Photo from Friends
International

Peace Brigades International - UK regularly sends information about upcoming events and other opportunities which supporters might be interested in; one recent email was regarding an internship opportunity at Minority Rights Group in London:

1. “Minority Rights Group (MRG) is looking for a research intern to support our busy and dynamic Media Team. Work involves using a variety of research skills to produce background information for MRG briefings and news stories and assisting MRG media launches and campaigns.

Successful candidates should have a demonstrable interest in the media and international current affairs and should be experienced in following up leads, liaising with journalists and NGOs and have an instinct for news angles. Fluent spoken and written English and strong communication skills are a must.

Interns are expected to work 2 days per week (minimum 5 hours per day) over a maximum period of 3 months.”

This opportunity is unpaid, though there is a small stipend to cover travel expenses and lunch. The closing date is May 7, 2007. For more information on requirements and how to apply, see he Minority Rights Group website (note that this opportunity is not listed in so many words, nor is the particular email address given in the email I received featured there; as I’m uncomfortable publishing an email addres on the web without checking with its, you might want to use the one on the site but specify that you learned of the opportunity via an update from PBI UK).

2. Another opportunity that caught my eye recently was an organized volunteer opportunity offered by Mith Samlanh (“Friends International”), an organization that works with street children in Cambodia (as well as a number of other countries). One thing that struck me about this is specifically that there are detailed requirements; though at first glance they may appear needlessly strict, I think it’s a great sign that the organization takes the volunteer position seriously and encourages volunteers to take the initiative and also take responsibility for the success of their own volunteer experience. Potential volunteers need to submit a c.v., a recommendation and a criminal record check, and should be aware that the organization is not a training facility – meaning volunteers need either to have a specific skill they can share or to participate in administrative tasks that reduce the workload of staff. A successful volunteer applicant will also include an outline of their potential project, and should give some thought to a tentative budget.

I know little about this organization in particular, but I think the procedure they follow for accepting volunteers seems thorough, and anyone interested in creating their own volunteer opportunity or internship – with any organization – would do well to consider the points they make.