idealist.org

SEARCH FOR COMMON GROUND

HUMAN RESOURCES (HR) INTERNS

*Now accepting applications for SPRING and/or SUMMER 2010
academic semesters (from December 2009 – August 2010 or anytime within that same timeframe)

HR INTERNSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE ON A ROLLING BASIS FROM ONE ACADEMIC SEMESTER TO THE NEXT ACADEMIC SEMESTER.

Are you interested in learning about both international and domestic employment laws and human resources practices?

If so, we have just the right opportunity for you at Search for Common Ground. Please read more...

The Organization
Search for Common Ground (SFCG) is an international non-profit organization that promotes peaceful resolution of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC and a European office in Brussels, Belgium, SFCG’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and toward cooperative solutions. SFCG seeks to help conflicting parties understand their differences and act on their commonalities.

With a total of approximately 400 staff worldwide, SFCG implements projects from 28 offices in 20 countries. SFCG’s programs are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, and the United States.

Work Environment
The Internship Program at Search provides a learning experience that includes a great work environment; hard-working, friendly co-workers; team-building opportunities; opportunities to learn and grow; the ability to apply classroom theory in the workplace; and involvement in staff events (i.e. monthly staff meetings, peace-building movies, and occasional brown bag sessions, such as informational seminars presented by employees). The organization has won numerous awards.

Intern duties are wide-ranging and may include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Assisting in recruiting employees for various positions, conducting reference checks and maintaining hiring information;
•Developing and/or revising various special human resources projects (developing policies and procedures, new employee orientation, employee benefits summary, benefits packets, etc.);
•Developing and/or revising HR policies and procedures;
•Developing and/or revising HR forms;
•Coordinating the internship program;
•Conducting exit interviews and reference checks;
•Submitting unemployment verifications;
•Filing personnel information; and
•Miscellaneous clerical work (faxing, mailing, printing, database entry, etc.).

The ideal candidate will exhibit:
•A junior, senior or graduate student, majoring in human resources, industrial or organizational psychology, business or related field or a person interested in changing
his/her career;
•Strong, hard-working work ethic;
•Mature, pleasant and honest manner with a high degree of professional and personal ethics;
•Highly confidential manner;
•Punctual, reliable and dependable;
•Positive customer service attitude;
•A keen interest in international affairs;
•Excellent organizational skills with a proactive style and the ability to meet deadlines, both as instructed and self-imposed;
•Self-starting, enthusiastic and flexible approach to the organization;
•Ability to work well individually as well as a member of a team;
•Strong people skills and presentation skills;
•Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously;
•Ability to influence and manage change;
•Ability to learn and implement tasks quickly;
•Excellent attention to detail;
•Excellent editing skills (in English);
•Excellent and professional verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills;
•Computer proficiency and experience with Internet research;
•Highly developed research and problem-solving ability;
•Ability to listen well;
•Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and the Internet;
•Desire to work in a non-profit setting;
•Flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively and independently in a team environment, with the ability to respond rapidly to changes, yet remain focused on the priorities;
•Ability to type at least 50 wpm is a plus (but not a requirement); and
•French language skills a plus, but not necessary.

Internship applications are accepted on a rolling basis from academic semester to academic semester. Interested candidates should email a cover letter and resume to employment@sfcg.org or fax to 001 (202) 572-6287. Please clearly state the title: HR Intern in the subject line. Please note that you found this internship posting on Idealist. No Phone Calls Please.

In your cover letter, please clearly state why our program is of interest to you, what you can bring to the organization, and what experience you hope to gain from the internship. Also, please include the dates of your availability and the number of hours per week to which you can commit. Candidates who can intern a minimum of 20 hours per week and/or two semesters are preferred , but it is not necessary. While we will make this a very rewarding internship experience for you, note this is an unpaid internship.

NOTE: Local Washington, DC Metro Area (DC, MD or VA) Candidates Only, unless you are relocating to the DC area at your own expense.