What is the International Institute for Social Studies (ISS)?
The International Institute for Social Studies (ISS) is an international graduate school of policy-oriented critical social science in The Hague and forms part of Erasmus University Rotterdam. It brings together students and teachers from the Global South and the North in a European environment. It carries out research, teaching and public service in the field of development studies and international cooperation. Research at ISS seeks to understand phenomena of underdevelopment, development and change, with special reference to low-income countries. Poverty, globalisation, gender and inequity are key words in most of their publications. Their MA and PhD students come from over 50 countries and our more than 15.000 alumni figure at all levels of government, business and civil society in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Their staff comes from many countries as well. They stimulate public debate on current issues, important for the exchange of knowledge and for increasing public awareness. ISS organises a wide variety of events, from large conferences to small roundtable meetings for selected groups.
What does ISS do in project and research support?
The Management and Support Organization (MSO) is responsible for providing support to staff and students at ISS. MSO consists of several teams, one of which supports externally-financed research and institutional capacity development projects. Staff working in the research and project support team are in day-to-day contact with academic staff, ISS management, donors, potential cooperation partners and external policy makers in the field of development studies and international higher education.
What will you do as an intern?
As an intern you will provide administrative support for project and research activities. These can include assisting at all stages of the project cycle from acquisitions through to implementation e.g. support to looking for funding opportunities, writing funding proposals, compiling documents and files, preparing and taking part in meetings, minute taking, preparing communications, organisation of activities, and occasionally accompanying ISS’ project officers to stakeholder visits. ISS offers an excellent environment to attend conferences, seminars and workshops on development studies, and they will encourage you to do so. Part of your internship can be spent on the writing of a paper or assignment in the framework of your studies. ISS particularly welcome topics or assignments that have a relation to their work.
What does ISS expect from you?
You are a student on at least a Bachelor or Master university level in a relevant field (non-students are not eligible for this internship). You are interested in at least one of the following areas: public administration, international development, international/EU relations, communications, international law or finance. The Internship duration is a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 12 months. For periods longer than 3 months only EU-nationals can apply. ISS expects a good level of English, in speech as well as in writing. They also expect a positive and proactive attitude, a strong willingness to learn, an interest to interact in a multi-cultural environment, a capability to perform assigned tasks independently and accurately, and a motivation to work hard when needed.
What can ISS offer you?
An internship at ISS gives you the opportunity to improve your service orientation, writing, organisational, administrative and communication skills. You can also learn how to organise and prioritize your work and improve your computer skills. Although you will work under supervision of a mentor, you will take part in all activities of the team. ISS offers a small stipend which will not be sufficient to cover your living costs in The Netherlands. With its extensive international staff and student base, the ISS hosts many social activities that you are welcome to partake in. This includes an annual BBQ, social events and gatherings for MA and PhD students, cultural fashion shows, excursions and seasonal festivities.
Application deadline: 11 October 2015
Read more and apply here.
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