National Committee on North Korea Research Intern

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Washington, DC or Remote

DATES OF INTERNSHIP:  January - April 2023

HOURS PER WEEK: 15 hours/week

INTERNS SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION:  NCNK Executive Director

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: $1,300 / month stipend

Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

• Training and supervisory support
• Access to Mercy Corps online tools
• All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project

Intern responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

• Laptop for working remotely
• Accommodation, travel and living expenses

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

The National Committee on North Korea (NCNK) was established in November 2004 to advance, promote and facilitate engagement between citizens of the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It works to reduce tensions and promote peace on the Korean Peninsula and improve the well-being of the citizens of the DPRK.  Through cooperation on concrete activities addressing specific problems, NCNK seeks to enhance broad-based understanding and mutual trust. NCNK supports transitions enabling the DPRK to become a full participant in the community of nations.

The National Committee is a non-partisan coalition of individuals with extensive and complementary knowledge of and direct experience related to the society, economy, government, and history of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The NCNK is housed within Mercy Corps, a global international development and relief agency. This provides the intern involved in this program with the unique opportunity to work closely on North Korea-related issues with NCNK while at the same time, gaining valuable insight into the workings and operations of the development field through attending Mercy Corps staff events and working with Mercy Corps colleagues. This provides an opportunity to network within the agency and take initiative to learn more from office colleagues, meetings and planning.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Gain a detailed understanding of US policy toward North Korea
• Have opportunities to conduct in-depth research on specific policy issues
• Become familiar with new research tools and sources

DELIVERABLES:

• Research and gather materials on North Korea.
• Maintain the NCNK website and update its events calendar on a weekly basis; help re-organize the website’s document database
• Conduct research and provide updates for www.NorthKoreaInTheWorld.org, a joint project of NCNK and the East-West Center
• Assist in the preparation and drafting of periodic reports and newsletters; proofread and edit publications.
• Assist with planning and hosting NCNK events and activities

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated interest in Northeast Asia.
• Either a graduate student or a well-qualified undergraduate
• Excellent communications skills – written and spoken
• Fluent in oral and written English. Korean language skills a plus, but not required
• Enjoys conducting extensive research.
• Able to prioritize, meet deadlines, and work with a team
• Detail-oriented, organized and efficient.
• Experience working with website content management systems is a plus.

Mercy Corps interns represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Mercy Corps Diversity Statement

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme**.** We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

As part of our commitment to keeping our community safe and providing a safe working environment, Mercy Corps has a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for US interns based in Mercy Corps US HQ offices. Interns must be fully vaccinated per CDC requirement or have an approved exception, either (1) sincerely held religious convictions, or (2) a disability that prevents them from receiving a COVID-19 vaccination and comply with regular testing, within 10 business days of starting.  Failure to comply may impact your internship.

Mercy Corps Headquarters: 45 SW Ankeny Street, Portland, Oregon 97204

Mercy Corps: https://www.mercycorps.org/

In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any relevant experience, and demonstrate your interest. Your application will be reviewed by the Mercy Corps team and shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly for interviews.