SayPro Internship – Scaling Innovation Practice

Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.

We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.

Practice:

Around the world, individuals and institutions are finding new ways to work faster and smarter to address pressing challenges in health, education and nutrition systems. By adapting innovations to different contexts, creating novel approaches and solutions, and anticipating possible futures, these change agents are delivering better outcomes for citizens and challenging systemic inequalities.

In partnership with change agents, we facilitate the scale-up of innovations — addressing supply and demand-side barriers to scaling the impact of individual or cohorts of innovations. We also facilitate the strengthening of innovation ecosystems — addressing specific gaps, weaknesses and inefficiencies in the environment that are constraining innovation and scaling processes. To achieve these goals, we work with a range of innovation ecosystem actors, including social entrepreneurs, governments, civil society organisations and development agencies.

Read more about the practice and some examples of our flagship programmes here.

Opportunity:

R4D is seeking an Intern to join our Innovation Practice, based in London. This opportunity represents a chance to work with a highly collaborative team which embraces innovation and learning together, working across a number of different programmes.

R4D’s internships are designed to provide students and recent graduates with an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge and training about our programs and projects in developing countries as well as supporting areas of R4D. This internship is designed to provide learning opportunities in the following areas:

● Project management

● Communications

● Research

● Innovation in the international development sector

● Understanding of a range of global development agencies and private foundations

The role will report to the Senior Data & Operations Associate (based in London).

This is a paid internship and R4D interns receive GBP £12.50/hour. Interns are expected to work between 25-40 hours per week for a period of 6 months.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities will vary from project to project, but will likely include a combination of:
1.Innovation Practice contribution

○ Attend Innovation Practice team meetings

○ Contribute to the development of the Innovation Practice, e.g. through production of thought leadership, development/improvement of Practice methods and tools, operational improvement initiatives

○ Contribute to the development of funding proposals

1. Project management support

○ Plan and prepare for meetings and working group convenings, including drafting agendas, presentation materials, and capturing minutes

○ Plan and prepare for events including coordination and logistics with venues, communication with participants, travel arrangements, etc.

○ Support in project work planning

○ Administration of key project processes such as innovation competition applications

○ Develop communications materials, e.g. blogs, website content, social media content

○ Contribute to funder progress reports / updates

3.Research and writing

○ Conduct desk research around themes relating to development innovation and/or tools and approaches to support innovative practice

○ Draft analytical outputs such as short papers and presentations

Qualifications

• Candidates should have an undergraduate degree in a relevant field.
• Strong writing and research background
• Interest in international development, political science, or a related field
• Highly organised and with strong attention to detail
• Ability to work well in a team, manage multiple priorities, and work under tight deadlines
• Strong and effective communication skills
• Thrives in a rapidly changing environment
• Proficiency with MS Office
• Candidates must be legally authorised to work in the UK.

Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.

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