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Seed Programs International (SPI)

  • Type: INGO
  • Field: Agriculture
  • Region: North America
  • Location: Asheville, NC, USA
  • Internship Title: International intern
  • Duration: 3 months (May-August 2021, at least 20-25 hours per week)
  • Number of Interns: 4
  • Special Requirement: The deadline is April 30th, 2021
  • Application Status: Available
  • Remote Internship: Unacceptable
Seed Programs International (SPI) is a nonprofit that provides access to good quality vegetable seeds, expertise, and gardening training materials to humanitarian organizations worldwide to alleviate hunger and poverty. We partner with humanitarian efforts around the world to reach communities with the greatest need. So far, we have successfully shipped seed to over 70 countries on five continents. 

OUR VISION is a world in which even the poorest, most disadvantaged people have access to viable seed and the knowledge to grow and utilize food.
 
WE BELIEVE that by providing people throughout the world good seed and needed training to grow food we can help accomplish the following:

● Reduce hunger.
● Improve nutrition by having people grow vegetables rich in micronutrients that are otherwise missing from diets. These vitamins and minerals are essential for prenatal health, safe childbirth, child development, productivity, and long life.
● Grow livelihood. As you know if you’ve ever grown a garden, with success comes more food than you can eat. Seed recipients sell excess crops to pay for kids’ school fees, medicines, clothing, safe shelter, and other needs.
● Help people help themselves to reduce their dependency on donated food.
● Provide skills that can be useful for a lifetime. This is especially true when children are taught to grow food.

ADVANTAGES of our approach:
● We are careful to not undermine local commerce. In many remote areas of the world, vegetable seed distribution systems simply do not exist. Often vegetable seed available to the very poor is of marginal or poor quality. When local seed does exist, we work with partners over time to connect local populations to local seed suppliers.
● Seed programs are a cost effective way to help in maximizing use of limited funds available to help those isolated by poverty – costly shipment of bulk food is reduced and those receiving seed perform the work necessary to produce food.
● We don’t send expensive staff and trainers to live or teach thousands of miles away from our headquarters. Instead, we believe in the power of local leadership and provide seeds and expertise as means to foster that leadership.
● Seed programs are widely adapted and can help people of all ages in communities large and small in tropical, temperate, as well as cool climates.
● Seed programs can help poor people long term. Once skills are learned they can be used for a lifetime.
Internship Tasks：
This is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to obtain valuable experience in a not-for-profit space and an international nonprofit food insecurity development organization’s inner workings.
Applications: Applications for the internships described below will be accepted through April 30th, 2021. Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. Please indicate the internship you are applying for in the subject.
Time Commitment: At least eight weeks between the period of May-August 2021. This internship requires a minimum commitment of 20-25 hours per week during regular business hours.
Remote Marketing Internship
   Responsibilities:
● Assist with monthly e-newsletter content collection, writing, and editing
● Assist in writing, proofreading, and editing of materials for online and print publications
● Provide creative rebranding concept, graphic and website design
● Perform research and competitive analysis on food insecurity issue groups, marketing campaigns and innovative fundraising techniques, and other projects as needed
● Audit and update business rules and policies for marketing projects
● Maintain a library of print, audio and visual marketing material samples
● Assist with campaign performance reporting
● Assist in donor cultivation
● Assist the SPI team by researching essential supporting functions of the team
● Contribute to specific projects under the CEO, Program Director, and Program Coordinator’s guidance
● Other duties as assigned
  Qualifications:
● Undergraduate or Graduate student in Marketing, Communications, International Development or a related field.
● Graphic Design experience with working knowledge of Adobe Suite.
● Strong research and critical thinking skills.
● Ability to work interdependently and clear communication skills.
● Previous office experience preferred (internships are accepted).
Remote Communications Internship
  Duties and Responsibilities:
● Support Communications team by prioritizing and coordinating daily tasks
● Serve as a project manager for assigned tasks
● Assist with content creation for social media and blog accounts to help spread the word about our mission and encourage fundraising
● Schedule social media posts using Hootsuite and Facebook scheduler
● Monitor news, SPI accounts, and follower comments for relevant content to our channels. Provide appropriate and supportive feedback
● Organize photo and video libraries, keep them updated as assets are received
● Research current communications industry trends and tools
● Identify upcoming editorial and speaking opportunities
● Assist SPI team in organizing and archiving assets
● Create toolkits for campaigns and social media
● Other duties as assigned
  Qualifications and Skills:
● Undergraduate or Graduate student in International Development or a related field
● Strong research ability and critical thinking skills
● Ability to work interdependently and communicate clearly.
● Previous experience working in an office environment (internships accepted)
Remote Fundraising Management Internship
  Responsibilities:
● Conduct research on donor prospects
● Assist with fundraising event support as needed
● Help with mailings of collateral materials to prospective donors
● Provide data entry assistance and maintain the donor database / CRM
● Essential supporting functions of the team
● The intern will contribute to specific projects under the CEO, Programs Director, and programs coordinator’s guidance
● Additional duties as assigned
  Qualifications:
● Undergraduate or Graduate student in Marketing, Communications, International Development or a related field.
● Strong research, analytical skills and ability to think strategically. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
● Ability to work independently with communication skills
● Previous office experience preferred (internships are accepted)
● Excellent verbal and written communication skills
● Tech-savvy and able to pick up new skills quickly; database skills excellent to have
● Outgoing and able to make outbound phone calls.
Remote Grant Management Internship
  Responsibilities:
● Complete grant research, prospecting, tracking, and applications
● Draft or edit internal and external documents, including: acknowledgment letters, fact sheets, proposals, and reports
● Develop fundraising related tip sheets and training materials for staff
● Maintain accurate fundraising information in the organization’s files and development database
● Manage and complete project(s)
● Other duties as assigned
   Qualifications:
● Strong verbal and written communication skills
● Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, and Excel
● Detail-oriented and self-motivated
● Able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
● Ability to multitask
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