NDI is currently seeking interns to join various teams, with priority given to veteran applicants.

Background

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that works to strengthen democratic institutions around the world by engaging civil society and promoting openness and accountability in government. NDI has been supporting local democratization efforts in Ukraine since 1992. For more information about NDI, please visit: www.ndi.org 

General overview of the positions

NDI is currently seeking interns to join various teams, with priority given to veteran applicants.

• Admin/Operations

The department supports the effective and efficient running of the Kyiv office. You will be involved in the administrative functions, operations and procurement tasks, with the ability to learn how the programs and the office operate for the technical side.

• Information Integrity

The program is evidence-based with the goal to strengthen the resilience of Ukrainians towards disinformation and other malicious information influences. NDI achieves these goals by increasing the capacities of CSOs and government institutions, facilitating communication between them, and providing them with the results of the NDI’s own public opinion research to inform their activities.

• M&E and Subgrants

The department oversees the management of subawards and the development of project monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategies. This includes day-to-day administration of subgrants, financial monitoring, proposal reviews, and capacity-building support for partners. Additionally, the department ensures data-driven decision-making by developing key performance indicators, managing data collection and analysis, and conducting regular monitoring and evaluations. Through these efforts, the department promotes program improvement, data quality, and effective knowledge management.

• Office of the Director

The department provides administrative, managerial, analytical, and logistical support to the NDI Ukraine Country Director and Deputy Director. Key responsibilities during the internship will include preparing talking points, memos, news clippings, and updates on political developments, as well as performing administrative and logistical tasks.

• Parliamentary

The program enhances legislative capacity by organizing policy dialogues, supporting parliamentary diplomacy, and hosting bi-annual discussions on democratic challenges. Key initiatives include gender mainstreaming, counter-disinformation training, and promoting inclusion for veterans, persons with disabilities, LGBTIQ+, and other underrepresented groups.

• Political Parties

NDI shares the skills and expertise with both existing political parties and newly emerging political actors that embrace democratic values to improve the quality of political representation by assisting political parties in formulating policies, competing more effectively, governing more efficiently, or contributing constructively while in opposition. We achieve this through the development of organizing skills and  by reinforcing their commitment to democratic principles.

• Research

The research team closely cooperates with other NDI program teams to provide timely and nuanced data for their needs and the needs of the program partners. The research uses a wide range of traditional and innovative research methods, including focus groups, in-depth interviews, nationally representative in-person and telephone surveys, implicit association tests, online surveys, and deliberative polling.

• Women Lead

NDI supports the Equal Opportunities Caucus (EOC), the Pubic Council on Gender (PCG) and the Subcommittee on Ukraine’s compliance with international commitments on human rights and gender equality (Subcommittee). Through these structures NDI strengthens understanding of gender equality issues among parliamentarians and supports them in their efforts to mainstream gender in decision making, and internal and external communication strategies.

• Youth

NDI provides technical and financial assistance to local Ukrainian youth organizations to conduct leadership trainings, support youth project implementation, and develop their organizational capacity to become sustainable institutions for engaging young people in politics. NDI also strengthens youth government structures to involve young people in Ukraine’s reconstruction and recovery processes.

The NDI internship program will provide short-term, three to six months, supervised work experience related to democratic development and the good governance field. The program aims to promote a wider and better public understanding of the democratic institutions worldwide and domestically, challenges and opportunities for democratic development, and the work of the Institute in Ukraine. 

The working hours are subject to discussion and agreement with the supervisor, but within the 20 to 30 hours limit per week. 

The internship positions are located in Kyiv at NDI’s office on the 5th floor of a business center equipped with generally functioning elevators and backup generators. Accessible bathrooms are available on one of the ground floors. NDI is committed to inclusivity and offers flexibility for remote work arrangements for successful candidates with disabilities.

During their internship successful candidates will combine practical work experience with a structured learning experience through specific programmatic briefs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide logistical support for online meetings, trainings, workshops and other events as required;
• Assist with and provide back-up for the day-to-day operations of the program, responding to routine program inquiries, ensuring prompt and accurate forwarding of messages;
• Assist in  reconciliation of expenditures in accordance with NDI’s financial policies;
• Observe program supported activities;
• Assist in preparation and drafting of activity reports and briefing notes;
• Provide written translation of program materials;
• Monitor political and other developments in the country;
• Carry out other assigned tasks related to program activities.

Required Skills and Experience

• Ukrainian citizenship, or a foreigner, or a stateless person who stays in Ukraine and is eligible for work in Ukraine on legal grounds; 
• A relevant degree including, but not limited to Human Rights, Political Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Law, or Linguistics.
• Fluency in Ukrainian and English, including translation skills, will be an asset;
• Keen interest in Ukraine’s reforms and political processes, understanding of the political and civic landscape in Ukraine;
• Absence of the active involvement in political parties;
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and networking skills;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask;
• Ability to work in an organized manner and meet deadlines;
• Attention to detail;
• Strong writing skills with an ability to present clear and concise analysis;
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office Programs, Excel, Google tools, Zoom);
• Experience in data visualization would be an asset.

Remuneration Package

This is a paid internship. Details will be discussed with successful candidates. 

Deadline: The deadline for the submission of the required documents is by close of business on January 15, 2025.

Process:

1. A pre-screening video interview.
2. A written test.
3. A final interview with the hiring department(s) and HR.

Interested applicants should submit CVs and motivation letters by filling in the online application form: https://forms.gle/8VksC6L7LFRcJw1S7.

In Ukraine, NDI employs Ukrainian citizens and occasionally third country nationals who have the authorization to work in Ukraine.

The NDI Ukraine is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified candidates from all national, religious, gender, ethnic, and social backgrounds to apply to become a part of the organization.

The NDI Ukraine is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, and encourages all applicants, regardless of their abilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

The NDI Ukraine actively supports the recruitment of veterans and encourages qualified individuals with military service backgrounds to apply, recognizing the unique skills and experiences they bring to the workplace.

The NDI Ukraine has the authority to re-promote the vacancy, terminate the recruitment process, provide an appointment at a lower grade, or offer an appointment with a revised job description or for a different duration.