SFD Internship Opportunity- Philippines
Closing date: March 8, 2013 - 4pm
Location: Quezon City, Philippines
Contact: Robyn Fila 250-721-7022, interns@uvic.ca
Host Organization: Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA)
Web Site: www.mfasia.org
General Placement Description:
MFA is an international leader in the support of migrant's rights as they intersect with the complexities of the migration process. Firmly committed to the understanding that migrants' rights are human rights, MFA works to support the rights of all migrants, whether they are documented or undocumented, irrespective of race, gender, class, age and religious belief, as they are guaranteed by international conventions. As a Program Assistant, the intern will be engaged in MFA's current work surrounding children and migration, including: the social costs of migration, protecting the rights of children left behind, children of migrants who are vulnerable to abuse and discrimination, access to basic needs and services, and stateless children. The intern will contribute to MFA's ongoing work on strengthening sustainable development by examining the impact of migration on local economies, including the Migrants Savings for Alternative Investment program that was conceptualized to harness migrants' savings, assets and economic potential for social development.
As a Program Assistant, the intern will be involved in several programming areas at MFA, including: advocacy (e.g. supporting MFA's work to ensure the global ratification of the UN Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families); networking (e.g. supporting MFA's involvement with Migrant's Rights International and other international migrants rights organizations); and researching initiatives with partner organizations and the community, through information searches and compiling information on issues relating to migration in Asia, migrant domestic workers' rights, and children and migration.
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 Quezon City, Philippines, Delhi, India, and Dhaka, 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.
