Internships at MEDA give you the chance to contribute to the eradication of global poverty reduction. Experience in NGOs like MEDA can be a great stepping stone to a career in international development, government policy, communications, international relations, marketing, fundraising and more.
Our internships cover a wide range of topics including marketing and communication, constituent engagement, gender equality, environment and climate change, monitoring and impact measurement, and more.
MEDA offers International Internships and North American Student Opportunities.
*North American internships are currently REMOTE due to COVID-19
MEDA’s North American student opportunities are available to students and recent graduates and are mainly based in MEDA’s Waterloo, Ontario office. These internship positions support the following departments:
North American internship positions are typically 2-4 months in duration and are contingent upon funding from programs such as Canada Summer Jobs.
*International internships are currently on HOLD due to COVID-19
MEDA operates in many countries around the world and provides students and recent graduates with a unique opportunity to work out of one of our international offices.
Our international internship program begins with a 1-week orientation out of MEDA’s head office in Waterloo, ON followed by a 6-month assignment in one of our country offices such as Tanzania, Myanmar, Jordan, Kenya and Nicaragua.
Fluency in the native language (usually Spanish) is a preferred advantage, however, the main consideration will be the applicant’s ability to complete the work assignment. Fluency in the language is not a requirement for any of the internships. The advantage of knowing the native language will only be in relation to the language capacity of other applicants for the same position.
All direct expenses are covered including items such as: round-trip airfare, housing, health insurance, and other related direct costs such as work visas and vaccinations.
MEDA does not require interns to contribute any money toward the internship. All costs will be provided through GAC funding, or by MEDA. Please note: The housing and living allowance is modest, and designed to provide enough money for safe and comfortable living conditions. Participants should not expect to have savings accumulated from the living allowance at the end of the assignment.
MEDA typically hires Interns for departures in January and July. Please visit our Careers page to see any available opportunities. Once hired, all Interns attend an orientation session in Waterloo, Ontario. Interns will depart to the field to begin the work assignment following the orientation.
The Orientation Session is mandatory and once the date is set, it will not be flexible.
An Orientation Session will be provided prior to departure. During this session, you will receive a thorough introduction to: MEDA, our philosophy and methodology; your specific assignment and history of MEDA’s work in the country; training in specific research and reporting techniques; review of intercultural effectiveness; and other general background on travel and work overseas.
If you have additional questions, email volunteers@meda.org
MEDA – Mennonite Economic Development Associates – is an international economic development organization that creates business solutions to poverty.
MEDA International is a Canadian non-share capital not-for-profit corporation incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act.
Mennonite Economic Development Associates is a 501(c)(3) status non-profit organization in the United States: EIN 23-7398678. Mennonite Economic Development Associates of Canada is a registered charity in Canada: No. 107 691 057 RR0001.
© 2023 Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA). All Rights Reserved.
