Global Program Development Intern

Job Description

Position Summary

Please note: This internship is unpaid and is only open to applicants who are applying as a part of an academic program and who receive a financial stipend from their academic institution. The Global Affairs and Partnerships (GAP) team at Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking an intern for Winter/Spring 2026 to support the organization’s fundraising, program development, and knowledge management activities. The Global Program Development Intern will help advance Search’s peacebuilding mission by contributing to fundraising, organizational partnerships, project design, and proposal development for global programs.

Program development interns play a critical role in Search’s peacebuilding programs by fundraising from governments, multilateral organizations, and foundations, and by designing new programs in coordination with our regional teams. This internship offers students hands-on experience in program design and a behind-the-scenes look at a non-governmental organization. Interns will be introduced to our network of donors and partners in peacebuilding and within the broader humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the development of global partnerships, project designs, and proposals;
• Conduct research related to fundraising from bilateral governments, multilaterals, and foundations;
• Identify and research opportunities for new program development and partnerships;
• Represent Search at relevant meetings and events in Washington, D.C.;
• Develop and update knowledge management tools and resources, including capacity statements, fundraising analyses, and strategies, and more.

You meet the following qualifications:

• Current student working towards a degree in International Relations, Conflict Studies, Development, or a related area;
• Written and spoken fluency in English;
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Internet Search Engines).
• The ideal candidate will further exhibit:
• A self-starting, enthusiastic, and flexible approach to the organization and the position.
• Experience in foreign policy, fundraising, and peacebuilding;
• Demonstrable interest in creating partnerships with other organizations, policymakers, and donors to advance peacebuilding;
• Experience in business development or with donor agencies
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills;
• Excellent attention to detail; and
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Available for 32-40 Hours a week

Salary:

This internship is open only to applicants who are enrolled in an academic program and receive a financial stipend from their academic institution.

Closing

**Please indicate in your cover letter if you are applying for this position as part of a program where you will receive academic credit or other compensation for completing this internship.**

This opportunity is open to applicants interested in starting in January 2026 and ending in May or June of 2026

Application Deadline: November 7, 2025

About the Organization

Founded in 1982, Search for Common Ground works to transform the way the world deals with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. We work with local partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies' capacity to deal with conflicts constructively: to understand the differences and act on the commonalities.