Kyrgyzstan - Kompanion Communications and Marketing Internship (Summer) - Mercy Corps

Tracking Code

218484-927

Job Description

INTERNSHIP TITLE:
Communications & Marketing

INTERN WORKSITE LOCATION:
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

ANTICIPATED DATES OF INTERNSHIP:
3 Months beginning May 2013 (earlier or later start date negotiable)

ANTICIPATED LENGTH OF INTERNSHIP:
3 months; however, availability for a longer period preferred

FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP:

• Mercy Corps responsibilities

For the duration of this internship assignment the intern will receive:
In-country accommodation (housing at Mercy Corps guesthouse in Bishkek)
In-country business travel costs will be covered by the field office
Interpretation services as necessary
Emergency Med-Evac coverage through ISOS

• Intern responsibilities

Intern will remain responsible for all costs associated with:
International travel to the field (i.e. air ticket, visa, personal expenses)
            All other living expenses
            Medical Insurance

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
In 1994, Mercy Corps became one of the first non-governmental organizations to work in the newly independent Kyrgyz Republic.  Today, its programs reach more than 350,000 people in all major urban and rural communities of the country’s seven oblasts, or states.  Mercy Corps programs in Kyrgyzstan invest in the country’s development by providing financial services and business advice, improving education and vocational opportunities for youth, and establishing a framework for equitable and broad-based economic progress.

Founded by Mercy Corps, Kompanion is a locally directed, managed, and operated Closed Joint Stock Microfinance Company registered with the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic.  Kompanion offers community development products and services to underserved populations nationwide, and is the second largest financial institution by customer base in Kyrgyzstan.  Currently, the company serves over 113,000 active borrowers out of 82 locations, with an outstanding portfolio of over $50 million.  Kompanion is headquartered in Bishkek.

Kompanion’s mission is to be the leading community development financial institution in Kyrgyzstan.  Kompanion supports the strengthening and growth of communities by offering development products and services to entrepreneurs and individuals.  Kompanion’s primary objectives are to:

• Foster the growth of micro- and small-business entrepreneurs so they are able to create and increase family wage jobs in their communities;
• Promote natural resource conservation and good management practices to our customers and communities;
• Bring accessible and appropriate financial services to underserved individuals and markets; and
• Help customers build healthy, financially stable communities.

The internship will provide opportunities for interested students to gain first-hand experience in and expand their knowledge of critical issues related to the field of communications and marketing from a community development financial institution’s perspective.  The internship is rigorous in that the intern will be charged to assist the Content Manager with the website promotion, content generation and copywriting.  The intern will also help Kompanion’s Translators/Editors in editing translations. In addition, the intern will help with various project-specific publications on an ongoing basis (i.e., client information materials—brochures, newsletters, reports, success stories, etc.).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the website content manager with up-to-date practices in web-promotion, SEO and SMM
• Assist the team with website content generation in English
• Do corrections of the translations and other content
• Research best practices in marketing and branding.
• Generate content for and edit media and press releases and other publications.
• Other duties as assigned by the intern supervisor.

DELIVERABLES:

• Corporate marketing and branding strategy (a joint project with the Communications Manager).
• Media and press releases, as well as other publications as assigned by the supervisor.

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: The intern will gain practical experience assisting with the development and implementation of a marketing and branding strategy for microfinance institution.

IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Pursuing graduate studies or comparable educational or professional experience in International Development, Communications or a related area
• Passion for community development
• Excellent writing/editorial skills in English
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and organizational skills
• Positive attitude and flexibility
• Team-oriented, but able to work independently
• Previous experience in a developing country considered advantageous, but not required
• Strong verbal and reading skills in Russian considered advantageous, but not required

LIVING CONDITIONS:
The intern will be based in Bishkek, where the Mercy Corps Kyrgyzstan head office is located, with some travel to communities in rural regions.  In Bishkek, water and electricity are fairly constant; however, this is not always the case in the regions.  Living conditions in Bishkek are comfortable with access to such conveniences as shops and restaurants serving local and foreign foods.  Road conditions are rough and distances are long.  The intern should be used to traveling long distances in uncomfortable vehicles and spending significant time in villages with few to no amenities.  Although there are no immediate security concerns, interested candidates are advised to study the country specific information on the U.S. State Department’s website at http://www.travel.state.gov and stay up to date on current travel warnings on the U.S. Embassy’s website at http://bishkek.usembassy.gov.

Mercy Corps interns and volunteers represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Job Location

Bishkek, , Kyrgyzstan

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

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