Internships

Interested in being a volunteer intern at Oxfam?Internship positions provide a substantive, challenging professional development experience and will expand your understanding of Oxfam's work to build lasting solutions to global poverty and injustice.

What is a voluntary internship with Oxfam?

Internships are one of the many styles of volunteering that Oxfam offers.

Interns are formally recruited and work very closely with staff in an office. Internships are usually based on an arrangement between Oxfam and an accredited educational program (high school, College or University) or in a formal program with another institution or organization.

Who can apply for a volunteer internship with Oxfam Canada?

We're looking for highly motivated people whoare passionate about our work and have something special to offer to support our mission. Interns are usually Canadian residents but students from other countries are welcome to apply. Note that Oxfam Canada is unable to provide visas for interns from other countries, or arrange intern travel or other logistics. Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.

Oxfam interns:

• Are usually students in an accredited educational program (high school, College or University) or in a program with another institution or organization.
• Work for a fixed period with a set number of hours per week. Placements are usually a minimum of 20hrs/week, during business hours (9-5) between Monday-Friday, for at least4 months.
• Internships aremost often based in an Oxfam office but in special cases interns may complete part or all of their work in a 'virtual' placement, where they could work from home if this is appropriate to the position (e.g. in a research assignment)
• May work for credit or a school-provided stipend. Oxfam internship placements are on a voluntary (unpaid) basis, although Oxfam will cover costs for expenses directly associated with the intern position activities, such as any required travel.
• May work in a variety of types of placements, includingin Oxfam's international program, public engagement, campaigns and advocacy team, fundraising department, organizational services or communications.

Can I do a volunteer internship overseas?

All Oxfam Canada internships are based in Canada, as we do not send volunteers on overseas placements.

Other Oxfam International affiliates may send volunteers overseas on internship programs. Contact Oxfam Quebec for information on their overseas programs that include international youth internship opportunities that may be open to all Canadian residents. Global Citizens for Change is an excellent resource for information on international internships and volunteer opportunities for Canadians.

What types of internship placements does Oxfam recruit for?

Oxfam Canada involves interns in a variety of placements, in areas of our work including communications, campaigns, fundraising, office administration, overseas program research, policy development and advocacy.

When does Oxfam recruit for interns?

We usually recruit volunteer interns for placements during these periodsof the year:

• January - May
• June - August
• September - December

We usually post positions two months beforehand and aim to confirm placements at least a month in advance.

We are currently recruiting for the following volunteer intern positions:

Halifax

Program Assistant, Campaigns and Outreach

Ottawa

Information Technology Assistant

Human Resources and Policy Administrative Assistant

Policy and Administrative Assistant, Executive Director’s Office

Toronto

Outreach Assistant, Policy & Outreach Team

For more information please email internships@oxfam.ca

How do I apply?

To apply for an internship opportunity with Oxfam Canada, pleaseemail your cover letter and resume to internships@oxfam.ca. Documents must be in Word (.doc) format.

Please be sure to provide the following details:

• why you are interested in a placement with Oxfam Canada and specific areas of our work that you would be interested to do an internship in;
• highlights of your skills, experience and educational background;
• the educational institution you are a student with, if any, and their requirements for the placement (i.e.number of hours or schedule to be worked, type of work specified, internship deliverables, reporting requirements, etc.);
• when you would like to start a placement and your availablity (hours, schedule, time period) as well as your deadline to confirm a placement;
• which Oxfam office locationsyou would be willing to do your internship in (St. John's, Halifax, Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatoon and/or Vancouver);
• your personal goals for doing an internship with Oxfam - what do you hope to learn and achieve?

What are the next steps once I apply?

You will be contacted if you are selected as a candidate for an available internship opportunity. We will often consider internship placements on a case by case basis, in response to applications we receive directly. In some cases, staff in Oxfam regional offices may recruit interns through local networks.We will post certain opportunities online as we recruit for new intern positions that become available in any of our offices. However, if you don't see a position posted on our website, there may still be an opportunity for you!

Does Oxfam offer paid internships?

Oxfam Canada usually offers only volunteer (unpaid) internships. Oxfam supports interns in order to facilitate their career goal development and expertise in the area of international development. Provision for any benefits and other related expenses are the responsibility of theintern. Oxfam Canada will provide for costs directly associated with the required position activities (e.g. local travel).

Will I get a paid job afterwards?

Although it is not uncommon for former interns to go on to find paid employment within Oxfam, we can not guarantee jobs to interns or other volunteers. All paid positions must be applied for in line with Oxfam's normal hiring procedures, and selection is dependent on meeting the key competencies in job descriptions.

However, volunteering with Oxfam is an excellent way to help you enter into paid employment, not least because of the skills and experience you will gain as a volunteer. You will also be able to receive a reference upon successful completion of your placement.

Click here for information about current employment opportunties with Oxfam Canada.

What will I gain from completing an internship?

This largely depends on the internship that you apply for. Most interships will offer:

• An orientation and ongoing support from a specific staff person,
• a great opportunity to apply your skills in an innovative and dynamic environment,
• a unique opportunity to be a part of an international NGO, and understand how Oxfam operates,
• a deeper insight into a specific role you will be given real responsibility and opportunity to take initiative,
• a valuable experience to add to your CV,
• the opportunity to network with many experienced staff members.
• opportunities to learn and develop with Oxfam staff and volunteer team members

What do other interns have to say about their experience?

Click here to read profiles of Oxfam volunteer interns who have worked in different Oxfam teamsand offices