Development Internship

Mental Disability Rights International

Location    :   Washington DC

About the organisation:

Mental Disability Rights International (MDRI) is dedicated to promoting the human rights and full participation in society of people with mental disabilities worldwide.Based in Washington DC, MDRI documents conditions, publishes reports on human rights enforcement, and promotes international oversight of the rights of people with mental disabilities. Drawing on the skills and experience of attorneys, mental health professionals, human rights advocates, people with mental disabilities and their family members, MDRI trains and supports advocates seeking legal and service system reform and assists governments to develop laws and policies to promote community integration and human rights enforcement for people with mental disabilities. The organization is forging new alliances throughout the world to challenge the discrimination and abuse faced by people with mental disabilities, as well as working with locally based advocates to create new advocacy projects and to promote citizen participation and human rights for children and adults.

Job Description:

The intern will be responsible for providing support for MDRI’s development activities, in collaboration with and under the supervision of the Development Director and other MDRI staff. The intern will have the opportunity to learn how a small nonprofit development department operates and will receive training as needed to complete tasks described below. The intern will have the opportunity to develop special event skills, prospect research skills and grant writing skills.

Position Responsibilities:

- Enters and maintains data in the Gift Works fundraising database;
- Provides mailing support for special events and direct mail efforts;
- Provides editing of letters and proposals, as needed and based on skill set;
- Fosters and maintains excellent, professional working relations with staff and functions as part of a team;
- Conducts prospect research to identify corporate, foundation and individual donors; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

- Some administrative and office experience
- Interest in nonprofit organizations and fund raising
- Interest in disability rights, mental health, and human rights
- Strong oral, written and computer skills
- Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

Commitment:  Ideally, the intern will work two to three days per week, up to 15 hours per week (This is flexible based upon school commitments). Internships are unpaid.

How to apply:

To apply, please send cover letter (including availability) and resume to
James Howell at  jhowell@mdri.org.

Job posted on 26  Aug 2008.

Please mention Human Rights Jobs when applying for this position.