Free to Run Communications and Development Intern

About Us

Free to Run’s mission is to enable women and girls to safely and boldly engage in outdoor activity in conflict-affected regions. Through a combination of sports programs (focused on running and hiking), life skills development, and community outreach, we help girls and women to reclaim public space and change views about the roles they can (and should) play in a society. Our programs are designed to develop community leaders who can bring people together across cultural, ethnic and religious lines. Our programs are implemented in multiple provinces in Iraq, clandestinely in Afghanistan and with an aim to expand to a third country in 2023.

Position Overview

Free to Run seeks a Communications and Development Intern to support our administrative team (based in the US, EU, and UK.) Interns will gain experience in working with a small, social impact organization and will contribute directly to the human/women’s/girls’ rights work we do in a fun and supportive environment. It’s the ideal opportunity for someone who is passionate about our mission AND brings skills/education and experience related to design, marketing, journalism, communications and/or fundraising for nonprofit organizations/NGOs.

Generally, this position is aimed at supporting awareness raising, brand growth and resource mobilization globally. The Communications and Development Intern will report directly to the Director of Development and Communications and to specific members of the team on various projects. This is a remote internship and can be done from any location with a strong internet connection.

Core Accountabilities

1. Serve as Lead Creative on Communications Projects and Tasks (30%)

• Support the Director of Development and Communications in creating an Annual Report and other external-facing communications
• Develop blog posts (and other earned and owned media pieces)
• Update the (Squarespace built) website if needed
• Support social media efforts and community building
• Create specific communications related to campaigns and bespoke efforts
• Liaise with country staff to create visual assets updating our community about programs
• Develop visual and multimedia communications assets as needed
• Participate in Marketing and Communications Committee meetings

1. Co-lead Ambassador Program (Peer to Peer, Race-Based Fundraising Program) (30%)

• Participate in Ambassador program promotion strategy
• Support the on-going selection of Ambassadors for the 2023 program
• Develop visual and multimedia assets in support of Ambassadors
• Identify, cultivate and manage corporate, nonprofit and government partnerships that can increase participation in Ambassador program
• Attend external outreach events to promote program (and organization broadly)
• Track and analyze performance against key program metrics
• Communicate internally and externally about the Ambassador Program

1. Support Other Development and Awareness-Raising Efforts (30%)

• Conduct desk research to identify high-potential, strategically aligned funding opportunities
• Support in writing grant proposals and concept notes
• Support in report writing for existing donors
• Identify and cultivate relationships with potential individual and institutional supporters
• Engage own network for support through whatever means feels appropriate and comfortable

1. General Support and Team Participation (10%)

• Assist in other tasks related to Free to Run’s programs or administrative functions
• Participate in weekly team meetings and thematic/project meetings as appropriate
• Participate in regular 1 on 1s with supervisor

Location (Duty Station)

This is a fully remote position that can be done from anywhere in the world with a personal computer and a strong internet connection for frequent meetings with the Free to Run Team and Ambassadors.

Working Hours, Duration & Start

Minimum 20 hours per week commitment for no less than 6 months; prefered start in June. Longer duration, different start date and more hours (up to 32 hours weekly) can be negotiated. Depending on time zone, the Communications and Development Intern must be willing to be available for meetings with teammates outside of typical working hours in the geographic context in which they are located.

Compensation

Free to Run strongly encourages all university or college student applicants to explore funding opportunities from their institutions and will work with Interns to fulfill relevant requirements. If Interns cannot acquire funding for internships through their colleges or universities (or other grants), or Interns are not currently university/college students, we will provide a modest stipend (roughly equivalent to minimum wage in the geographic area where the intern is living).

Education, Experience and Competencies

Below is a look at what we are looking for as we evaluate applications. Candidates don’t need to have all these experiences and competencies but should be able to display strengths across multiple areas.

Education: Current university student or recent university graduate of either a Master’s or Bachelor’s in a relevant field (BFA/MFA, journalism, communications, marketing, international relations, graphic design, humanitarian aid, women’s/gender studies).

Language Requirement: Fluent English, written and verbal

Experience

• 1-3 years of professional experience in one or more aspects of the job description
• Passion for Free to Run’s mission, including the power of sport, working with women and girls, and youth-led projects
• Experience working with and for nonprofit/NGO organizations appreciated
• Experience working in human rights, women’s/girls’ rights and/or social justice and community organizing is appreciated
• Familiarity with social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)

Skills and Competencies

• Intermediate to advanced graphic design skills (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.)
• Ability to write beautiful, persuasive and creative things for a global audience
• Excellent verbal communications skills, including professional communication in intercultural and professional spaces
• Video editing skills (preferred)
• Basic understanding of how to use Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace to manage documents, spreadsheets, scheduling, etc.
• Analytical and critical thinking, ability to understand problems and generate creative solutions
• Goal orientation; propensity to hustle is a baseline expectation for all FTR team members
• Ability to organize self under the pressure of a dynamic and quickly changing environment,

manage priorities, work independently and collaboratively, and accept constructive feedback

• Demonstrated intercultural communication and negotiation skills
• Ability to display a sense of calmness and control over difficult or unforeseen situations in self and the team. Ability to cope with your own emotional demands while encouraging teamwork and constructive collaboration.

Free to Run is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We don’t just accept differences — we celebrate, support and thrive on them for the benefit of our team, our programs, and our organizational strength. We are proud to be an affirmative action employer, committed to diversity, equity and inclusion of ALL people in our hiring and employment practices. We encourage applications from people who have non-dominant identities based on race, ethnicity, migration status, ability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class, etc.