Research, Knowledge, and Learning Intern for the FEWS NET Strategic Planning and Activity Design (SPADe) Support Project

The USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems (FEWS NET) Strategic Planning and Activity Design (SPADe) Support Project, a global activity implemented by Tetra Tech International Development (International Development Jobs – Tetra Tech), is currently accepting expressions of interest for a Research, Knowledge, and Learning Intern. The position can be fully remote from a continental US-based location or hybrid within a commutable distance to either one of our office locations in Burlington, VT or Arlington, VA.

Position Description: Running from October 2023 to April 2026, SPADe provides USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) with research and analytical products to strengthen evidence-based development and humanitarian response planning and activity design, improve food systems, and better respond to food security crises. SPADe provides this support by conducting market analyses, secondary research and data analyses, country/context desk reviews, stakeholder mapping and analyses, and scenario planning. The Research, Knowledge, and Learning Intern (Intern) will provide technical operational, administrative, and other support as identified by the project team and in line with the learning priorities of the intern to ensure a meaningful experience that will benefit both the project and the Intern. While the Intern will support project activities across many functions, at the start of the internship, the Intern and supervisor will identify a specific project and deliverable for the Intern to lead and deliver by the end of the internship period. The Intern reports to the SPADe Scenario Planning Advisor/Deputy Technical Manager (SPA/DTM).

This internship is paid, and hours are flexible, between 24-40 per week. Duration is anticipated to be six months beginning around September 1, 2024, and ending around early March 2025.

Responsibilities:

* Support SPADe technical and operational staff to source key information and resources as identified;

* Support the identification of key platforms, events, and other relevant dissemination channels for the promotion and circulation of SPADe resources;

* Conduct research and analysis for topics related to SPADe work assignments and priorities;

* Support the project’s file management system(s), intranet, and other systems at the request of, and in coordination with, the KM Advisor;

* Initiate, develop, and deliver internship project;

* Support knowledge capture and generation, as requested, to produce resource summaries or other KM products;

* Support research priorities including in relation to cross-cutting themes (e.g. Gender Equality, Youth and Social Inclusion, Localization, Climate, and Conflict);

* Support the development of learning, training, and workshop materials and resources;

* Support the preparations for key presentations, including the development of power points, report synopses, and other related materials; and

* Support other SPADe activities, as necessary.

Minimum Qualification Requirements:

* Minimum bachelor’s degree (master’s degree in progress or completed preferred) in international development, political science, economics, sociology, geography, anthropology, agriculture, gender and women studies, or a related subject matter area;

* Strong writing skills;

* Demonstrated experience supporting multiple ongoing activities and managing deadlines;

* Strong communication skills in English; and

* Current U.S. work authorization is required at the time of application.

* This position is open to current graduate students or recent graduates; graduates from minority serving institutions are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Experience conducting research, preparing literature reviews, and conducting quantitative and/or qualitative data analyses highly preferred;

* Experience using Microsoft SharePoint and Teams, citation management programs, and other related programs;

* Experience working with vulnerable communities in the United States and/or low- and middle-income countries;

* Experience conducting qualitative analyses;

* Skills and experience in information and knowledge management;

* Demonstrated proficiency in methodologies and processes related to conducting desk reviews, secondary data analyses, market analyses, stakeholder mapping and analyses, political economy analyses, and other food security analyses (e.g. household economy analyses) is considered optimal; experience with any of the above is preferred; and

* Proficiency in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic.