Internship, RisingRoad
Position: Intern, RisingRoad
Department: Global Programs
Internship Focus Area(s): EdTech, Education, Entrepreneurship, Technology Innovation, International Development in Africa.
Primary Location: Global, Remote (West and East Africa, United States)
Application Information: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis each quarter. The current window for applications is now open. Must be enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s program to apply. Internship opportunities are unpaid and typically last 12 weeks. To apply, please submit your CV and a letter of interest to jobs@risingroad.net.
Background information:
About RisingRoad
RisingRoad is a non-profit organization that advances education and entrepreneurship through innovation with technology. RisingRoad increases access to digital learning and training content through local distribution strategies and community-based engagement to increase digital literacy. We collaborate with a range of partners to connect, create and empower as a member network and designer of digital solutions.
OUR VISION: Technology innovation advancing education and entrepreneurship.
OUR MISSION: RisingRoad empowers innovators to strengthen education systems and catalyze small business development through the creation of digital solutions and services.
RisingRoad supports the urgent call to action by the United Nations with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We believe that by empowering education and entrepreneurship innovators, we can catalyze positive impact in developing communities, advancing educational and economic growth opportunities, informing SDG 4 – Quality Education and SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth.
Our current focus countries include Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Mali, Senegal, and Uganda. This internship will be remote - supporting the work of the RisingRoad Global Program team. No travel will be required, however, all RisingRoad interns will collaborate virtually with global program partners from these countries as well as RisingRoad Global staff and others in Sub-Saharan Africa based on need.
RisingRoad has Four Main Focus Areas
1) Last mile distribution of educational multimedia learning and training content:
Our goal is to sustainably reach the last mile, connecting the unconnected in developing countries with a sustainable model that addresses digital access, cost and connectivity issues in developing countries. RisingRoad offers the Mobile Mentor Program and the RisingRoad Baobab content distribution platform (offline content distribution on pre-produced storage media and by direct data transfer with local distribution agents).
2) Empowering innovators to advance education and entrepreneurship:
The ecosystem is fragmented for education and entrepreneurship innovators in developing country contexts. There is limited long-term support for coaching, mentoring, training, education and entrepreneurship solution co-creation and marketing for digital products and services. RisingRoad offers training, coaching, mentoring, and convening events that connect local networks, seed grants, and RisingRoad member activities.
3) Creating multimedia learning experiences that complement in classroom learning:
Education systems are traditionally confronted with multiple challenges in developing country contexts. In recent years, many schools have been negatively impacted due to COVID-19. RisingRoad works to develop and provide multimedia-based educational learning materials through the RisingRoad Baobab content distribution platform to complement classroom learning.
4) Developing entrepreneur training and productivity tools:
Micro, small and medium enterprises have been impacted by COVID-19, slowing economic growth. RisingRoad develops digital solutions that support the learning pathway and growth trajectory of small business entrepreneurs through the Lumo marketplace application and Baobab content distribution platform, increasing entrepreneur productivity.
Learn more: https://vimeo.com/904925634
Internship Opportunity Description
Are you excited about edtech and how technology can be used to advance education and economic growth? Do you have an interest and/or background in education, entrepreneurship or technology development and want to leverage your skills and interests to address real-world global development challenges?
This internship will be a hands-on opportunity to make your contribution to the growth of a young but growing organization that is focused on making meaningful impact across West and East Africa. You will work directly with local partners who are currently active in the field with activities specific to education development, economic growth, youth entrepreneurship as well as technology design for socio-economic development. This internship will offer the opportunity to learn about non-profit organizational development, management, strategic growth, as well as program and product development for technology-related development initiatives.
Responsibilities:
- Contribute to RisingRoad strategic growth and development of new initiatives in collaboration with existing partners
- Collaborate with the RisingRoad Global Program team for activity design, development and impact measurement
- Lead the production of communications materials for marketing purposes (website updates, social media posts, other communications channels)
- Contribute to the development of program reports, research pieces and case study examples
- Research program growth opportunities and new partnerships
Qualifications:
- Strong interest in edtech, education, and entrepreneurship in Africa
- Social entrepreneur mindset and work ethic
- Demonstrates strong team collaboration and clear communication
- Excellent language skills in both English and French (or a willingness to improve skills in one of these languages if not fluent)
- Works well as part of a virtual team
- Strong interest in strategic growth development
- Excellent writing skills
Bonus Skills (good to have but not required):
- Edtech development skills – product, service or digital development
- Africa-specific experience. Have lived (or live currently) in one or more Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Have had travel or other short term work experience internationally.
- Project management and/or research design experience
- Communications / media skills (as graphic designer, web developer, social media manager, digital media production, video editor)