Internship opportunity – Coordination Assistant

Context 

As a global leader in human rights education, Equitas’ programs aim to empower people to address inequalities and discrimination, and to work to build more inclusive and rights-respecting communities. Considering the devastating impact on human rights that COVID-19 is creating, Equitas created Global Rights Connection, a virtual training program aimed at strengthening the capacity of organizations to implement human rights education activities (training sessions, advocacy or awareness, etc.), in order to contribute to the development of a global culture of human rights. The 11-week Global Rights Connection training program is not an ordinary online course, it is a collaborative community wherein participants connect with human rights defenders from around the world, and leave with a unique certification in human rights education. It also guides participants in developing an action plan to ensure that their learning is reflected in the activities they implement following the program. A series of fun and original activities, as well as plenary sessions with special guests, complement the content delivered in the various modules while promoting networking and collaboration among participants. 

As a Coordination Assistant, you will work in close collaboration with the Global Rights Connection team and report to the Global Rights Connection. You will support the coordination and implementation of the training program – including planning and providing support during events, communicating with and assisting participants with their participation in the course – and you will also have the chance to meet with human rights defenders and educators from all over the world. 

Primary duties and responsibilities

The intern’s responsibilities include various tasks related to managing and supporting an international event in a cross-cultural context. The intern will be involved in the following activities before, during and after Global Rights Connection. Under the supervision of the Global Rights Connection Program Officer, as part of the Global Rights Connection team, the intern will have the following responsibilities: 

• Event planning: creates guestlists, prepares and sends invitations, provides logistical support during online events with participants, Equitas’ facilitation team, speakers and other distinguished guests, gathers information on participant reaction and engagement during the events (events include conferences on various human rights related topics, cultural exchange events, program opening and closing ceremonies) 
• Drafts documents and forms for the program, as requested 
• Co-manages the Global Rights Connection e-mail address 
• Communicates with program participants on various matters, including:
  – Responding to general inquiries from participants
  – Coordinating the acceptance and confirmation of candidates accepted to the program
  – Following-up on participant fee payments (in tandem with the accounting team)
  – Conducting internet speed and language tests with participants
  – Following-up with participants on the implementation of their individual plan 
• Provides support on tasks related to digital security, including: research, scheduling appointments with participants, note-taking during meetings 
• Participates in weekly follow-ups with the program’s facilitation team 
• Manages participant information on Salesforce and Sharepoint (e.g. updating participants data, creating and extracting reports from Salesforce) 
• Prepares biographies of selected participants to be presented to donors. 
• Prepares and updates the interns’ manual 
• Any other task before, during and after Global Rights Connection, as required 

Required knowledge-base and competencies

• Strong interest in human rights, racial justice, gender equality, and international development. 
• Excellent coordination skills. 
• Experience in coordinating online events is an asset. 
• Excellent time management, high priority skills is required. 
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team. 
• Strong computer skills: Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 
• Excellent communication skills in English and French are important. Excellent writing skills in one of the two languages is required.  
• Experience working on a fast paced, high volume information environment is an asset. 
• Strong sense of responsibility and availability to work overtime occasionally is required.  
• Knowledge of Salesforce is an asset. 
• Sensitivity to cultural differences, courtesy and tact in communication. 

How to submit your application

All interested and qualified candidates should submit the following items to apply for this position:   

• A curriculum vitae 
• A cover letter that includes the following: 
  – Your interest in human rights education and social justice
  – Your experience in administration and coordination, including event coordination (include links to examples if relevant)
  – Your level of comfort learning and working with new technologies and platforms
  – What you would like to learn from this experience
  – What you would bring to this role 

Please send your CV and cover letter by email to Caroline Iliescu at pifdh-ihrtp@equitas.org. 

Candidates must have the legal right to work in Canada.  

Short-listed candidates will be invited to a virtual interview with Equitas.  

Given the nature of our work, we encourage applications from any candidates who have experienced marginalization, in particular, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ2I people, and people living with disabilities. Candidates who wish to do so may self-identify in their application.