The World YWCA advocacy internships offer the opportunity for a minimum of two young women from YWCAs in Overseas Development Assistance, to develop their skills and knowledge on advocacy and activism through training and exposure to the work and mechanisms of the UN system. This typically includes participation in one UN or international event such as the annual UN Commissions on the Status of Women or one of the sessions of the CEDAW Committee or UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The internship provides opportunities to develop expertise on global issues particularly in the World YWCA priority areas of young women’s leadership, sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and violence against women.

Deadline: 30 November 2016

YWCA’s Global Focus Areas

• Transformative young women and girls’ leadership
• Violence against women and girls
• Child, early and forced marriage
• Peace and justice
• Sexual reproductive health and rights
• Economic empowerment and information and communication technology
• Social, economic and environmental justice and faith and culture

Internship Programme Objectives

• To mobilise young women as advocates, champions and leaders on priority issues.
• To develop skills, experience and knowledge in advocacy and representation among young women in YWCAs through active participation in the United Nation’s mechanisms for the protection of human rights.

Selection Criteria

• Successful candidates must be actively involved in their YWCA, either as a volunteer or staff member and demonstrate strong interest and enthusiasm in the World YWCA movement.
• Generally applicants should have a minimum of two years active involvement with their YWCA.
• Successful candidates must commit to sharing the experience gained with their YWCA and region following the internship, and their association must commit to integrating their leadership into the association upon their return.
• A strong commitment to women’s rights and leadership.
• Previous experience in advocacy and/or activism on women’s rights is an asset.
• A good working knowledge of English, both oral and written, is essential.
• Applicants must be between 22 and 30 years of age.
• Independent and self-reliant, willing to take initiative, creative, hard working, and flexible.
• A commitment to sharing the experience gained with their YWCA following the internship.
• Each candidate’s participation must be endorsed by her National YWCA and the association must commit to integrating the leadership/experience of a successful intern upon the return home.

How to Apply

More detailed information and the applications procedure is available on: World YWCA Advocacy Internship Programme.

Source: FundsFor NGOs