Introduction

South Asia is characterized by the world's largest concentration of people living in extreme poverty. On the other hand, it is enriched with diverse culture and traditions. Majority of the people in this region live in the countryside. Therefore, most of the activities of NGOs are focused on rural areas and they are playing an important role in the development in respective countries. They have experimented with various approaches; some have succeeded while others have not. BRAC's achievements in Bangladesh over the last three decades in the field of development are well known.

Political leaders, social entrepreneurs, development practitioners, young professionals and students from home and abroad frequently come to learn from BRAC's experience. Every year BRAC receives many requests from interested candidates who would want to work with BRAC and learn from its activities and approaches. Since June 2000 BRAC has implemented a revised internship program as outlined below.

Objectives

• To expose interns to BRAC’s holistic poverty alleviation approach.
• To give interns access to BRAC’s facilities to pursue academic and professional research.
• To involve interns in the implementation and evaluation of programs.
• To obtain recommendations from the interns regarding the BRAC’s programs they had been exposed to.

Nature and Duration of the Program

Interested person and BRAC Training Division would jointly decide about placement and the 'topic'. Duration of the program depends on the nature of the interns project or interest. BRAC is flexible in this respect. Interns will have to spend at least fifty percent time at field (rural) locations. The remaining time they can spend at head office to interact with the program personnel, to study the relevant documents, and to finalize the report.

Three Types of Internship Programs

(a) Field Experience
Interns will have access to all BRAC field and non-field programs. During such field visits interns will be able to stay at BRAC area office or team office. Interns will be responsible for all related costs, such as, food, accommodation, transportation and interpretation. Interns are also advised to bring their own laptops, as BRAC won’t be able to provide interns with IT facility. The minimum duration for this type of internship will be one month and the interns will be expected to spend 90% of their time in the field (rural) location.

(b) Research
Interns will be able to undertake research after obtaining BRAC’s approval of their written proposals, which will have to contain the objectives, methodology and outputs. Interns will have access to BRAC University library and field sites. The length of stay can be case specific and will be determined jointly prior to their arrival. Interns will be able to stay at BRAC area office or team office while on field visits. Interns will have to bear all related costs, such as, food, accommodation, transportation and interpretation.

(c) Voluntary Work
The third category of internship would offer students and young professionals a unique experience of BRAC’s multifaceted activities and in return BRAC would seek a commitment from interns to undertake some specific piece of output, which would contribute to the needs of the organization. Interns should stay for a minimum of three months. Interns will have to cover all costs for food, accommodation, transportation and interpreter.

Research Fellowship

BRAC offers a research fellowship for post-doctoral/doctoral candidates, when it matches with BRAC’s overall research agenda/interests. The expected duration of this kind of fellowship would be at lest one year. BRAC will offer a small stipend to the deserving candidates to cover the cost of living expenses. Fellows are expected to send a two/three pages research proposal well ahead of time for review by respective program director(s). A formal agreement will be signed between BRAC and the Fellow(s) upon approval of the proposal.

Requirements for the three categories of internship:

Mandatory:

• Completed two years of undergraduate studies.
• Over the age of 16.

Desirable:

• Previous work experience relevant to the field of development.
• Some exposure to developing countries.

Application process:

On receiving applications from the intern, BRAC will place the interns within BRAC where the skills, experience and interest may be of greatest value.

(a) Individual application
An individual may apply for any of the internship without having to go through an intermediate agency, NGO or educational institution.

Requirements for individual applicants:
• Completed Application form
• C.V.
• Short proposal stating the intern’s interest and relevant skills
• Cover Letter

(b) Application through organizations
Organization will nominate interns to BRAC on the basis of their own selection criteria and it is expected that the interns will be financially supported.

Requirements for interns from organizations or institutions:
• Application form (duly completed)
• C.V.
• A short proposal stating the intern’s areas of interest and relevant skills
• Reference letter from organization
• Letter from organization confirming payment of intern’s financial requirements

To Download the Application, click here.

Formalities to be completed by Interns

• Arranging visas (BRAC will provide an official invitation letter)
• Health insurance

BRAC reserves the full right to cancel or curtail any offer of internship prior to and during internship.