Partnerships & New Business Development Intern

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Partnerships & New Business Development (PNBD) Intern to join our dedicated and talented Global Programs team in our mission to create business solutions to poverty!

MEDA’s work is built on a foundation of Mennonite business roots and faith-based values, within the global context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We believe business solutions are effective interventions to address poverty. Through a market-systems approach and strategic partnerships, MEDA enables access to finance and provides business and technical expertise to build transformative agri-food market systems that create decent jobs, allowing traditionally excluded groups to become active participants in a sustainable economy. MEDA welcomes all who share our values and want to join us in our mission. To find out more about MEDA, please visit our website at www.meda.org.

Position Summary

The Partnerships & New Business Development (PNBD) Intern will provide general support in the proposal development process in collaboration with the PNBD team.

• Job Status: Contract Spring/ Summer 2023: Estimated duration of 16 weeks (dependent on funding*)

• Start Date: May 2023

• Location: Waterloo, ON / Hybrid / Remote-work**

*This opportunity is contingent upon approval by the 2023 Canada Summer Jobs Program which is an initiative of the Government of Canada’s Summer Work Experience Program. It is designed to focus on local priorities, while helping young Canadians and their communities. It provides funding to organizations to create summer job opportunities for youth aged 15 to 30 years. Please review eligibility requirements and ensure you meet all the criteria prior to applying.

**Preference for given for Waterloo, however, candidates in other Canadian locations may be considered.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Business development & Research

• Conduct basic research and provides general support in proposal development process
• Support proposal/concept note development, depending on the stage they are at, with additional background research, materials review and consolidation, presentation draft, and assist with content editing/writing as needed
• Conduct research on emerging initiatives and innovations related to agri-food systems, especially in areas of relevance to MEDA strategic orientation and technical work
• Identify key partners, forums, alliances, and/or events in agriculture and food systems, with a focus on areas relevant to MEDA, regions, work, and strategic focus

Program Support & Special Initiatives

• Draft short reports, memos, briefs, correspondence, process workflows, and other written materials in support of ongoing initiatives

• Assist with editing/writing of briefs and reports as needed

• Compiles data from a variety of sources (e.g. project reports, budget reports, specialized reports, etc.) for the purpose of achieving assigned objectives

• Support to MEDA PNBD and Country strategies (as needed)

Knowledge management

• Identify, assemble, and review/repurpose MEDA work related to PNBD (past proposals, scoping mission reports, final project reports, boilerplates etc.)
• Regularly update relevant donor/thematic news on PNBD SP Site
• Maintain and keep current PNBD SP site resources (assets, donor folders, partnership folders, compliance, opportunities, resource library etc.)
• Maintain and keep current BD SP sites (transfer relevant files to PNBD resource library and archive discontinued BD sites)
• Consolidate inventory / map of global agri-food actors (public, private and farmer organizations) from the regions
• Consolidate a list of key regional value chains, their actors, their contact details, and the market structures from the regions
• Consolidate and keep track/coordinate on country and regional strategy development initiatives
• Organization and update of PNBD related records in CRM for PNBD

Administration & Coordination

• Provide coordination support to PNBD team with a variety of projects, functions and/or program components for the purpose of achieving departmental and divisional goals and objectives
• Provide support during department meetings and special events, take minutes, prepares, and assemble briefing materials as directed
• Provide logistical and administrative support to SD, PNBD

Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned

This job description may be reviewed, revised and updated as required to meet department and/or organizational objectives

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Enrolled in or recent graduate in international development, social work, sociology or similar fields; or several years of college plus equivalent work experience

Canada Summer Jobs Requirements:

• Be between 15-30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (international students with work visas are not eligible); and,
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations

Additional Qualifications:

• Appreciation and support of MEDA’s mission, vision and values

• Understanding and appreciation of business principles, international development and MEDA’s approach of creating business solutions to poverty

• Keen interest in the international development sector

• Excellent writing and analytical skills

• Ability to analyze and synthesize a broad range of documents and publications.

• Strong organizing, coordination, and project management skills. Ability to prioritize, multi-task, adapt, and manage time effectively

• Proficiency in French and/or Spanish ability is an asset

• Proficiency working in Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams

• Strong relationship building skills and proven verbal and written communication skills

• Independent, motivated, and self-directed

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 22, 2023 @ 4:00 pm EST

MEDA is an equal opportunity employer and accommodations are available during all phases of the recruitment process. We ask that any applicants requiring accommodation make their needs known in advance.