Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) Liaison Group Intern

U.S. Department of Commerce

Spring 2025 - Multilateral Development Bank (MDB)

Liaison Group Unpaid Internship (Part-Time Remote or Possible In-Person) Opportunity

Announcement Open Date:  11/4/2024

Announcement Closing Date: 11/18/2024 at 11:59 PM (EST)

Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in international business, international development, or multilateral organizations? The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) MDB Liaison Group wants you!

The MDB Liaison Group is offering remote internships for the Spring 2025 semester, where interns will work from wherever they are located on their own personal computers. There is the possibility of interning on site, at the discretion of your supervisor.

 Students are free to do the internship for class credit if allowed by your school.

About Us:

Though the officers of the MDB Liaison Group are located all over the world, the office is under the umbrella of the Advocacy Center (a unit of the Global Markets/Commercial Service (GM/CS) bureau of the International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce), which coordinates U.S. Government advocacy efforts on behalf of U.S. exporters bidding on public-sector contracts with foreign governments.

The MDB Liaison Group has officers at each of the five MDBs to assist U.S. companies pursuing foreign public-sector contracts that are financed by one of the Banks. These officers facilitate advocacy for the companies on procurement and contracting issues to ensure fair and equal treatment. They conduct outreach to U.S. industry, counsel companies on potential opportunities through the MDBs, and help them navigate these complex organizations to increase the proportion of MDB projects won by U.S. firms.

Intern Responsibilities:

* The primary duty will be to draft and send notifications on potential opportunities to Commercial Service Offices and Global Sector teams to share with targeted U.S. companies, conduct secondary research related to the assigned MDB, and support creation and updates to marketing materials.

* Enter client management information in Salesforce database and create or update information in excel.

* Assist with creating presentations for external and internal audiences

* Research and related short writing projects

* Attend/report on events and webinars as directed

* Take part in conference calls and online meetings with representatives of the MDB and U.S. companies.

* Create/update and analyze reports on the MDB’s activities across the world

* Provide support/preparation for Annual Meetings, business forums/roundtables, webinars and other outreach events/activities.

Our interns gain a broad view of how the U.S. Government interacts with players in international development projects. Since our interns often join us on calls and videoconferences with representatives from both U.S. businesses and MDBs, they gain valuable insight into issues faced by major companies when competing for foreign government contracts. Previous AC/MDB interns have gone on to careers in the highest echelons of government, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.

Internship Requirements:

*Intern must be an enrolled student (undergraduate or graduate school)

*Student must be a rising junior or above

*3.25 minimum GPA

*U.S. citizenship

*Internship hours and dates are flexible, but students must be able to work at least 24 hours (3 full days) per week, with accommodation made for class schedule.

*Interns who will be virtual will need to have a workspace, a personal computer with internet access, and a personal phone.

What We Look For:

The MDB Liaison Group’s scope tends to fit well with students interested in subjects such as international business, trade, development, economics, finance, business, marketing, law, history, and other political and social sciences. 

Key skills sought: Attention to detail and research skills, good excel skills, and those with strong writing skills are highly encouraged. Overall, strong communication skills and a positive, can-do attitude are essential!

How to Apply - MDB of Interest:

Although coordinated from Washington, DC, the MDB Liaison Group includes officers physically located at the MDBs’ respective headquarters, listed below.

Note that while the internship would be conducted remotely, there is the possibility (at the discretion of your direct supervisor) of interning at the specific Bank’s headquarters, should you be located in the area.

(*Note: We encourage the prospective intern to apply for only one of the MDB at a time*)

***Based on your MDB area of interest, please send your resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts (Pdf preferred) DIRECTLY to Barbara White at barbara.white@trade.gov***

Email Subject Line: “AC/MDB Spring 2025 Internship Application”

• Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) | Washington, D.C., USA
• World Bank | Washington, D.C., USA 
• African Development Bank | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development | London, United Kingdom
• Asian Development Bank | Manila, Philippines

To find out more about the MDB Liaison Group, visit: https://www.trade.gov/advocacy-liaisons-multilateral-development-banks

Applications will be reviewed as they are received so submission before the announcement closing date is highly encouraged. Thank you for your interest!

If selected for an internship: Applicants may wish to ask their school’s career center about financial aid or other funding options for public service or other unpaid internships and to research possible sources outside school. OCM is open to accommodating students seeking academic credit if the internship meets their school’s requirements. ITA interns may join U.S. Department of Commerce  Employee Resource Groups.

The U.S. Department of Commerce provides fair access, opportunities, and advancement for all, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or work arrangement.