J.E. Austin Associates’ work covers important development challenges in every region of the world. J.E. Austin Associates, Inc. (JAA) was founded in 1986 to focus on poverty reduction and sustainable, socially responsible economic growth for the purpose of assisting businesses, governments, non-profit organizations. Currently, our projects span across Ukraine, Moldova, Bosnia, Colombia, Guyana, Pakistan, Nigeria, Congo, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Egypt.  Since our foundation, we have worked in over 127 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. JAA’s technical expertise covers strategic planning, competitiveness, export growth, agribusiness, investment promotion, private sector development, financial analysis, and institutional strengthening. We are working to advise an incoming national government on their overall economic strategy and policy.  We enable public-private dialogue between public, private, and civil society leaders.   

JAA makes people think.  We have developed a lot of intellectual property over the years, used both by other organizations in the industry and by major development banks and agencies around the world.  We introduced national competitiveness initiatives to USAID in 1998.  We wrote several influential World Bank publications that provided frameworks for international development practitioners.  We like thinking outside the box and coming up with solutions to complex problems. 

The Internship Opportunity: We currently have an opportunity for an intern to work in support of the project managers who oversee ongoing projects and business development endeavors.  As an intern at JAA, you will have the opportunity to learn about technical and managerial work in international development; establish a familiarity with USAID, DoS, and World Bank procedures; and participate in the company’s mentor-matching program. J.E. Austin Associates is dedicated to crafting an experience that provides our interns with many kinds of opportunities relevant to a career in international economic development. This is a paid internship.

The internship is designed to give you broad exposure to multiple professional development areas and sharpen relevant skills:

Project Management

• Assist with backstopping several international economic development projects, by providing administrative managerial support to field offices and overseas personnel on overseas travel.
• Assist project managers in recruiting, screening and fielding long and short-term expatriate staff and consultants.
• Assists with procurement of goods and services in the U.S.
• Edit and/or compile research and other data for technical reports.

Business Development

• Assist Project managers as needed in maintaining systems for tracking proposals
• Regularly check relevant websites for upcoming projects and opportunities
• Prepare and organize inputs (such as reports on past projects and CVs) for proposals.

Systems Management

• Management of JAA website content.
• Assist with JAA’s social media presence.
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Additional Tasks

• Special assignments outside of the tasks listed above may also be undertaken, including technical work and research assignments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (or graduating in 2023) in business administration, economics, political science, international relations, or relevant field.
• Currently enrolled in a degree-earning program
• Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in working in international development; interest in business strategy, agriculture/agribusiness and/or entrepreneurship is a plus.
• Strong organizational and administration skills.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Advanced PowerPoint or other presentation/ graphic design skills are a plus.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of the team.
• Proficiency in French, Spanish, and/or Arabic is strongly preferred.

Timeframes

• Fall Internship: Early September through late December. Must apply by August 15th
• Spring Internship: Mid-January through mid/end of May. Must apply by December 15th
• Summer Internship: Late May through early August. Must apply by May 5^th

The internship is based out of our office in Arlington, VA. Compensation for the position is $20 per hour.

To Apply:  Interested applicants should submit their resumes and a cover letter to bdean@jeaustin.com with the subject line “Summer Intern Application”