Media Relations and Communications Intern
INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Remote, Washington DC or Portland, OR
DATES OF INTERNSHIP: May/June - August/September
HOURS PER WEEK: 40 hours/week
INTERN SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: Communications Officer
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: $2600/month
Mercy Corps responsibilities
For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:
- Access to Mercy Corps resources, personnel and online tools
- All other materials needed for success
Intern responsibilities
Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:
- Personal laptop with access to wifi
- All other costs associated with this internship
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The communications team is a small but dynamic group of professionals dedicated to getting the word out about Mercy Corps’ outstanding work to help people around the world survive through crisis, build better lives and transform their communities for good. The team strives to raise Mercy Corps’ public profile and support the agency’s fundraising and advocacy efforts. The team primarily engages with international media and U.S. national and regional media.
Mercy Corps is seeking a media relations and communications intern to help monitor, track and analyze media coverage, track trends and create content for Twitter, and assist in ongoing research projects to support the media relations team.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
The intern will gain skills in writing and storytelling targeted for media and Twitter, as well as learn to analyze the latest media and social media trends. The intern will gain experience tracking and analyzing media coverage of Mercy Corps and other organizations in the international development sector. The intern will also learn to communicate efficiently with team members across time zones and cultures. Finally, the intern may complete informational interviews with other Mercy Corps staff members working in their area(s) of interest, in order to increase their knowledge of Mercy Corps’ work in these areas.
DELIVERABLES:
- Help research and compile daily, weekly, quarterly and annual media monitoring reports.
- Conduct media coverage analyses on various topics/themes.
- Identify creative opportunities to share Mercy Corps’ story with younger audiences through media outreach.
- Track and report on trends in mainstream media and social media.
- Build lists of influencers on Twitter and create timely content.
- Research and create targeted media lists.
- Draft news releases, talking points, reporter backgrounders and other media collateral.
- Manage the online press room.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:
- University degree in progress or recently completed (within 1 year) in Media & Communications or relevant field
- Is detail-oriented, collaborative, and can communicate well across teams.
- Has experience monitoring media and social media trends.
- Has proven writing experience and can provide samples.
- Has a passion for the Mercy Corps mission.
- Experience with media monitoring software is preferred.
Mercy Corps interns 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 Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
Mercy Corps Diversity Statement
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.
As part of our commitment to keeping our community safe and providing a safe working environment, Mercy Corps has a Covid-19 vaccine requirement for US interns based in Mercy Corps US HQ offices. Interns must be fully vaccinated per CDC requirement or have an approved exception, either (1) sincerely held religious convictions, or (2) a disability that prevents them from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and comply with regular testing, within 10 business days of starting. Failure to comply may impact your internship.
Mercy Corps Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon 97204
In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any relevant experience, and demonstrate your interest. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews.