Henrietta Lacks Memorial Award Research Intern

Position Available

Maryland Hunger Solutions (MDHS), an initiative of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), seeks a highly motivated and skilled individual to join MDHS as our Henrietta Lacks Memorial Award Research Intern. The Johns Hopkins Urban Health Institute awarded the 2023 Henrietta Lacks Memorial Award to MDHS to honor the longstanding collaboration between MDHS and the Bloomberg School of Public Health (BSPH) on projects focused on improving access to school and out-of-school-time meals in Maryland. The award funding supports the continued collaboration in 2024 including the hiring of a research intern to assist with MDHS’ and BSPH’s ongoing research projects. The intern will assist with data analysis, reporting, event planning, and outreach. This internship is currently designed to be hybrid, with a mixture of remote and in-person work. Candidates from Baltimore City are highly preferred.

Organizational Background

FRAC is the leading national nonprofit organization working to improve and implement effective public policies and public-private partnerships to eradicate hunger and undernutrition in the United States. FRAC engages in research, technical assistance, information dissemination, policy analysis and advocacy, coalition-building, and an array of communications strategies. FRAC works in partnership with hundreds of national, state and local nonprofit organizations, public agencies, corporations and labor organizations to address hunger and food insecurity, and poverty as their root cause.

Formed in 2007, Maryland Hunger Solutions is the leading Maryland non-profit working to reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the State of Maryland by improving participation and benefits in public nutrition and related programs. MDHS’s focus is on using federal programs (e.g., SNAP, school breakfast and lunch, summer and afterschool nutrition programs, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children [WIC], and other programs) to reduce hunger and its adverse effects; to improve economic security, health and nutrition; and to strengthen community institutions.

Responsibilities

The research intern will assist with research tasks related to ongoing and new projects seeking to expand access to school and out-of-school-time meals in Maryland. The intern will help analyze data and develop policy briefs to summarize findings from a joint project between MDHS and the BSPH studying the effects of Medicaid direct certification on school meal participation. In addition, the intern will help to plan and execute a convening this Fall to bring together researchers, advocates, school staff, parents, and students from across Baltimore to showcase recent school and out-of-school-time meals research findings and engage in a dialogue about what research questions should be tackled in the future. Finally, the intern will assist with other research tasks as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years college
• Good oral and written communications skills. Ability to present and speak in
• Detail-oriented.
• Good organizational
• Self-starter; ability to work
• Excellent interpersonal skills; team
• Evidence of commitment to social justice; experience with federal nutrition programs a plus.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite products with ability to use Excel for basic data analysis and visualizations.
• Ability to travel around the state for meetings and events. (Must have own transportation; mileage will be )
• Candidates from Baltimore City are highly preferred

Benefits

This internship provides a stipend of $2,000.

Start Date

The start and end dates of the internship are flexible; however, the ideal candidate will be available for a 10-week internship. Interns are expected to work about 10-15 hours per week.

To Apply

submit a resume, writing sample (not to exceed three pages), and cover letter providing a summary of accomplishments and experience.

Opening/Closing Dates

The position will close on August 1, 2024.

FRAC/Maryland Hunger Solutions is especially interested in candidates with lived expertise with hunger or poverty and those with a commitment to racial equity and social justice who can contribute to the diversity of the organization.

FRAC/Maryland Hunger Solutions is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer firmly committed to a policy against discrimination based on age, gender, race, religious creed, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin.