Internship Opportunity with the United States Agency for International Development

Global Health Fellows Program II

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Policy Intern

Office of the Administrator and Technical Leadership and Research Division, Office of HIV/AIDS, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Anticipated timeframe: September 2015 - February 2016: Compensated 6 month internship

Location: Washington, DC/Arlington, VA

INT-P4-054

 

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

 

GHFP-II's goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency's immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

 

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency's ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.   

 

BACKGROUND:
 
Addressing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Issues in USAID Policies and Programming
The Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA), within USAID's Bureau for Global Health (GH), is the focus of HIV/AIDS technical leadership for the Agency and has primary responsibility for leading the Agency's efforts within President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). In cooperation with agencies and partners, USAID provides global technical leadership on the full range of issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment; manages numerous research and field support programs; and monitors the impact of the Agency's HIV/AIDS programs. Additional information about PEPFAR may be found at https://www.pepfar.gov andhttp://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health/hiv-and-aids

 

Reaching the goal of an AIDS Free Generation not only requires robust clinical interventions, but simultaneously requires addressing social, cultural and legal barriers that result in hostile environments creating barriers to equal access to health services for all people living with and affected by HIV. This requires not only the training of those at a local level who interact with people living with HIV or other vulnerable populations but also building the capacity of civil society organizations, engaging host country governments, and working in concert with our multilateral and other bilateral partners. In these partnerships and throughout all of our programs, we are committed to ensuring that grantees receiving PEPFAR funds implement their programs in a way that supports promotion, protection, and respect for human rights.
 
LGBTI Context within USAID
The Senior LGBT Coordinator is mandated to coordinate the Agency's implementation of the President's December 6, 2011 memorandum on "International Initiatives to Advance the Human Rights of LGBT Persons" and, in particular, lead ongoing efforts to ensure regular US Government (USG) engagement with governments, citizens, civil society and the private sector to build respect for the human rights and development of LGBTI persons. The Coordinator leads the internal community of practice, a team of passionate and dedicated individuals representing offices and bureaus across USAID who work to promote awareness of LGBTI considerations and respond to their needs in USAID development programs established as part of USAID's fulfillment of its duties under President Obama's Memorandum. 

 

The Coordinator and internal community of practice serve as the primary team responsible for integrating LGBTI considerations into the Agency's policies and strategies as well as invest in multi-million dollar impact-driven partnerships and programs that support and promote LGBTI human rights and development globally. The LGBTI Team works to galvanize support and leadership to better socialize LGBTI programming; to develop guidance and best practices on programming that resonates within local country contexts to better support USAID Missions; to develop a suite of innovative training opportunities; to increase integration in select development sectors; to build the capacity of local LGBTI organizations and leaders; to encourage USAID staff and implementing partners to abide by nondiscrimination policies; and to formulate a learning agenda centered on LGBTI inclusion.
 
INTRODUCTION:
The LGBTI Policy Intern will be assigned to work with the LGBTI Team headed by the Senior LGBT Coordinator that is spearheading the mainstreaming of LGBTI activities throughout the work of USAID worldwide. The Intern will play a central role at a pivotal point in history, both for LGBTI human rights generally and for the USG's role in supporting LGBTI human rights internationally including within the HIV/AIDS response. The Intern's work on policy will be directly supportive of the Agency's commitment to service delivery in global health including the work with PEPFAR.

 

The Intern's work may involve research at headquarters or in the field or development of data and analytics to support advancement of LGBTI inclusion throughout USAID including health and human rights. The Intern will work closely with the Senior LGBT Coordinator as his/her onsite manager.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
  • Gaining experience with LGBTI research.
  • Gaining a greater understanding of USAID-funded LGBTI programmatic activities. 
  • Deepening understanding of programmatic responses to homophobic responses.
  • Deepening skills in collaboration and coordination within a complex organizational and implementation structure. 
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
 
The primary responsibilities of the LGBTI Policy Intern may include, but are not limited to: 
  • Supporting the internal LGBTI community of practice which is seeking to elevate and mainstream attention to LGBTI considerations in all aspects of USAID's operations and programs: Executive Committee; USAID Vision for Action Working Groups (Integration, Training, External Relations); Agency Coordination Committee; Focal Points (in each Bureau including GH and OHA, Independent Office and Mission).
  • Engaging in and advancing internal administrative and governance mechanisms at USAID as a means for the institutionalization of the LGBTI-inclusive agenda at USAID for long term sustainability.
  • Supporting research, policy design and articulation of programmatic implementation for initiatives that will transform USAID's approach to LGBTI considerations worldwide.
  • Researching and drafting reports and/or academic papers addressing issues facing LGBTI individuals worldwide, in a potentially wide range of categories (e.g. legal, health, livelihoods, protection/human rights, etc.).
  • Researching and reviewing USAID programming (Bureau/Independent Office, and Mission), both stand-alone and as part of larger programs, addressing LGBTI issues, ensuring compliance with mandated reporting requirements to the White House.
  • Providing assistance in drafting agency guidance on best practices in the assistance of LGBTI populations.
  • Supporting other members of the internal community of practice and USAID at inter-Agency fora (e.g. at White House, State Department etc.) and external fora (e.g. convening of Human Rights and LGBTI non-profit organizations) addressing LGBTI issues
  • Providing support for meetings (inter- and intra-agency) on LGBTI-specific topics.
  • Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming need and/or the Intern's own interests. 
QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Currently enrolled master's or other post-bachelor's degree candidate related to public health, social science, international development, or a related field; or, completion of such within the past 12 months.
  • Demonstrated interest and passion in promoting LGBTI rights and addressing the development inequities of the community.
  • A self-starter who possesses enthusiasm and creativity.
  • Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and organizational skills. 
  • A willingness to ask questions, the ability to learn quickly, the flexibility to work with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, and the ability to work independently. 
  • US citizenship or US permanent residency required. 
COMPENSATION:
$1,680 bi-weekly (exempt, salaried position).
 
TO APPLY:
Detailed information, including an online application and instructions, is available on our website at www.ghfp.net. All applications must be submitted by Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at 5:00 pm eastern time.
 
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employe