Internships Oxford Research Group offers graduate internships throughout the year. These internships are an ideal opportunity to gain valuable experience working for one of Britain's leading peace and security NGOs. Placements are open to recent graduates, though preference is given to those with a post-graduate degree or relevant experience.
ORG adheres to the Good Practice Guidelines for Ethical Internships drawn up by the Interns’ Network. Interns play an active role in all elements of ORG's work.
Each internship has a primary relationship to one of ORG's three programmes of work, and the intern will work closely with the management team of the relevant programme. Interns are also expected to assist across the whole range of ORG's activities, as needed, contributing to a variety of administrative tasks, from arranging meetings and responding to publication requests, to answering the phone and assisting other staff.
As the internship progresses, interns tend to take on greater specific areas of responsibility and autonomy. You will need to be highly organised, quick to learn and enthusiastic about the issues we work on. The more you put in, the more you will get out!
Over the course of the internship you will gain experience in such activities as event organisation, media work, publicity, fundraising and producing publications, as well as developing a better understanding of the issues we work on and the people involved.
Internship vacancies will be advertised on our website, and will include a job specification and application form. We do not accept unsolicited applications and CVs.
Placements are three days a week and are unpaid. However, expenses for travel and launch of up to £10 per day will be offered upon receipt. Previous interns have used this experience and the contacts made at ORG to gain employment in NGOs and government departments in the UK and abroad.
Experience of former interns:
Experienced interns are part of the vital fabric of ORG and enjoy a great deal of responsibility right from day one. During my internship I acted as day-to-day coordinator for one of ORG's flagship projects, wrote a chapter for a publication and completed several research projects - it certainly wasn't just about making cups of tea!
Taking an unpaid internship is a difficult decision, especially when times are tough and paid jobs in the 'peace sector' can be hard to come by. However, for those committed to the kind of world ORG wants to see, the experience and contacts, a stint at ORG provides are well worth the financial sacrifice - I've certainly drawn on my experiences at ORG during my subsequent professional life.
Tom Donnelly, currently UK Advocacy Coordinator, Saferworld
During a fantastic internship with ORG's Sustainable Security Programme I co-edited sustainablesecurity.org; played a key role in the exciting media release of an article written by ORG consultant Professor Rogers, which had truly global exposure; contributed to a written submission to the House of Commons Defence Select Committee and to programme funding applications, and I assisted with the organisation and delivery of a workshop on the potential to rethink the UK's defence policy.
I was encouraged by colleagues at all levels to contribute ideas, comments, and assistance in all areas of work, and I found the working atmosphere at the ORG office to be extremely welcoming and friendly, which was complemented by the organisation's healthy social life!
Ed Wilcox, currently Training and Consultancy Coordinator, British Institute of Human Rights