SFD Internship Opportunity- Bangladesh RMMRU

Closing date: March 8, 2013 - 4pm

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh

Contact: Robyn Fila 250-721-7022, interns@uvic.ca

Host Organization: The Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU)

Web Site: http://www.rmmru.org/

General Placement Description:

The Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), an affiliate of the University of Dhaka, has been functioning as a research, training, and policy advocacy institution since 1996. Its primary focus has been on migration, refugee, displacement, and governance issues. Migration has been identified as one of the major socio-economic challenges that will require serious engagement of the global community in the 21st century. The complexity of varied types of migration processes has increasingly become a major area of research and concomitant policy intervention. In its thirty years of existence Bangladesh has experienced varied kinds of migratory patterns. These include, refugee flow to and out of the country, long-term migration to the West, and short-term contract migration to the Gulf and South East Asia. Movements of population have major policy ramifications for Bangladesh. The country's economy is very much dependent on the remittances of the migrants. Again some movements have impinged upon the national integration process of the country and others have affected bilateral relations. Therefore, research and information on all such kinds of population movements are essential for formulating effective policies. RMMRU was established to study population movements both within and across national borders. Over the years, advocacy, awareness campaign, and training also became part of core activities of RMMRU.

RMMRU is a member of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) and works closely with MFA and other migrant organizations in Asia through an established network.

Skills and Requirements:

The intern must meet basic eligibility criteria for the program and will have the following skills: strong writing and communication skills, excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills, ability to take initiative where appropriate and to work collaboratively; commitment to, and knowledge of migration and human rights issues in Asia and basic knowledge of relevant UN and regional human rights mechanisms; ability to network, both locally and regionally; strong computer skills; ability to conduct research; some understanding of the complex issues facing migrant populations in Asia would be an asset. 

We are currently accepting applications from interested UVic students for our 2013 Students for Development Program and are recruiting for specific placements in the Philippines, India and Bangladesh.   

Students must be upper level undergraduate, or graduate students, registered full-time, to be eligible to apply. The deadline of Friday, March 8, 2013 is firm, and no applications for the June 2013 placements will be accepted after this time.  To apply, students should complete an application form, and submit their application, a cover letter, plus a current resume, by email to: interns@uvic.ca.