RSN INTERNSHIPS
RSN is always looking for a few good interns. For information on this opportunity, please email info@sourcingnetwork.org. RSN is seeking the following:
Minerals Intern
Position Summary
The Minerals Program for the Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) seeks an intern to assist with tracking corporate activities and managing a multi-stakeholder network. Recently, electronics companies have had an increased focus on how minerals used in their products have contributed to the current conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo), resulting in “conflict minerals.” As a result, a number of new initiatives have recently been developed by the NGO, industry, and government communities to address conflict minerals. The 14-year conflict in the Congo has taken more than five million lives and resulted in hundreds of thousands of rapes. We are now encouraging more corporate involvement to ensure they are not purchasing conflict minerals, are contributing to bringing peace to the region, and are supporting efforts to have certified conflict-free minerals being exported from the region.
Responsibilities
- Support collecting information on corporate actions relating to the Congo
- Assist in managing the multi-stakeholder minerals network
- Update database with corporate policies and actions
- Collect information on NGOs in the Congo and their activities
- Contribute to RSN blog
Qualifications
Candidates should:
- Be pursuing a graduate degree or an advanced undergraduate (junior or senior) in public policy, human/labor rights, government, or international law
- Have excellent research, analysis, writing, and communication skills
- Be comfortable reviewing documents and reports
- Be facile in internet research
- Be able to organize and prioritize work
- Have good organizational and time management skills, with an excellent attention to detail
- Be self-motivated, have a strong work ethic, and committed to excellence
- Be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and ideally Salesforce or other database system
- Interest in human rights, labor rights, and/or social issues
- Interest in corporate responsibility
Status
15-20 hours per week minimum; 2.5 to 3-month commitment; $200/month travel stipend plus school credit where available. We can be flexible about the start and end dates.
Location
The position will initially be on-site at the Responsible Sourcing Network/As You Sow offices in downtown Oakland, with eventual opportunity to work virtually.
Application
We encourage all applicants to review our website www.sourcingnetwork.org before applying. Send your resume and cover letter containing a brief memo to interns@asyousow.org by March
1st. Include “Minerals Initiative Intern” in the subject line of your email. We thank all applicants for your interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
COTTON INTERN
POSITION SUMMARY
The Cotton Program for the Responsible Sourcing Network seeks one intern to research the activities of brands and retailers to address forced labor in their supply chains. Each year, the government of Uzbekistan orders over one million children and adults to labor in the country’s cotton fields for three months, providing them little to no reimbursement for their work. In an effort to end this practice of systemic, government-led exploitation, over 130 of the world’s largest apparel brands and retailers have committed to avoiding Uzbek cotton. RSN requires a meticulous and avid researcher to compile information on exactly what brands and retailers have committed to, what they are doing to adhere to their commitments, and what they are doing to ensure the yarn and textile suppliers in their value chains are meeting their requirements.
Additionally, there are many home goods and apparel brands that have not yet made a commitment not to source Uzbek cotton. Part of the responsibilities will be encouraging them to sign a Company Pledge not to support forced child labor in Uzbek cotton fields.
Responsibilities:
- Track corporate policies and activities regarding forced and child labor
- Conduct primary research and verify data, which will be used in a published report
- Upload information in Salesforce database
- Encourage brands and retailers to sign the Company Pledge against forced child labor in Uzbekistan
Qualifications:
- Candidates should
- Be pursuing a graduate degree or an advanced undergraduate (junior or senior) in public policy, apparel/textile management, human rights, government, or international law
- Have excellent research, analysis, writing, and communication skills
- Be comfortable reviewing documents and technical reports
- Be able to organize and prioritize work
- Have good organizational and time management skills, with an excellent attention to detail
- Be self-motivated, have a strong work ethic, and committed to excellence
- Be proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite
- Be facile in internet research
- Interest in human rights, labor rights, and/or social issues
- Interest in corporate responsibility
- Experience with Salesforce or other database management ideal
Status
15-20 hours per week minimum; 2.5 to 3-month commitment; $200 stipend per month awarded and school credit available. We can be flexible about the start and end date.
Location
The position will initially be on-site at the As You Sow/Responsible Sourcing Network office in downtown Oakland, with eventual opportunity to work virtually.
Application
We encourage all applicants to review our website www.sourcingnetwork.org before applying. Send your resume and cover letter containing a brief memo of interest to
interns@asyousow.org no later than March 1st. Include “Cotton Initiative Intern” in the subject line of your email.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.