Policy Intern

Plan International USA (Plan) is part of a global organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters, and partners to:

• Empower children, young people, and communities to make vital changes that tackle the root causes of discrimination against girls, exclusion and vulnerability.
• Drive change in practice and policy at local, national, and global levels through our reach, experience, and knowledge of the realities children face.
• Work with children and communities to prepare for and respond to crises and to overcome adversity.
• Support the safe and successful progression of children from birth to adulthood.

We see clear links between fulfilling children’s rights, achieving gender equality, and ending child poverty. Every girl and boy has the right to be healthy, educated, protected, valued, and respected in their own community and beyond. We support these rights from birth to adulthood, working to ensure that girls and boys know their rights and have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to fulfil them. This approach inspires and empowers children and communities to create long-lasting change.

In 2016, Plan was active in 71 countries, and our programs reached more than 32 million children, directly impacting almost 70 million people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Program activities ranged from training health care workers and constructing health care facilities, to setting up water systems and building latrines, to working with children and families to improve early childhood care and development practices and outcomes.  For more information visit, www.planusa.org.

Responsibilities

Support for Plan’s Public Events

• Support Plan’s work with partners such as those mentioned above to develop public policy  and advocacy events
• Ensure and assist with follow up of meetings and events attended by Gender and Policy staff by debriefing with the selected staff regarding meetings and speaking engagements;
• Ensure all information such as contacts made and key conversations are recorded in the database and are directed to the relevant staff for necessary follow up;
• Assisting in the preparation for special events such as panel discussions, conferences and workshops;
• Draft communications regarding program activities for internal and external audiences;

Support for Research, Briefs and Policy Papers;

• Research and write content for talking points, meetings, conferences and events;
• Develop Tweets, Blogs and Facebook posts related to Plan’s Gender and Policy positions;
• Attend meetings and events with staff or on your own when requested;
• Draft brief documents, including background documents, issue briefs, memos, resources, and other written materials;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Strategic thinking and ability to rapidly synthesize complex data from diverse sources;
• Effective interpersonal and written communication;
• Awareness and sensitivity to issues like USAID Forward, Foreign Aid Re-Organization, SDGs, gender, youth advocacy, community development, and/or other related topics;
• Demonstrated excellence in writing/editing;
• Demonstrated record of professional manner of communication;
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and support effective programs, seminars and workshops relating to international development;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Excellent organizational skills, creativity, flexibility and self-motivation;
• Competence in Microsoft Office Suite and web-based research;
• Demonstrated computer skills, particularly related to data management, website maintenance and social media related to posting articles, event notification;
• Gender and/or policy experience preferred.

Plan International USA has two offices, located in Washington, DC and Warwick, Rhode Island. It is part of the global federation, Plan International, which is comprised of collaborative partnerships between 21 national offices and 51 country offices. Plan International USA is registered 501(c) (3) and has an independent Board of Directors. Members of the Board of Directors of Plan International USA also participate in global federation governance through membership on the federation’s Members’ Assembly and International Board. 

The Plan USA Program Team works in direct partnership with the Regional and Country Office staff contributing expertise in business development, program design and implementation. The Program Team helps to manage, monitor and evaluate all US-funded programs, as well as reporting back to donors on the progress of program initiatives.

We aspire to five core values that help us define our culture and to inform our business decisions:  Accountability, Passion, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence - AsPIRE. Plan expects all staff to exhibit and embrace these values in every part of their work lives.

We are committed to adhering to Plan’s Child Protection Standards and protecting the wellbeing of children in any situation that may arise. The protection of children is everyone’s responsibility.

Plan offers opportunities for growth and development through internal and external training opportunities. We value the ideas and opinions of staff at any level and provide forums in which those can be shared with others.

Plan International is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, national origin, disability, veteran status, and any other classification protected by law.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.