2013 Millennium Villages Project Internships

INTERNSHIPS IN THE MILLENNIUM VILLAGES

The Millennium Villages Internship program provides an excellent opportunity for students to gain on-the-ground experience in global public health, business development, agriculture, infrastructure, and other development interventions though firsthand participation. The Millennium Villages Project is a unique project, where interventions are implemented through a multi-sectoral, community-based model. Students will be placed in one of the 10 village sites, which are located in 10 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, or at one of the regional centers in Nairobi or Dakar.

Students provide assistance to the Millennium Villages site teams and New York- and Africa-based technical advisory staff who are overseeing interventions. Students will gain knowledge, tools, skills and experiences that they can apply to their coursework as well as to their future professional pursuits. Students will have a rewarding and challenging experience and make a genuine contribution to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in sub-Saharan Africa.

ELIGIBILITY

We welcome applicants who have an interest in public health and sustainable development, and demonstrate a commitment to working with underserved populations. Please note that these internships are only open to Columbia University graduate students.

PROJECT SELECTION AND SITE PLACEMENT

Internship placements are made based on the needs of the site. Millennium Villages site teams will identify projects and tasks for interns. Applicants should identify their preferred site placement; however, there is no guarantee that these specific requests can be met.

The Earth Institute offers a limited amount of funding for these internships. Students should also indicate if they have other sources of funding for the internship, including the amount of funding.

The Millennium Villages Project sites are located in Ethiopia (Koraro), Ghana (Bonsaaso), Kenya (Sauri), Malawi (Mwandama), Mali (Tiby), Nigeria (Pampaida), Rwanda (Mayange), Senegal (Potou), Tanzania (Mbola) and Uganda (Ruhiira). The regional centers are located in Dakar and Nairobi. Note that proficiency in French is required for placement in certain countries, including Senegal and Mali. Also note that placements in any country may be revoked due to political instability and safety/travel warnings. For more information about the project and these sites, please visit www.millenniumvillages.org

SESSION DATES AND APPLICATION DEADLINES

Summer Session: May/June – August/September 2013

Six-month Public Health Practicum: June – December 2013 (only for masters students in global health from the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University)

Summer Session AND Public Health Practicum Application Deadline: Feb. 15, 2013
Acceptance Date/Assignment Finalizations: ~ March 15, 2013

Summer Session: Interns are expected to commit at least 2 months (8 weeks)

Public Health Practicum: Interns are expected to commit at least 2-3 months (8-12 weeks)

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Please complete all sections of the application thoroughly. Your application must include all of the following to be considered:

Summer Session Application (link: General Application_2013.docx) OR Public Health Practicum Application (only for masters students in global health from the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University) (link: Health Application_2013.docx)
Résumé/CV
Two Letters of Recommendation: If possible, include a letter from a previous employer.

ALL applicants must send their materials to:

Natalie Unwin-Kuruneri

Associate Director, Office of Academic and Research Programs

The Earth Institute, Columbia University

natalie@ei.columbia.edu

Applicants from the Mailman School of Public Health should also send their applications to:

Elana Jacobs

MVP Health Program Manager

The Earth Institute, Columbia University

ejacobs@ei.columbia.edu

Applicants from the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons should also send their applications to:

Krystyna Cukrowski