Internship - International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) is seeking a dynamic and innovative intern for development of materials for the cereal knowledge bank (CKB) – a joint initiative of CIMMYT and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).

Job description:
• Draft accurate and appropriate written and illustrated materials for the CKB
• Review and edit existing materials and identify suitable topics for inclusion into CKB
• Check drafts as part of a formal peer review process with CIMMYT and other scientists
• Finalize materials for inclusion in CKB, including fact sheets and training materials on information related to maize and wheat production in developing countries.

The principal tasks include original writing, review, copy editing, and proofreading. Additional responsibilities include attending meetings as needed to learn about and discuss subject matter, facilitating copy review by editor as needed and enabling the quick smooth turnaround of materials. The ideal candidate should be able to commit full time for at least half year as of July 1st 2007.

Qualifications and experience:
• Background in communications, journalism, or biology/agriculture, an undergraduate degree and writing or editing experience in English. Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage. • Strong analytical, evaluative, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to perform literature search, gather data, compile information, and prepare reports.
• Aptitude to exercise initiative and work independently.
• Strong interpersonal skills – as needed for managing drafts through the review process, discussing edits and building consensus, asking questions in the information-gathering phase, working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Capacity to work quickly but accurately when under pressure and be able to cope with repetitive work.

CIMMYT offers interns a modest monthly stipend (in US dollars) and costs for housing and travel to and from Mexico. CIMMYT is an equal-opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Contact details
For more details contact Petr Kosina (p.kosina@cgiar.org)

NCAS Advocacy Internship Programme

Description
The NCAS Advocacy Internship Programme (AIP) is a unique venture that aims to develop a set of young and dedicated professionals who are committed to social activism. It is a program that caters to the need of social activism and enriches the participants with the political perspective, knowledge, and skills required for effective public advocacy.

The 18 month internship involves in-house training, learning from field exposure to various peoples’ movements, campaigns and grass-root organizations, as well as six months of field-work experience though placement with such organizations. Each intern must also submit a dissertation on any contemporary topic of their choice.

Candidate requirements
Candidates must:

be between the ages of 20 – 25;
hold a postgraduate degree in any discipline or an undergraduate degree with at least two years experience with a social action/human rights/consumer rights group;
be willing to learn, receptive to new ideas and keen to take up challenges;
intend to understand the world in all its complexities; and
have a strong social conscience.
Application procedure
Application forms can be downloaded here and sent to: The Executive Director, The National Centre for Advocacy Studies, Serenity Complex, Ramnagar Colony, Pashan, Pune 411 021. The closing date for receiving applications is 30 June 2007.

Contact details
The Executive Director, The National Centre for Advocacy Studies, Serenity Complex, Ramnagar Colony, Pashan, Pune 411 021 Email: ncas@vsnl.com