Internships available 2007-2008
(This internship descriptions are subject to change)
Position 1: Development organization trainer and counselor, Mali
Medes Sapcom is a Malian NGO whose objective is to improve sanitary and educational infrastructure of marginalized populations in Sikasso, Tombouctou and Loulikoro. The intern will work in Medes Sapcom’s central office in Bamako in collaboration with Medes Sapcom’s field offices to reinforce its activities and support the organization.
Position 2: Strategic planning counselor and trainer, Mali
Radio Kayira began broadcasting in June of 1992 in Bamako on FM 104,4. With help from the Canadian International Development Agency , the European federation of Radios and the European Civic Forum, the Kayira Network has fashioned itself as an democratic watchdog organization active in more than 6 regions of Mali. It has also developed resource activities in Bamako, Ségou, Koutiala, Koulikoro, Kita and Mahia and provides employment opportunities to over one hundred youths. The intern will support the networking and coordination of the numerous projects and groups associated with Kayira.
Position 3: Organisational development counselor and trainer, South Africa
Itoseng women’s project is a non-profit women’s organization that was created in 1997 by the citizens of Orange Farm, a township situated 45 kilometers from Johannesburg. Itoseng’s mandate is to run community projects to claim and defend the autonomy of the citizens of Orange Farm township in their day to day lives. Concretely, it seeks to encourage the active participation of its members in community action that defends rights to access to employment, housing, education and access to public services. Itoseng is therefore a positive response to the numerous post-apartheid problems being confronted by many marginalized populations in South Africa.
5. Important dates to remember
7. Sign up to the Info-stages bulletin!]
Management and Community Development internships aim to support countries in the south and partner organizations to create development strategies to improve their management and networking capabilities. Participants not only benefit from an enriching work experience, but also the opportunity to collaborate in solidarity with a partner organization in the South.
Candidates must:
– be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person granted refugee status in Canada
– be between the ages of 19 and 30, inclusively
– have a post-secondary diploma (technical certificate, Cégep or university)
– not have already done a Youth Employment Strategy (YES) internship
– be underemployed or unemployed
– not be in receipt of Employment Insurance Benefits
– be willing to contribute to the costs of the internship via fundraising or other means
– be medically screened and approved by Alternatives
– have the appropriate interpersonal qualities to live and work effectively in another culture
Position 1: Development organization trainer and counselor, Mali
The participant will participate in the reinforcement of activity efficacy by helping develop organizational capacities at Medes Sapcom.
– Perform a diagnostic analysis of the management processes of Medes Sapcom and facilitate a strategic planning process
– Help elaborate a strategic planning process and write the organizational plan
– Strengthen the planning, programming, coordination and activity implementation of the organisation
Skills qualifications:
– A University or college degree in social sciences in administration, communications or any discipline related to community development
– A good knowledge of French, good knowledge of English a plus
Position 2: Strategic planning counselor and trainer, Mali
The participant will help to reinforce the networking capacities of the organization as well as help maintain activity coherence through putting into place a management process for the organization.
The intern will be tasked to:
– Reinforce local radio capacities as well as the network’s capacities.
– Help renew the membership base and encourage active participation of the membership in the network
Skills qualifications:
– A University or college degree in social sciences in administration, communications or any discipline related to community development
– A good knowledge of French, good knowledge of English a plus
Position 3: Organizational development counselor and trainer, South Africa
Since 2002, Alternatives has been supporting putting into place the Itoseng worker’s cooperative of Orange Farm, which includes an important urban gardening project. The intern will participate in the reinforcement of the activities undertaken by Itoseng by supporting its organizational development.
The intern will:
– Perform a diagnostic analysis of the management processes of Medes Sapcom and facilitate a strategic planning process
– Help elaborate a strategic planning process and write the organizational plan
– Strengthen the planning, programming, coordination and activity implementation of the organisation
Skills qualifications:
– A University or college degree in social sciences in administration, communications or any discipline related to community development
– A good knowledge of English, good knowledge of French a plus
Training in Montreal
Alternatives offers participants a full-time training program in order to prepare them well for the overseas component of the internship program. Participants follow country-specific trainings, as well as thematic trainings on international development issues, including sociopolitical context and current events. Our overseas project officers offer these trainings. Other resource people such as former interns, youth programs officers and thematic experts are also involved in the training process.
In addition, the participants will be tasked to:
– Organize fundraising activities and public education activities related to the project
– Participate in a pre-departure training at the Centre for Intercultural Learning, Ottawa
Overseas internship
During the training portion in Montreal, the project officer from Alternatives will show the participant how to finalize aspects of the project description once overseas. Once arrived at the host organization, the participant will take a week to get acquainted with the new environment: move into accommodations, introduce themselves to their partners and familiarize themselves with the area, etc. After this, the participant will engage in carrying out the work plan in accordance with the needs and priorities of the host organization.
Who funds these internships?
These internships are funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Are these internships paid?
Alternatives provides a weekly stipend of $250 for the three month training in Montreal and from $200 to $250 weekly for the overseas component, depending on the country of placement. In addition, Alternatives covers the following internship costs:
– return air fare to the overseas placement
– lodging overseas
– medical insurance with the Blue Cross
– visas if applicable
Interns must cover the following costs:
– vaccinations
– medical exams
Can I apply to defer my student loan payments?
Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) extends interest relief to eligible Canada Student Loan borrowers participating in the international internships. The responsibility for applying for deferral will remain solely with the intern, however Alternatives will provide a letter to be attached to the first application, confirming sponsorship.
Do I have to fundraise?
Although the placement is funded by Industry Canada, it also relies on significant financial and in-kind contributions from Alternatives and the overseas partner agency. All interns must fundraise to help cover the general programmatic costs of the Netcorps program before leaving their placement. By fundraising, interns play a critical role in supporting Alternative’s NetCorps program, all while promoting the work that you will be doing overseas.
Where will I live once overseas?
This depends on the country of placement. In some cases, interns will be placed with host families, while in other countries interns stay in apartments or guest houses.
Who are the overseas partners?
Our partners are organizations working towards improving economic, social and political rights of persons and communities affected by poverty, discrimination, exploitation and violence.
** For more information on our overseas partners and our placements, please consult our website at: http://www.stages.alternatives.ca/ **
5. Important dates to remember:
Info-stages evening:
Wednesday, 2 May at 6pm
At
Alternatives, 3720 av. Du Parc, Montreal
2nd floor.
Application deadline: 25 May
Interviews: first week of June
Internship start date: beginning August
Overseas placement: beginning September
Please send your cv and cover letter to the attention of the ‘selection committee’, at stages@alternatives.ca. Please indicate that you are applying for the internship in communications in the subject heading.
7. Sign up to our Internship Mailing List!
Every two weeks, you will receive a newsletter updating you on upcoming internships, application procedures, etc. As well, this newsletter will inform you of conferences, fundraising events and jobs in and around the greater Montreal area. Please note that this newsletter is, for the time being, only availiable in French.
To sign up, simply send us an email with your name to the following address:
stages@alternatives.ca
