Architects and Engineers: voluntary remote internships to develop training and shelter designs

This internship is suited to young construction professionals, with experience across the construction industry, seeking to explore a career in the humanitarian sector, or make a humanitarian contribution. The interns will participate in humanitarian projects directly, with leading agencies, such as our ongoing development of the new shelter and settlement training for InterAction.

Professionals with a range of skills are sought to join a dynamic and diverse global team for full-time internships, although applications are welcome also from candidates who have some prior commitments, but are available almost full time. The reason for this is that we work in teams and it otherwise becomes difficult to arrange meetings across availability and time zones.

We are seeking pragmatic architects and engineers with an understanding of the different construction project phases, from conception to implementation. Experience in project and contract management in a multi-stakeholder environment is desirable.

In addition to technical capability, teamwork, empathy, an ability to function and add value in overcoming challenges is essential to join a dynamic and diverse global team. The successful candidate(s) will remotely join and support a talented and diverse multiskilled global humanitarian team.

Context

Shelter Centre, www.sheltercentre.org, is a small international humanitarian NGO registered in Switzerland which does not implement operations alone, but instead collaborates with agencies in direct support of their operations, as well as building capacity in the sector. Shelter Centre is dedicated to supporting collaboration, consensus and capacity throughout the global technical humanitarian community of practice. We serve the global technical community of practice through regular global practitioners’ events and resources.

These voluntary positions are for those committed to a future career in humanitarian action, seeking experience and opportunities to inform their decisions in identifying directions. Our people are the foundation to our work and we offer weekly bilateral personal development opportunities. Giving the opportunity of professional growth, former volunteers have gone on to work with donors, UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement, INGOs and CSOs.

Additionally, volunteers are expected to contribute to a series of ongoing projects, including but not limited to:

• the updating and development of the shelter and settlement training most used worldwide, for InterAction
• concept development of innovative new emergency shelter approaches

Main responsibilities and tasks

Informed by preliminary feedback, the intern will participate in the development of the various projects mentioned. This may involve activities including, but not limited to:

• understanding the contexts and audiences, as Shelter Centre always recognises affected populations as the primary responders
• development of an online shelter and settlement training course
• participate in key informant interviews
• provide inputs for developing methodologies
• collaborate on report writing providing inputs based on construction background
• data and document management
• design development of innovative shelter structures

Applicants should also be flexible and motivated to work on other projects and activities, which may range from supporting operational technical work to collaborations with agencies.

Desired education, interests, skills and experience

• interest or experience in in working on training programmes related to shelter
• interest or experience in sustainable construction
• interest or experience in product design and development
• experience working in the construction industry, such as contract management, environmental impact assessment, topography and quantity surveyors, electrical supply and distribution, HVAC, water supply and utilities
• experience at national level, around the world, in the private sector, humanitarian sector or civil society
• experience working within varied cultures around the world and in remote areas
• experience in project management
• ideally, a university (or accredited professional institution) degree in engineering (civil, structural, mechanical) or architecture
• knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research and analysis methods and ease with handling quantitative data

Required education, skills and experience:

• commitment to humanitarian action
• experience in general construction and/or design
• excellent research and writing skills, including methodologies and analysis
• strong organisational skills and demonstrated experience in project management, multi-tasking, prioritising and working accurately to set deadlines
• proven ability to work effectively and harmoniously in a team of colleagues of varied cultural and professional backgrounds
• fluent spoken and written English (minimum Level C1 proficiency)
• general computer literacy, including in Microsoft Office and GoogleDrive

In-kind time contributions will be considered from engineering firms, universities and research bodies.

What do interns get?

Interns are the foundation to Shelter Centre’s work and weekly personal development opportunities are offered in exchange. The interns are further supported through a personal weekly mentoring session including the review of curricula vitae, cover letters, job opportunities, references and writing personal reports. The team also benefits from regular group professional development events, involving external speakers, conferences, celebrations and other activities, organised by and at the request of the interns.

Conditions

We are seeking full-time or part time volunteers, to work remotely a total of 35 or 20 hours per week, taking into consideration different time zones. Flexibility is a key consideration, bearing in mind that the Shelter Centre team is based and operates across multiple time zones, to support our partners and all stakeholders and constituents, from operational response to global humanitarian activities. Please ensure that you specify your core time availability, and any flexibility in your application. The availability sought is a minimum of three months. Please note that applicants willing to undertake a full-time internship will be prioritised.

The positions are virtual, meaning interns will work from home. Shelter Centre will only consider applications from individuals who hold or are likely to obtain a valid permit which allows them to reside and undertake internships in their country of work. Shelter Centre has been working online across the globe by developing a collaborative way of working for over a decade.

Successful candidates will bear their own insurance, accommodation and living costs. Travel is not required.