Nutrition - Research and Policy Analysis Intern
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world - government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators - to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
The internship program is designed to provide students and recent
graduates with an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and training about our
programs and projects in developing countries as well as supporting areas of
R4D.
R4D's Nutrition portfolio employs a suite of approaches to support global and country change agents
tackle malnutrition. The approaches include:
- Promoting increasing global investments in nutrition and ensuring these investments have the greatest impact through sustainable financing approaches. This includes costing, resource tracking, developing financing scenarios and supporting the development of innovative financing mechanisms.
- Data for nutrition approaches, where we develop user-centered data tools and approaches and advocates for improved data in nutrition.
- Systemic approaches to generate, disseminate and translate nutrition innovations.
- Food systems and market shaping, to shape the debate, build new institutions and initiatives, and support the change agents best able to carry the transformation of diets and food systems forward.
- In addition, we use structured learning approaches to generate, share and translate knowledge into actions and multi sectoral approaches to ensure a coordinated response.
While there may be
opportunity for the intern to work on various projects within the portfolio, a
focus will be on one of R4D's nutrition financing projects: Tracking aid for the WHA
nutrition targets. Building on R4D's work in the Global Investment Framework
for Nutrition-which estimated the costs to achieve the World Health
Assembly targets for nutrition and suggests global financing scenarios for the
world to mobilize resources for nutrition-the aim of this project is to track
donor disbursements to the package of cost-effective interventions costed in
the framework. By tracking these disbursements, we can monitor progress to the
targets and assess whether funding is targeted to the places in most need. In
this endeavor, R4D has worked closely with the Scaling Up Nutrition Donor
Network and multiple advocacy organizations.
Description of internship:
1. Conduct qualitative and/or quantitative research and analysis to support a nutrition project, such as:
- Compile data from public sources into summary data files; create data tables and figures to summarize main findings
- Assist in data cleaning and review. For example, review development assistance project descriptions to determine if nutrition interventions are present and to what extent; standardize entries across the dataset
- Conduct data analysis relevant to research questions of interest, and suggest key takeaways to project lead
2. Produce final presentation (and other communication materials as relevant) to synthesize key findings on research project, as well as deliver presentation to the full Nutrition team
3. Specific project
tasks will be delegated and overseen by a Senior Program Officer for Nutrition. The
intern will also work closely with other members of the nutrition team.
Educational
Objectives: What you will learn during this
internship?
The candidate will
gain the following educational knowledge and training by the end of the
internship:
- Practical
experience in the fields of international development and global health/nutrition
- Experience and understanding
of global and country-level nutrition programs and/or initiatives, focused
on financing, innovations, data-for-development, or market shaping
- Experience
and understanding of the global nutrition partner landscape, including
important donors and implementing partners
- Qualitative/quantitative
data collection and analysis skills
- Experience
translating data analysis and research into policy recommendations and
actions
- Experience working independently and as part of a team to
accomplish deliverables
- Guidance, support, and mentorship from staff at different
levels at R4D
Eligibility
& Internship Requirements:
- Candidates
should be college/university undergraduate students with less than 2 years
of work experience; or graduate students with less than 2 years of work
experience.
- Interns
are expected to work between 20 and 40 hours a week during the 4-month
internship period (mid-Jan to mid-May).
- Part-time
Interns are expected to be available for 3-5 days of full-time project
orientation at the beginning of the internship.
- Due
to the COVID-19 pandemic, all R4D staff are working remotely. This is a
remote position, but candidates based in Washington DC and other locations
within the Eastern time zone are preferred.
Compensation:
- This
internship is paid and R4D interns will receive $15.00/hour.
Academic Credit:
Awarding academic credit for an internship is at the
discretion of your college or university. We are happy to assist you with
providing appropriate information at your school's request. Interns are
responsible for making all arrangements for earning credit prior to the
commencement of their internship.
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position will possess the
following qualifications:
- A demonstrated interest in international development and
global health/nutrition
- Preference
given to interns with a working knowledge of nutrition programming or at
minimum, strong interest in learning
- Proven research and analysis skills and ability to follow a
structured research protocol
- Excellent
proofreading and editing skills
- Quantitative
and data analysis skills
- High level of organization and attention to detail
- Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication
skills
- Ability to work independently and as a team member
- Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office software
(analysis will be conducted with Excel)
- Enthusiasm, energy, good judgment, and flexibility
Plusses include:
- Educational background or work experience in international
development and global nutrition
- Understanding of development aid architecture
- Familiarity or experience working in low- and middle-income
countries
Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering
and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.