QES internship opportunities

2022 CAPI intern Elly Thompson on the coloured steps of the Batu Caves temple near Kuala Lumpur
UVic Political Science student Elly Thompson on a visit to the Batu Caves temple near Kuala Lumpur during her 2022 CAPI internship with the Malaysian Social Research Institute

Background

The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program is managed through a unique partnership of Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada, and Universities Canada.

QES objectives:

  • Develop global citizens through enriched academic, professional, and cross-cultural experiences.
  • Activate a new generation of enterprising leaders in Canada through facilitating lasting local and global community engagement.
  • Enhance collaborative capacity and deepen peer relationships among interns, scholars and partner organizations to facilitate personal and professional growth.

These internships represent a unique opportunity for work-integrated learning, experiential learning, the development of cross-cultural understanding and communication skills, and first-hand experience of grassroots community engagement, advocacy and activism in the global south. In the past, CAPI interns have been involved in:

  • Conducting field research with local communities.
  • Contributing to on-going projects and workshops.
  • Preparing for and/or attending national, regional and international conferences.
  • Teaching and program facilitation.

Participants will also share their experiences and contribute to the community of Queen Elizabeth Scholars through community engagement activities including capstone projects, critical reflections, narrative reports and blogging.

Eligibility

Applicants to CAPI's QES internships must meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • 35 years or under at the time of application,
  • a third or fourth-year undergraduate student, or graduate student and registered as a full-time student at the University of Victoria during the term of application,
  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and
  • available to complete the specified overseas placement between May and December (6 - 7 months). Dates to be determined on a placement to placement basis in consultation with the partner organizations.

Interns will also be required to:

  • Attend a 5-day in-person pre-departure training and orientation at UVic from 24-28 April 2023
  • Post 5 blogs to the CAPI website,
  • Complete all reporting requirements set by CAPI and the program funders including pre-departure, critical reflections, narrative reports and a Capstone project,
  • Act as a mentor for future interns and scholars.

Compensation

Interns funded through the QES program will receive up to $8,000 CAD to cover international air travel from Victoria to the intern’s placement country and living expenses while in placement (local travel, rent, utilities, food, etc.). Students will be responsible for purchasing travel insurance (approximately $300 CAD for 6 months) and course-enrolment fees. CAPI will book and cover the cost of each intern’s airfare, which will be deducted from the total stipend.

Placements

Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women, Bangkok, Thailand (1 placement)

  • Check out blog posts from past interns at the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women

 

The Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW), registered as the Alliance Against Traffic in Women Foundation, is a think-tank, and a progressive Alliance committed to work for changes in the political, economic, social, and legal systems and structures which contribute to the persistence of trafficking in persons and other human rights violations in the context of migratory movements for diverse purposes, including security of labour and livelihood.

GAATW has member organizations based in different parts of the world. The International Secretariat (GAATW-IS), the office where the internship will be stationed, is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and has a small and committed team. The work of GAATW-IS is in the areas of research, international advocacy, mutual learning, and political education of women workers. We also publish a bi-annual peer reviewed journal, the Anti-Trafficking Review. While member organisations work with women, children, men and gender-diverse people, GAATW-IS has always focussed on the rights of adult women in the context of labour migration.

Position description:

  • Assist and support the GAATW team in research and communication activities.
  • Participate in and contribute to various meetings and functions in and around the office.
  • Take notes and provide logistical support.
  • Prepare meeting kits, schedules, itineraries, and multi-media presentations.
  • Fact-check articles for Anti-Trafficking Review.

Position-specific eligibility:

In addition to the core eligibility criteria for the CAPI QES program (see above), prospective interns must possess the following:

  • Strong communication, research, and analytical skills with sensitivity to cultural differences.
  • Excellent organisational skills, multi-tasking, and the willingness to take initiative where appropriate.
  • Some knowledge of, and interest in, anti-trafficking frameworks, particularly with regards to issues of gender, migration, and labour.
  • Experience in qualitative research an asset.
  • Knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Malaysian Social Research Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2 placements)

  • Check out blog posts from past interns at the Malaysian Social Research institute (MSRI)
  • Check out a video from the 2019 MSRI interns

 

The Malaysian Social Research Institute (MSRI) is a non-profit NGO which offers three core programmes which are the Sahabat Education Programme, Women and Girls Project, Empowerment and Emergency Support Programme for Middle East and North African refugees in Malaysia.

