Turkey: Summer Research Internship

Scope of Work: Summer Research Intern Program.

Mayday Rescue’s support to Syria Civil Defence represents both a case study of a highly successful multi-year humanitarian project and an innovative approach to stabilisation operations based on capacitating community-based emergency services rather than security and governance. It is a model that could potentially be deployed in other zones of conflict and instability in the future. However, there is, as yet, neither any definitive MAYDAYRESCUE.ORG written record of what happened during this process to date, nor is there any codified doctrine for how to apply it in other environments.

The goal of the summer 2016 research program will contain two projects: first, to write a comprehensive history of Syria Civil Defence from its origins until today, including the role of external donors and implementing partners; and second, to develop a doctrinal framework of analysis/guide for implementation of greenfield Civil Defence projects in new environments— from the initial stages of searching for, evaluating and selecting candidates for new country projects, down to the technical level of determining what kit and techniques are most appropriate for a given context. As these two research projects are developed, insights from one will inform the other, and both will proceed from common research questions: how and why did SCD originate and grow to its current state? Who were the key individuals who drove this process, and what did they do that made it possible? What were the roles of external actors, particularly Mayday? What environmental factors were at play? In short: how do you build a community-based civil defence organisation in a conflict zone? As the primary architects behind SCD, the Mayday team and the White Helmets we work with hold much of the knowledge necessary to answer this question— the challenge is to record it, organise it, and fit it into an analytical framework that can be used in the future.

Internships Available.

Due to the projects under this year’s summer intern program, Mayday Rescue is seeking two interns. Both interns will report to the Project Executive Officer; while each intern will work independently and be individually responsible for delivery of their project, there will be considerable overlap between the two projects and the interns will be expected to collaborate extensively (to the extent their schedules overlap).

Summer Research Intern—History (“History Intern”) will focus on the first project, with the goal of producing a detailed narrative history of Syria Civil Defence and the various projects supporting it, from its inception to the present day. The history will seek to answer the questions of what happened, why, and how, who the key actors were, and how the emergence and growth of SCD varied from location to location. It will also seek to evaluate the role of external support throughout the lifetime of SCD.

Summer Research Intern—Doctrine (“Doctrine Intern”) will focus on the second project, with the goal of producing a doctrinal framework/guide for implementation of new projects. We envision the project building on previous research, relevant literature in the field, and new research (via interviews with Mayday staff, SCD members, and others), but the individual selected for this internship will be ultimately responsible for designing and delivering the research project in consultation with Mayday staff.

Responsibilities include:

• Design and manage research project in coordination with Project Executive Officer, Monitoring and Evaluation Director, and Mayday Director.

• Conduct desk review of relevant literature (e.g. military stabilisation doctrine, literature from humanitarian field, etc.)

• Collect and analyze primary and secondary data, including but not limited to interviews, field reporting, M&E reporting, media reporting, and project reporting.

• Submit findings in pre-agreed formats.

Qualifications.

Essential:

• Currently enrolled in (2nd year or later) or graduated from four year bachelor’s degree program in International Relations, Public Policy, International Business or related field. Master’s degree students strongly preferred.

• Strong knowledge (especially coursework or formal training) of research methodology in fields related to conflict, security, stability, development, and humanitarian affairs, and ability to independently design and execute research projects.

• Excellent research and writing skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to integrate effectively into multicultural teams.

• Working knowledge of Middle Eastern regional affairs, especially the Syrian conflict.

• Ability to work independently, with limited direction and supervision, in a dynamic, loosely-structured environment.

Desired:• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Master’s-level program (or higher) in International Relations, Public Policy, International Business or related field (strongly preferred).

Two years’ or more professional experience in fields related to governance and civil society, defence and security, diplomacy, intelligence, stabilization/peace operations, development, humanitarian aid, or international business. 

• Two years’ or more experience living/working internationally (especially in the Middle East). 

• Strong understanding of the Syrian conflict and the actors involved. 

• Strong academic/theoretical grounding in the fields of modern conflict, stability and security. 

• Experience in conflict analysis. 

• Experience designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects/interventions in conflict areas.

• Knowledge and/or experience in the fields of search and rescue and emergency response. 

Languages: 

• Fluent English speaking, reading and writing required. 

• Full professional proficiency in Arabic strongly preferred. 

Expected Outputs:

History Intern:

Written research paper (estimate: 60-100 pages) providing thorough historical analysis of the establishment and development of Syria Civil Defence, including the role of international support, in particular Mayday Rescue, for internal reference, circulation among stakeholders, and possible publication. • Doctrine Intern: Written doctrinal document (est. 60-100 pages) laying out an analytical framework/manual to guide greenfield development and implementation of Civil Defence projects.

Interns will be required to relocate to Istanbul, Turkey for the duration of the internship, and must be able to obtain a visa and travel to Turkey within a reasonable amount of time.

If you are interested in applying, please email a Resume/CV, cover letter and two-page sample of your writing (preferably from your recent academic or professional experience) on a relevant topic (e.g., history, MAYDAYRESCUE.ORG international relations, public policy, etc.) to Ethan Wilson at Ethan@Maydayrescue.org. In your cover letter, please specify which position you are applying for (History Intern or Doctrine Intern, or both). The cover letter is to include why you are interested in the position(s) and how your skills and experiences can accomplish the objective. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to participate in an interview (in person, if possible, or via Skype).

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as applications are received. Please include Summer Research Intern in the subject line. Please be advised that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an interview.