Policy and Advocacy Intern

Description

INTERNSHIP TITLE: Policy and Advocacy Intern

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION: Washington, DC

DATES OF INTERNSHIP: mid January 2026 – mid April 2026 (3 months)

HOURS PER WEEK: 32 hours/week

INTERNS SUPERVISOR & CONTACT INFORMATION: Senior Policy Advisor

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP: $3207.00/month

Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:

• Training and supervisory support
• Access to Mercy Corps online tools
• All other tools, materials and communication requirements for this project

  Intern responsibilities

  Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:

  • Laptop computer
  • Accommodation, travel and living expenses

    PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

    Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

    The Mercy Corps Policy and Advocacy team serves as the main interface between Mercy Corps and external partners (particularly the U.S. government) on issues of policy. The team seeks to advance Mercy Corps’ values and interests by promoting policies that support our mission. We work to inform and shape policy in a number of ways, including:

    • Congressional Advocacy: direct meetings with key U.S. House and Senate offices, participation in briefings and hearings, review and commenting on draft legislation, active participation in discussions related to the foreign aid budget and relevant foreign policy issues, and linking Members of Congress who are traveling with our teams in the field.
    • Administration Advocacy: meetings with Administration officials, ongoing communication with key partner agencies in the USG, participation in joint consultations and briefings together with partner NGOs in DC.
    • Joint work with NGO partners: active participation in InterAction working groups and other coalition efforts organized in DC on priority issues or countries for Mercy Corps, drafting of joint documents, organizing joint lobby days on Capitol Hill.
    • General Education on US Foreign Assistance: working independently and collaboratively to educate the American public, key US stakeholders, and policy decision makers of the value and benefits of robust US foreign assistance to our national security, political, and moral benefit.
    • Organizing DC visits for visiting Mercy Corps field staff: scheduling meetings for visiting staff and accompanying them to ensure adequate preparation and follow up to these visits.
    • Publications: preparing and disseminating policy briefs on key issues, circulating information on Mercy Corps programs to key policy makers, participating in joint documents and sign-ons with other NGOs, working with field staff to draft joint articles on policy-related issues for publication.

      The intern(s) will support and participate in the work of the Policy and Advocacy team. Areas of focus may include:

      • Supporting internal strategizing regarding U.S. federal actions and broader strategic planning for campaigning and advocacy, including research, summarizing reports, briefings, and hearings.
      • Supporting the preparation of briefings, presentations, graphics, databases/spreadsheet and memos.
      • Developing written materials for both internal and external audiences, such as background memos, informational leave behinds, and updates to Congress and MC leadership.
      • Reviewing, summarizing, and categorizing relevant news articles.
      • Thematic topics, such as budget and approprations; food security; economic opportunities; climate; and humanitarian assistance.

        LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

        • Understanding the linkage between international policy, programming and outcomes in the humanitarian and development field.
        • Understanding core elements of the U.S. policy process, including the roles of Congress various Executive Branch agencies in development policymaking.
        • Knowledge of key qualitative and quantitative resources related to US development policy.
        • Understanding specific policy issues, as listed above, or according to the interests of the intern.