Intern Program
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Program Update
Rooftops Canada 2013 Young Professional Internships
Young Professional Internships: Application deadline - the Architect position at WAT-HST has been extended to May 6, 2013. (Other positions are now closed)
Rooftops Canada, is recruiting four interns to work with partner organizations in Sub Saharan Africa. These six-month internships are part of our program with the Canadian International Development Agency’s Partnerships with Canadians Branch. They are not IYIP internships but we are using similar eligibility criteria. One important difference is that previous beneficiaries of Canadian Youth Employment Strategy programs are eligible for these internships.)
To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from college or university, be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and be between the ages of 19 and 30. The four internships are:
1 - To help the National Association of Social Housing Organizations in Johannesburg implement the first phase of its new information system including setting up a spatial database about current and planned social housing projects. This requires candidates with backgrounds in information management including spatial information systems, database and Excel systems, and project management.
2 - To work with the Centre for Affordable Housing Finance, based in Johannesburg to undertake a research study into housing microfinance in Southern Africa. This requires a background in humanities or finance / commerce with experience in social research, including survey design, sampling, data collection, and analysis.
3 - To assist the Kuyasa housing microfinance fund in Cape Town to improve financial and business systems. This requires a background in commerce or business with strong data management skills.
4 – To assist WAT’s project team manage current and future projects to develop a more sustainable community. This position requires a background in Architecture, a specific training or experience in affordable housing design, ‘green’ building construction; resident site planning and project management would be an asset.
All candidates should have very strong oral, written and cross-cultural communications skills are required, and some understanding of housing issues is desirable. Interns will depart in May or June 2013.
For your application to be considered please fill the 2013 Application form (PDF) (DOC) and send it along with your Resume and Cover Letter.
2013 Intern Positions (PDF) (DOC)
How it Works
Rooftops Canada ’s youth professional internships offers recent graduates challenging work experience in an international environment. Internships focus on professional and cross-cultural skills development, enhancing participants’ career prospects.
All internships are designed to respond to the needs of our partners and add value to their work. The interns are an integral part of Rooftops Canada’s mission to improve housing conditions and build sustainable communities in disadvantaged regions of the world.
Rooftops Canada interns have helped our partners to develop low-cost and special needs housing, design income-generating projects, engage in housing and land rights research and advocacy, develop HIV and AIDS training modules, and strengthen global shelter networks.
Each intern receives a stipend to cover travel and living expenses for the six-month overseas placement. The internships are funded by Rooftops Canada in partnership with Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Partnership with Canadians Branch.
Who is Eligible?
Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, between the ages of 19 and 30. Interns must be graduates of a university degree or a college diploma program, and be currently unemployed or underemployed. Individuals with previous professional experience working overseas in their field and former participants in programs supported by the Youth Employment Strategy are eligible.
To Apply
Send your resume, a cover letter that explains which Rooftops Canada internship you are applying for and why to E-mail: internships@rooftops.ca. Indicate the position you are applying for in the subject line.
Note: You may apply for more than one internship, but please submit only one resume, cover letter and application form. No phone calls please.
Here is what some of the interns have said about their work with Rooftops Canada’s overseas partners.
Abilimi is truly awesome, it is as close to “the ground” as you can get in the food sector. I gained an insider perspective of what it means to work in a food organization in South Africa: the strengths and challenges of the food movement, the relationships between different stakeholders (NGOs and government), the work other organizations are doing and how successful they are. In addition I learned a lot about organic agriculture from my colleagues and Abalimi farmers. I was truly inspired by the support I got from Abalimi – the women especially were all incredibly kind.
Indra Noyes, Abalimi Bezekhaya, Cape Town, South Africa, 2012
I had an invaluable experience at NASHO, learning both about social housing and South African culture. I was able to participate in site visits to social housing institutions across the country as well as in enlightening workshops. As part of my position I had to analyze the organization’s circumstances and find ways to address communication gaps quickly and relatively independently. Over time, my understanding of social housing in South Africa deepened and it became easier to engage colleagues about work and to get their feedback. I was also able to share observations that triggered interesting discussions.
Karine LeBlanc, NASHO, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2012
