oral) skills
Ability to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint

Desired Skills
Ability to use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flikr
Ability to use Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator

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FUNDRAISING

The fundraising team advances the mission of ANERA through innovative and project-oriented fundraising activities. Interns assigned to this department share responsibility for identifying potential individual, foundation, and corporate donors, cultivating relationships, and managing data and records.

Responsibilities
Help identify potential sources of individual and foundation support. Assist in the development of new and imaginative fundraising approaches, and in preparation of proposals and project plans.

Work on logistics, such as travel arrangements or conference calls to assist contact with donors. Help prepare project reports for individual donors; compile, copy and mail documents to board members. Regularly attend team and staff meetings, provide assistance answering phones. Help with maintaining databases to record donor contacts.

Required Skills
Good writing and editing skills
Microsoft Office and Excel

Desired Skills
Database experience a plus

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NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Business development at ANERA explores and pursues foundation and government grants to expand our ability to serve Palestinian communities in the Middle East. The team identifies potential funding sources and drafts proposals, based on our project experience and field expertise. Interns works directly with the vice president for new business development and also supports ANERA’s In-Kind medical and relief program.

Responsibilities
Research funding opportunities. Copy edit and format funding proposals. Help develop proposal budgets and brief program descriptions for fundraising purposes. Track important shipments of in-kind donations to Middle East. Compile, edit and submit final reports to in-kind donors. Update fact sheets and other printed materials for in-kind program.

Required Skills
Good writing and editing skills
Microsoft Office and Excel

Desired Skills
Research experience

Application Process

Deadlines for applications are:

Fall (August/September – December): July 10
Spring (January– May): November 10
Summer (May – August): March 10

Send the following to internships@anera.org with the subject line "Internship":

• Cover letter
• Resume
• One professional and two academic references (contact information only - no letters, please)
• Brief writing sample on a topic relevant to the Middle East or development issues
• A list of relevant skills, such as knowledge of Arabic, InDesign, database, WordPress, social media
• The name of the department best suited to your interests and background
• Your legal work status, if not a US citizen or permanent resident
• The dates you are available to work (for internships longer than the periods stated above, please indicate this and specify your dates)