World Young Women’s Christian Association (World YWCA) Internship Programme 2017 – Geneva, Switzerland (Fully Funded)

Application Deadline:

One Year Internship: September 30, 2016
Short-Term Internship: November 30, 2016.

Every year, the World YWCA offers two or more one-year internships and two short-term internships for young women from the movement who are passionate about women’s rights and global change.

The application period for the World YWCA Internship Programme 2017 is now open. The application deadline for the one-year internship programme is September 30, 2016 and the deadline for the short term internship programme applications is 30 November 2016.

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 two selected one year internship candidates will benefit from:

• 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, social media 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.

The World YWCA also has a number of opportunities for young women to participate in a 2-3 week advocacy internship to gain knowledge and experience in global mechanisms for the advancement of women’s rights.  Based on the experiences of successful candidates, young women will be selected to participate in one of the following the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW),  CEDAW Committee Sessions, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, or other relevant international fora.  A minimum of two advocacy and communications internships are available with additional possibilities subject to funding.

These experiences are truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for young women to grow and to develop their leadership. Not only will they benefit personally, but the internship programme is intended to increase the number of globally experienced and trained young leaders who will return to their associations to share what they have learnt and to pass on their skills.

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.

Dates – One Year Internship

• The one-year internship begins 1 February 2017 and ends 15 December 2017.
• The deadline for receiving applications is September 30, 2016.
• Applications received after this date will not be considered.

Benefits:

Stipend, Allowances and Insurance
Each intern trainee receives:
1a). A return excess baggage allowance is available of no more than 50 kilograms of personal effects to be sent by the most economical freight from Geneva to the intern’s country of origin (available only for one-year interns). The World YWCA will pay the freight company directly. No allowance for excess luggage is available on arrival in Geneva. Any additional excess luggage expenses must be paid by the intern.
1b). Furnished housing with wi-fi access in a single hostel room is provided.
2a). Stipend payments for food and personal needs of CHF1’300 per month for the full period of the internship.
2b). Basic health insurance is provided to cover health problems arising during the internship, including monthly premiums and annual deductible costs, to a maximum of CHF 6’000 for the year. Swiss disability and pension scheme (AVS) as well as unemployment insurance and taxes (as required by law) are paid by the World YWCA.
2c). Interns will be covered by group accident insurance for any accident occurring both during and outside office hours and in Switzerland and abroad.
2d). Travel insurance is provided while travelling on World YWCA business.
3). A Geneva bus pass is provided for the period of the internship, and up to CHF500 allowance for private travel is available during this period.
4). A settling-in allowance is given at the beginning of the term in the amount of CHF150.

Short Term Internship:

Dates and General Information:
1. UN Commision on the Status of Women (New York) – March 2017
2. UN Human Rights Council (Geneva) – June 2017
3. Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW) – One of the sessions in February, July or October 2017 (Geneva)

• The deadline for applications is November 30, 2016.
• Applicants and their member associations will be informed early 2017.

Costs and Provisions

• Travel
  Participants must possess a valid passport.
• The World YWCA will assist with letters of invitation and advice to facilitate the visa process, however it is the responsibility of the intern and her national association to obtain a visa for the country concerned.
• The World YWCA will cover the most economical and direct route airfare from and to the home country of the participant. Any additional contributions by the national association to the travel and accommodation costs would be greatly appreciated as funding for this programme must be continuously sought.
• Accommodation and Health Care
  The World YWCA is responsible for the accommodation, basic food allowance, local transport and health insurance.

Documents:

Terms of Reference One year internship

Terms of Reference Short-term year internship

Application Form

Endorsement Form

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the World YWCA Internship Programme 2017