Description DATES OF INTERNSHIP: February - September 2019 (flexible) LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP: 6 to 8 months INTERN SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: Director - Mercy Corps, Puerto Rico The Intern will also work closely with M&E and Reporting Officer FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: $1500/month stipend Mercy Corps responsibilities: For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive: Training and supervisory support Workstation with computer, internet, and phone access Access to Mercy Corps resources, including extensive digital library and online tools Additional tools, materials and communication devices required for this project to be undertaken In country travel expenses, lodging and per diem for overnight trips beyond San Juan metro area 100% Cost associated for the completion of PMD-Pro certification Intern responsibilities: Intern is responsible for all costs associated with: Travel to and from Puerto Rico and from Puerto Rico residence to MC Office Accommodation, living expenses, and personal travel All other costs associated with this internship PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Mercy Corps has been operational in Puerto Rico since 1st October 2017. Following Hurricane Maria, Mercy Corps is supporting relief and recovery efforts in Puerto Rico in both rural and urban settings. We have a team in Puerto Rico that is focused on helping local organizations deliver humanitarian assistance and start rebuilding the communities ravaged by the hurricane. Our recovery approach focuses on meeting immediate energy and water needs and rebuilding a better energy and water system, as well as providing comprehensive wrap-around services for communities in need through Disaster Risk Reduction programs. Our work will equip existing Community Centers with the emergency solar power, tools and support needed to transform them into Resilience Hubs, which will serve as critical resource points and have the ability to promote both social cohesion and resilience. These existing community centers already serve as key gathering points, aid distribution sites, places for community events, and shelter for people who have lost their homes. With our support, they will be able to do even more to support families in need, providing access to basic services and building resilience to future disasters. Disaster Risk Reduction Programming (DRR): Mercy Corps works on disaster preparedness around the globe, particularly in places prone to recurrent disasters. With the impact of climate change, we know that places like Puerto Rico will see more frequent and higher-impact storms in the future. We plan to bring our global disaster preparedness expertise to Puerto Rico and partner with municipalities, local nonprofit organizations, and the business community on a wide-reaching preparedness program. We will work together with the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management and their teams at the community level. DRR knowledge is essential for families in order to reinforce their capacity to make the best use of construction materials and reduce vulnerability to future events. There is a strong need to raise awareness of the risks in their communities and plan to adequately reduce the negative impact of any disaster. We conduct awareness and capacity building activities around DRR with careful consideration for climate protection, gender equity, and child protection. Spending one percent of a structure's value on vulnerability reduction measures can reduce probable maximum loss from hurricanes by around a third in the Caribbean, according to regional civil engineering experts LEARNING OBJECTIVES: The intern will develop an understanding of international humanitarian response, Disaster Risk Reduction programming and early recovery programs after natural disaster through his/her work with field teams and headquarters. The intern will build practical skills in information management, communications with field teams operating in complex, challenging environments, as well as administration of humanitarian programs. This position provides an opportunity to gain an understanding of the technical, administrative and operational aspects of a large, international organization. The intern may also learn more about program management principles by completing the PMD Pro Level 1 training and passing the associated exam. The intern will have access to mentoring/coaching provided by the M&E Officer, Program Managers and Puerto Rico mission Director related to proposal development, programs and grants management, report writing and editing (including requirements and data collection/collation for specific donors), research, and communications at Mercy Corps. The intern may also complete informational interviews with other Mercy Corps staff members working in his/her area(s) of interest, in order to increase his/her knowledge of Mercy Corps' work in these areas. Additional learning objectives may be negotiated with the intern, depending on skills, interests, and country program needs. DELIVERABLES: The intern is expected to provide support to the team as follows: Support the DRR team organizing and delivering trainings to MC partners and community leaders. Summarize workshops outputs, attendance and learning objectives for team leaders and M&E officer. Revise and/or produce appropriate English/Spanish translation of DRR messaging and information to be shared with beneficiaries, partners or for donor´s. Support the mission director and program teams with assistance on agenda planning, minutes of meetings, logistics and procurement tasks for the effective support to program activities and mission leadership. Support the M&E and Reporting Officer with project monitoring, field data collection and donor reports graphic designs and data entry. Completion of PMD-Pro certification and support to other PMD-Pro certification applicants team members on study groups. Completion of at least an additional on-line or in Puerto Rico training related to Humanitarian actions . The Humanitarian Response, DRR and resilience Intern will have the opportunity to spend 10-15% of his/her time on a special project or deliverable, to be designed in collaboration with her/his supervisor. This project must be mutually beneficialmeeting both a MC Puerto Rico program need and aligning with the Fellow's professional/academic interests. IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS: Master's / Post graduate student or advanced BA/BS (final year or recent graduate) with expertise related to Humanitarian action, International Relations, International Cooperation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Social Works, or relevant field related to support of humanitarian or development international missions. Fluency in English required; Conversational Spanish, capable to read and write. Excellent verbal and written communication skills (in English); Excellent organizational skills; Detail-oriented; Computer proficient and savvy, especially strong working knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google tools, graphic designs. Flexible and willing to work on tight deadlines and on both administrative and program support activities. Experience in Latin American context is a plus. US legal authorization for internship J1 visa or Work permit visa. / or permanent residents/US citizen A successful intern will be highly motivated and interested in ensuring high quality programming in Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience. Candidates must be resourceful, possess excellent written and verbal communication, are flexible/adaptable and capable of working with minimal supervision. LIVING CONDITIONS: Housing not provided. Intern must find out his/her own accommodation. MC will provide support and advice. Shared appartments with students and or other interns is very common and popular, with reasonable rates for individual or shared apartments within San Juan metropolitan area near to MC office. This position is based in San Juan, Puerto Rico and requires up to 40-60% local travel. Mercy Corps team member movement is governed by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) currently in place for Puerto Rico as directed by Mercy Corps security focal points. Access to electricity, communications and potable water are available in Puerto Rico. Goods, services and availability of cash in ATM's are available both inside and outside of San Juan. Mercy Corps interns and volunteers represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues. Diversity is powerful. To achieve transformational change, we seek out team members with different origins, beliefs, backgrounds and ways of thinking. Diversity helps us unlock complexity. SDL2017
