WASH Intern

iDE is an international nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty in the developing world not through handouts, but by helping rural households access the tools and knowledge they need to increase their income and improve their health and well-being. iDE has 40 years of experience and programs in 11 countries in Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Central America.

IDE's vision, to catalyze the power of entrepreneurship to allow millions of people to lift themselves out of poverty, is ambitious and bold. We need a person who is, first and foremost, passionate about this vision.

The Global WASH team implements water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs in Asia and Africa. iDE has been researching, designing, and scaling sustainable sanitation markets worldwide for the last ten years. To date, we have sold over 2.2 million toilets and 700,000 water purification solutions across Cambodia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nepal, Ethiopia, Ghana, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar. 

The Global WASH (GW) team offers technical and strategic guidance and support across the global portfolio to drive climate-resilient, inclusive WASH programming. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Communications & Documentation 

The key project for this internship is to drive the creation of a high-quality, externally facing document on our WASH programming in Ghana. To do so, you will: 

• Collaborate with the GW team and the WASH lead in Ghana to synthesize a decade of implementation lessons.  
• Conduct qualitative interviews and synthesize large amounts of information from previous reports and internal iDE documents 
• Lead the writing of an external publication highlighting challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned in northern Ghana.

Research and Analysis

• Perform ongoing and ad hoc analysis for iDE’s WASH programs. 
• Contribute to the evolution of the organization's analytical models.
• Conduct literature reviews and develop annotated bibliographies and case studies. 

Knowledge Management

• Work in close collaboration with the GW Managers to understand and evaluate the team's current knowledge management approaches.
• In collaboration with the GW team, propose an updated system for maintaining and tracking key documents for the portfolio  
• Improve processes and practices to strengthen learning across the global portfolio. 

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a degree in Public Health, International Development, Economics, Communications, or related discipline
• Previous experience with or demonstrated interest in WASH programming 
• Strong writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling external documents. 
• Demonstrated ability to perform analysis, conduct literature reviews, and engage in qualitative interviewing.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate large volumes of programmatic information and distill key learnings into compelling, professional-grade writing.
• Fluent in English. 

Behaviors and Values

• Demonstrates empathy, humility, authenticity, and respect in the workplace
• Willingness to ask questions and seek feedback
• Excellent problem-solving and creative thinking abilities 
• Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively 
• Desire to work in fast-paced environment and across multiple time zones and languages
• Excellent verbal, intercultural and interpersonal communication skills
• Enthusiastic with a sincere interest in the mission of the organization

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment  
• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required
• Normally required to see at far and close range, and communicate verbally through listening and speaking
• Frequently required to sit, use hands and fingers to handle and operate objects, devices and controls.  Occasionally required to walk, reach with arms, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds 
• Regularly operates telephone, computer, software and printer, copy machine, and similar office machines.   

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other:

• Equipment used:  all office equipment 
• Access stairs, elevator
• International Travel
• Variable Work Hours/Shifts

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

iDE takes pride in our talented and diverse workforce. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Hiring, promotion, and compensation of employees are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Time commitment (hrs/wk): At least 15-20 hours per week

Anticipated length of engagement (weeks, months): ideally 3 months with the possibility of extension depending on the mutual interest of the candidate and the organization 

This is an unpaid position.