Internship at the Strategy, Policy and Partnerships Department / North American Representative Office (SPD/NARO)

1.

INTERNSHIP TOPIC
Analyzing and Mapping Philanthropies and High Net Worth individuals in North America to identify high potential partners for ADB

2. SUMMARY OF JOB DESCRIPTION
The intern will engage in a range of tasks to support the North American Representative Office of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in strengthening its interaction with philanthropies and high net worth individuals in North America.

The North American donor landscape is different from other geographies due to a high concentration of philanthropies and high net worth individuals who contribute resources for various development objectives.

This landscape is dynamic and has been undergoing substantial changes (bifurcation of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations, Warren Buffett pledge to redirect his resources away from Gates, emergence of new philanthropies). At the same time, these nongovernmental resources are a crucial financing source that can augment scarce sovereign / government support for multilaterals including ADB to address increased demand for grants and other concessional resources to address emerging and remaining development challenges in Asia and the Pacific.

As ADB intensifies its innovative fight against climate change in Asia and the Pacific, it requires higher levels of grant resources (particularly in climate adaptation),.

Against this background, the intern will conduct a mapping of philanthropies and high net worth individuals, identifying those that offer the potential of collaborating with ADB in its mission. Both existing partnerships (with ADB and other MDBs) will be reviewed as well as potential new partnerships will be explored.

The intern’s tasks include conducting in-depth research and analysis of ADB’s current donor engagements in North America, identifying trends and areas of interest, and evaluating partnership effectiveness.

The intern will also map existing and potential donors, assess how much they give and who they partner with, asses their geographic and thematic alignment with ADB’s mission, identify high potential key individuals and organizations for strategic partnerships and recommend strategies for engagement and building relationships. Additionally, the intern will assist in preparing briefing materials, participate in meetings and events, and support communication between ADB and its potential donor partners.

Regular reporting on donor engagement status and strategic recommendations for strengthening relationships will also be part of their duties, along with identifying best practices from other international organizations.

3.

PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT
• Duration: 11 weeks
• Timing: January 2025 onwards

4. LOCATION
ADB North American Representative Office, Washington D.C.

5. EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The expected outcome of this internship is a thorough analysis of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) engagement with existing and potential non-governmental sponsors in North America.

This will include a detailed report on the current state of donor and philanthropic relationships within ADB, highlighting key stakeholders and trends. Strategic recommendations will be proposed to strengthen partnerships that align closely with ADB’s mission and objectives.

Additionally, the intern will contribute to the preparation of briefing materials, participate actively in stakeholder meetings, and help develop effective communication strategies between ADB and its benefactors. These efforts aim to enhance ADB’s capacity to form impactful partnerships and support its developmental initiatives effectively.

Qualifications

6. EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
• Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in International Relations, Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, or related fields.
• Intern must be enrolled at a school in one of the ADB member countries for the entire duration of the internship.

7.

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with the development sector and the role of donors and philanthropists.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

8.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Upload the following documents in the “Attachments” section of your application
• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Proof of enrollment to a Masters or PhD program. Inclusive dates should confirm that you will be enrolled during the intended period of assignment (January to March 2025).