Intern: Creative Commonwealth

Our Graduate Internship programme provides opportunities for recent graduates to participate in all aspects of a dynamic organisation, gain relevant professional experience, and develop and strengthen their knowledge and skills.

The Foundation’s work is delivered through three core programmes: Commonwealth Civil Society, Creative Commonwealth and People of the Commonwealth. Interns are based in specific programme teams — but are encouraged to engage in activities throughout the organisation. Responsibilities are tailored to the programme area and the intern’s own capacities, typically including project work, research, preparation of briefing papers and provision of logistical and administrative support.

The organisation

The Commonwealth Foundation was established by Heads of Government in 1965, reflecting the commitment of Member States to ensuring that the Commonwealth family would be as much an association of peoples as of governments. As one of the three intergovernmental pillars of the Commonwealth, the Foundation operates within that critical space between government and civil society. Our focus is to:

• Support the active and constructive participation of Commonwealth citizens in all aspects of their governance
• Nurture the growth of vibrant and free civil societies in all Commonwealth countries
• Advance the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth.

Creative Commonwealth

The Creative Commonwealth programme is the Foundation’s cultural initiative: working to inspire and connect storytellers and artists across all regions of the Commonwealth. It brings personal stories to a global audience with the specific purpose of contributing to vibrant and free civil societies and advancing the principles and ideals of the Commonwealth.

The person

We are looking for someone with excellent research and administrative skills, a keen interest in the creative industries, and, ideally, a knowledge of international development. Strong technological skills — particularly in the use of Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Google suite — are essential.

Key tasks and responsibilities

The Creative Commonwealth intern role entails a range of responsibilities that will develop the skills for future professional success. You will support the Creative Commonwealth team in the following areas:

• Online publishing
• Communications and social media
• Event management
• The Commonwealth Short Story prize
• Grants management
• Partner relations

All Foundation interns are also required to participate in the following activities:

• Actively promote the values and aims of the Commonwealth
• Provide support in delivering the Foundation’s objectives, including assisting in cross-Foundation projects, events, and initiatives
• Undertake research projects and produce research papers
• Participate in the planning, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting cycle of the Foundation
• Contribute to the documentation and sharing of lessons learned and incorporation of these in project reports, publications, and appropriate presentation materials
• Support the technical aspects of the Foundation’s work including assisting in the management of webinars, online meetings, and social media.

Our responsibility to interns

We prioritise the professional development of our interns with the following actions:

• Encouraging participation in both internal and external learning opportunities and rotation between programme areas to broaden knowledge and skills
• Before moving on from the Foundation, we support interns with CV development, interview technique and opportunities for networking
• We are committed to celebrating and promoting diversity; fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment
• We aim to ensure that the Graduate Internship programme is as accessible as possible to people from a range of socio-economic backgrounds.

Other

• Daily allowance is based on the London Living Wage, currently £76 per day (based on 7 hours)
• 6-month duration with the possibility of extension to 12 months.
• The role will be based remotely with the intention of returning to the London offices once Government and Commonwealth Secretariat Covid-19 policies allow
• The intern is included fully in any external training opportunities (including conference attendance) and appropriate internal learning and development programmes
• Assistance is given where possible to aid the intern in securing a permanent role in another organisation at the end of their internship. If there was a suitable vacancy at the Foundation, the intern can apply, however, there is no guarantee of a permanent role at the end of the internship.
• As an internship, this does not constitute employment with the Foundation. There are no payments for bank holiday, privilege days or sickness. There is a limited holiday allowance.
• The intern must have the right to reside in the UK for the full duration of the internship. The Foundation cannot assist in altering the visa status of any applicant.

Interviews:

Wednesday 11 August to Friday 13 August 2021

Proposed start date:

Tuesday 17 August 2021