  1. The Sahabat Education Programme serves 580 students aged 4-18 years (preschool, primary and secondary education) 90% of our teachers are refugees themselves, selected based on their experience and qualifications.
  2. The Women’s and Girls project seeks to empower refugee women and girls within their communities.
  3. The Empowerment and Emergency Support Programme provides entrepreneurship workshops, skills training and access to marketplace to create empowerment and self-subsistence among refugee communities, emergency medical funds assistance, livelihood assistance, Sahabat Food Aid Programme, food basket and distribution of milk and diapers.

Position descriptions:

The Education Intern will be assisting the Education Programme Manager in setting up and running of MSRI’s Education programme for the 2022 school year and assisting with MSRI's community facilitation and emmpowerment programmes for adults (teachers, parents, guardians):

  • Monitoring daily activities, formulating reports and school updates
  • Formulating/reviewing school registration policies, school rules/regulations and standing operating procedures
  • Reviewing of curriculum and printing of school books
  • Monitoring/organising of extracurricular activities/trips
  • Setting up a system to connect secondary school students with higher education opportunities
  • Designing and implementing a feedback system and conducting feedback surveys for clients
  • Planning and organizing activities and supporting administrative work

The Fundraising Intern will be supporting the Executive Director in carrying out general reports and documentation for MSRI and in coordinating fundraising and awareness events:

  • Assist in organising, editing, and compiling data for reports
  • Assist with Funding Proposal and Mapping of Corporate Social Responsibility Unit in the Economic Sector for sourcing funding and related sponsorships
  • Developing brochures, flyers, posters and infographics
  • Support in managing/ updating funder’s database and developing an innovative approach in sourcing for potential funders
  • Designing and implementing a feedback system and conducting feedback surveys for clients
  • Update content on MSRI’s social media sites; Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, website (blog posts)
  • Take on a leadership role with regards to the creation and implementation of a fundraising event/ UN observance Events (example: World Refugee Day)

Position-specific eligibility:

In addition to the core eligibility criteria for the CAPI QES program (see above), prospective interns must possess the following:

  • Strong writing, research and analytical skills;
  • Good communication skills, including listening, report writing, and editing documents with sensitivity to cultural differences;
  • Understanding of how and when to work independently and/or collaboratively;
  • Ability to take initiative where appropriate;
  • Excellent organizational, multi-tasking, and project-management skills;
  • Commitment to, and knowledge of refugee and migration related issues.

 

Apply

Applicants must submit the following documents:

  • A completed application form
  • An up-to-date resume (2 pages maximum)
  • University transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable)

Applicants must also identify how they will connect this internship with their academic work to receive credit. Options include:

  1. a relevant course completed during the term of application,
  2. a relevant course completed during the internship period,
  3. a directed reading/ honor's thesis, or
  4. a CO-OP work term.

Potential internship-credit pairings must be communicated in the application and need to be approved by the program manager before you begin your internship placement. If you have further questions concerning your eligibility, please do not hesitate to contact Robyn Fila by email (rfila@uvic.ca).

Complete application packages MUST BE submitted by email to Robyn Fila at rfila@uvic.ca by 10 February 2023 - 4 pm PST. Late and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Applications should be saved as “your name - description of the document” (e.g. “Your Name - transcript”). All attachments should be in PDF format only.

We thank everyone for their applications and interest in the CAPI internship program. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to set up an interview in late February 2023.

 

Sponsor:

QES logoThe Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) is managed through a unique partnership of Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation, Community Foundations of Canada, and Canadian universities.