Internship

The National Cooperative Business Association CLUSA International (NCBA CLUSA) is the primary voice for people who use cooperative businesses to build a better world and a more inclusive economy in the United States and an international development organization. NCBA CLUSA provides cross-sector education, technical assistance, and advocacy that helps co-ops thrive. For over 100 years, NCBA CLUSA has sought to advance and protect cooperative enterprises, highlighting the impact that cooperatives have in bettering the lives of individuals and families. In the last 60 years, NCBA CLUSA has worked in over 85 countries in the areas of food security, agricultural development, strengthening of communities and farmer organizations, community- based health, natural resources management, and empowerment of smallholder farmers, women, and youth. We currently work in in Africa, Latin America, and Asia.

NCBA CLUSA’s International Department is seeking a Business Development Intern to support a variety of new business efforts. This internship is afforded the ability to work a hybrid schedule and is for 12 weeks, working 20 hrs. per week.

By the end of this internship, the intern will have accomplished/learned the following:

• An understanding of NCBA CLUSA’s project portfolio, as well as business development processes, systems, and practices within an international development organization.
• Contribute to the expansion of NCBA CLUSA’s internal databases, including the Master Project, recruitment, and proposal writing databases.
• Research and propose innovative approaches and partnerships that can be incorporated into Business Development (BD) processes and support the development of new guidelines.
• Assist the BD recruiter in managing the recruitment database and support quality assurance.
• Contribute to planning and researching new BD opportunities and proposals.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research and articulate findings in a written report and oral presentation.

ESSENTIAL AREAS OF RESPONSIBILTY:

• Create and distribute targeted communications to Program Managers to notify them of Master Project templates and collaborate with these staff members to ensure that all fields are adequately filled.
• Work under the supervision of the BD recruiter to manage and expand NCBA CLUSA’s recruitment database.
• Support the utilization of AI tools in BD efforts, including tools that improve the efficiency of the proposal writing process, desk research, and other tasks.
• Support the Proposal Managers with proposal preparation and development, including development of annexes and capability statements.
• Support long term new business initiatives, including strategy and positioning efforts.
• Support the creation of and updates to internal BD process tools, templates, and guidance.
• Support the Proposal Managers with proposal development including: CV writing, developing graphics, copyediting, etc.
• Provide general administrative support to BD staff through note taking, desk research, copyediting, and knowledge management.
• Provide additional support to the business development team as needed.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

The right candidate will be a current student who has completed at least one year of higher education, pursuing a degree in international development, international affairs, agriculture, horticulture, knowledge management, organizational learning, sociology, and/or a relevant university degree.

• Excellent organizational, time management, research and writing skills.
• The applicant should have an interest in learning about the cooperative business model as an instrument for connecting developing countries and emerging markets to trusted and important networks, both domestically and internationally.
• Students with an appreciation of the role of cooperatives in economic development, resilience, social cohesion, access to finance and other outcomes, including nutrition and agriculture, would be preferred.
• Experience in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods.
• Demonstrated interest in issues relating to social inclusion, environment, gender, and/or youth.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
• Enjoy interacting with a diverse workforce in a pleasant and professional manner.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

None required.

Languages: Excellent communication skills and fluency in English required; fluency in Spanish, French, or Portuguese is desirable.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and analyze and synthesize data.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to write or type, use arms to reach for items and turn head to speak and/or hear others. The employee will frequently walk, reach, stoop, push and pull up to 20 lbs. and lift up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and should remain low to moderate during normal business hours. The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job within an office setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

RELATIONSHIPS: The Business Development Intern reports to the Program Manager and works closely with their school’s internship liaison. S/he is expected to work in a positive, professional manner with all NCBA CLUSA/CLUSA staff, former staff, members, potential members, vendors and the general public.