Volunteer/Internships
FilmAid East Africa Office, Nairobi, Kenya
Internship
FilmAid international invites applications from qualified universities students or out of collage graduates to fill the above position. The position, based in Nairobi, will report to the Program Assistant and is a National position (for students / graduates in Kenya)
Background
The mission of FilmAid International (“FilmAid”) is to use the power of film to promote health, strengthen communities and enrich the lives of the world’s vulnerable and uprooted. The desired impact of FilmAid’s programs is to facilitate social change through film and video by giving individuals knowledge and confidence, and by providing communication tools, information, and opportunities for people to come together to explore, debate and express ideas.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Drafting and Editing Program Reports.
- Assisting in preparation of work plans and budgets.
- Researching for new content/films based on needs identified in the field.
- Pre-screening new content acquired.
- Drafting the Programs Staff Orientation Manual sheets, updating FAI Program Fact Sheet and Specific Fact Sheets for Kakuma, Dadaab, Nairobi and Kibondo Programs.
- Researching Foundations and Grants for possible Donors, in the effort to Fundraise.
- Researching relevant issues including but not limited to; best practices, rapid needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation tools, and participatory approaches/methodologies in humanitarian activities.
- Maintaining the content, books/library database.
- Creating a picture database for Kibondo, Kakuma, Dadaab activities and international events.
FilmAid Headquarters, New York City
Volunteers/Interns
Film & Video Editor
The Film & Video Editor is responsible for assembling video, graphics and still images into a cohesive program using Final Cut Pro. The ideal candidate would excel in working as part of a collaborative team and taking direction. The editor will work on editing our PVP short film (films created by refugee youth), as well as our community-based video project films. Additional skills that would be helpful: non-linear video editing, image manipulation and color correction of all assigned projects, and the creation of promotional trailers. The Film & Video editor would also subtitle these English language short films and create mpeg4 files and DVD dubs of the short films for distribution.
Communications & Outreach Internship
The communications intern will assist the Communications Director with handling publicity and press materials related to FilmAid. Projects may include compiling press kits, building network partnerships and supporting outreach programs that include film festivals. Assisting with website maintenance, newsletters, and media outreach, helping to maintain partner relationships, writing and editing reports and project summaries, creating FilmAid e-news alerts, assisting in annual reports and supporting the planning and coordinating of direct mail and annual appeal campaigns. This internship requires very strong interpersonal skills and writing skills. An interest and background in publicity, journalism, and/or media communications is helpful.
Online Outreach Internship
Online Outreach interns support outreach staff with activities connecting FilmAid’s work to other organizations, specific audiences, the media and the general public. These activities include online communications, public events, press relations, and relationships with other non-profit or media organizations. There is a great deal of collaborative work within Programs and Development areas of FilmAid.
Duties include:
- Supporting communication efforts online, particularly social networking sites and online tools such as YouTube, MySpace, FaceBook, Flikr and blogs to promote and publicize FilmAid’s work
- Design web graphics, html templates for use in e-communication
- Supporting production of Gala and other event
- Assisting in the production of e-alerts, e-newsletters and e-Annual Reports
- Tracking and supporting the maintenance of records of FilmAid in the press
- Supporting outreach events and preparing publicity materials
- Researching media and other outlets for national/international outreach
- Handling administrative responsibilities including maintenance of contact databases and files
- Participating in outreach meetings and staff meetings as relevant
- Preparing visual media for distribution and promotional use
More detailed in-depth responsibilities include:
- To inform FilmAid ongoing strategies and tactics, research and stay abreast of developments within the social media space, including: competitors’ presence and activities; the political and entertainment industries’ use of the space; social media companies’ road maps, financial health, etc.
- Cultivate and support FilmAid’s relationships with social media companies.
- Maintain existing properties (e.g., organizational and campaign pages on Facebook and MySpace; organizational channels on YouTube and Twitter; organizational photostream on Flickr) through continuous posting of relevant material; create and maintain new properties as appropriate; participate in non-FilmAid properties that support.
- Research and identify individuals “of influence” and affinity within social media spaces and the blogosphere for further strategic cultivation; cultivate as appropriate (e.g., becoming a fan, friend, etc.; commenting on relevant blog posts, etc.), working in cooperation with other departments as appropriate.
- Oversee the introduction and integration of social media tools into FilmAid’s websites and promotion of their use thereafter.
- Create and maintain a comprehensive listing of social media spaces and tools, tracking organizational presence in/use of each, # of engaged constituents, and other relevant data.
- Evaluate and make recommendations on unsolicited proposals regarding FilmAid’s presence in the space.
- Contribute to the development of campaigns, partnerships and initiatives by determining the best use of FilmAid’s social media assets (properties, networks, relationships, etc.)
- Track and report back on FilmAid’s activities and efforts in the space.
All interns are expected to spend a percentage of their time engaged in administrative support to outreach staff and office-wide.
Potential interns are preferably third or fourth year undergraduates/ graduate students with relevant experience. Undergraduates with relevant study experience will be considered. We look for a focus in studies on communications, international relations, human rights, refugees & forced migration and interdisciplinary studies. Because this internship is so focused in online work knowledge of HTML, basic Photoshop, and a basic knowledge of video editing software is also required.
Candidates should have:
- A passion and strong knowledge of creating/updating profiles and content on social networking sites including blogs, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, YouTube and other online properties
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
- Strong online research skills
- Competency with excel and web metrics
- Ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment
- Intellectual curiosity and creativity
- Analytical and problem solving skills
- Independent and self-motivated
Development Intern
The responsibilities of the development intern vary from researching foundations and grants to helping draft proposals and reports. The development intern will also be involved in planning fund-raising events and meetings with donors. This internship requires strong organizational, interpersonal and writing skills. A background in fund-raising and knowledge of Raiser's Edge is helpful.
Program Intern
This internship requires strong research, organizational and presentation skills to help compile information about projects and statistics relating to refugees in general, the refugee communities FilmAid currently serves and those that we will be working with in the future. Research topics include behavior, change, communication and camp statistics for use in reports and proposals. This internship would also involve researching and acquiring films for use in our programs. This includes finding films that are culturally appropriate and relevant to the communities we serve, and procuring them through distributors or filmmakers. You will keep records of releases for each of the films in the library to be screened in the camps. He/she will help maintain the content database and film library. This internship requires a self-motivated problem solver with strong organizational skills. A background in refugee relief and/or public health is helpful.
Administrative Intern
This internship is an opportunity to learn about all aspects of nonprofit management and administration. He/she will learn the basic operations of each department. He/she will help keep FilmAid’s headquarters office in running order and work closely with the Program Associate in handling the diverse needs of the office. This internship requires strong interpersonal, organizational and writing skills.
Additional Requirements for All Internships
The ideal candidate has a strong background in international affairs, education and media and an interest in using the arts in humanitarian aid, development and human rights. FilmAid is a small organization, where flexibility and a good sense of humor are of utmost importance. We require a commitment of at least two full days per week (or equivalent amount) and willingness to work independently on a variety of tasks ranging from office work to program design. Candidates should also be familiar with computer programs (including Microsoft Access and Excel), have experience working in an office environment and have strong writing and communication skills.
To apply please mail, e-mail or fax your resume and a cover letter indicating which position you are applying for to:
Human Resources
FilmAid International
24 West 23rd St., 4th Floor
New York, NY 10010
humanresources@filmaid.org
Fax: (212) 529-1084
