Internship location : Canada, offered as an accomodation measure for applicants who are unable to take part in an internship abroad.
Host organization : Association Solidarité des femmes pour un développement intégral (SOFEDI)
Solidarity Association of Women for Integral Development (SOFEDI) Sofedi’s mission is “inclusive development through local ownership of sustainable solutions taking into account the context of community needs”. Its main objective is to “contribute to improving the situation of women, girls and other people in particularly difficult situations through self-promotion”. For nearly fifteen years, SOFEDI has focused its interventions in four important areas: a) health, b) mines and extractive resources, c) demobilization, disarmament and reintegration and d) good governance and the fight against Corruption. Our partner also works closely with a large network of organizations involved with people living with disabilities.
Position title : Research & Communications Intern – Women’s Rights in the DRC (Remote)
Language: advanced level of French (both written and spoken) is required.
Mandate :
Working remotely from Canada in collaboration with our partner organization Solidarité des femmes pour le développement integral (SOFEDI) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the intern will support initiatives advancing the socio-economic empowerment of women and girls working in the informal economy. The role will contribute to strengthening SOFEDI’s technical and communications capacities, while supporting survivor-centered efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and promote the right to education.
The internship will support advocacy, community mobilization, research, knowledge production, and communications initiatives aimed at advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and youth. Particular attention will be given to the prevention of gender-based violence in schools, access to education, and the realities faced by women working in informal and unprotected economic sectors.
The intern will also contribute to the development and facilitation of training activities in communications, advocacy, feminist policy, and gender justice for women in the informal sector.
The intern will, among other things, have the opportunity to collaborate on the following areas:
- Support and strengthen strategic communications for women’s rights and youth organizations in the DRC
- Contribute to SOFEDI’s communications strategy, including digital outreach, website, and social media engagement
- Create content for advocacy campaigns, awareness initiatives, and public communications materials
- Conduct research and support knowledge production on gender-based violence and women’s rights issues
- Contribute to the Observatory on Violence Against Women in the Informal Sector through data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Assist in developing training materials and workshops on feminist advocacy, communications, and gender justice
- Support initiatives promoting safe access to education and the prevention of gender-based violence in schools
Compensation: The internship is compensated at $20/hour, for 35 hours per week.
Required Skills: The candidate must have a strong interest in international development, education and gender equality, as well as in communication, research work and advocacy development. The candidate must speak Spanish and have strong writing skills.
Pre-internship and post-internship training
Selected candidates must participate in a two-week (10 business days) pre-departure training program in Montreal, conducted in French by trainers who are recognized experts in their fields. The program will cover a variety of topics. A shorter online training program, conducted in English, may also be offered.
The IYIP also aims to help participants enter the job market upon completion of their internship. As part of this, the program includes workshops designed to improve interview skills and strengthen job search strategies.
Duration of the internship: 12 weeks
However, IYIP is a comprehensive 4–5-month commitment that will take you through pre-internship training (2 weeks), a virtual internship (12 weeks), and post-internship components including employability training and a mandatory public engagement activity.
To be eligible for the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP), the candidate must:
- Be 18-30 years old
- Be Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Not have previously completed an IYIP Placement (see our FAQ)
The International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) is particularly aimed at youth facing barriers to employment: those who belong to or identify themselves as members of a group that faces discrimination, such as people living with disabilities, Indigenous peoples, racialized youth and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community.
Please access the form below by clicking on apply.
- Only the candidate who send its CV and motivation letter (in PDF via the registration form) will be considered during the selection process.
Information: psij@alternatives.ca
