International Staff Internships
NOTE: There are NO current internship openings. This may change. Please check with Human Resources (dhoogvliets@crwrc.org) for more informaiton.
Have the thoughts of your career path been puzzling you lately? Are you highly motivated and feeling called to Christian service, but not quite sure how to accomplish your calling? Do you love to learn? Are you excited to see how God can work through you to help others? Are you flexible? Do you have a specific professional, agricultural, management and/or technical skills? Are you willing to be a servant to those in need? Are you willing to take leadership from those in need? Then CRWRC’s Internship Program is for you!
What is an International Staff Internship?
What does an International Staff Internship provide?
What are International Staff Internship Requirements?
How Can I Apply?
What is an International Staff Internship?
The International Staff Internship is a 24-month entry level position for young adults whose hope in God motivates them to learn and serve beyond their present realities. Each internship will provide an “apprentice” type of experience in Christian community development at a grassroots level. Interns will have a chance to live and work with local communities in different parts of the world. Most profoundly, an international staff internship equips young adults to impact their future, no matter where their life’s journey takes them.
International Staff Interns will assist local partner organizations and churches in carrying out effective and appropriate community evel projects in a variety of areas: agriculture (includes environmental projects), income generation, health (development of primary health care activities) and/or education (literacy work). In diaconal projects, interns may be involved in helping to train leaders of local churches. All of this work is done through collaborations with indigenous groups.
CRWRC has a limited number of openings each year in countries of East Africa, West Africa, Asia, and Latin America. (1)
International Staff Interns are under the supervision and mentorship of a CRWRC Program Consultant in the field. At the end of an intern’s term, they will be able to achieve measurable learning and community results.
What does an International Staff Internship Provide?
International Staff Interns are provided with the following package:
- A monthly stipend of $300USD or CAD
- Field Transportation and Housing
- A One-Time Outfitting Allowance of $1,000USD or CAD
- Educational Allowances of $2,500USD or CAD for each year of satisfactory performance
- (up to $5,000USD or CAD for two years) (2)
- Possible Deferment of Student Loans (3)
- Medical, Dental & Life Insurance
- 20 vacation days per year
- Career Counseling
- Language and Culture Training (up to three months)
- Transportation to and from the field where they serve
- Six Week Office and Field orientation
- Field supervisor(s) and mentor(s)
- On Field Training in Results Based Management (RBM)
- On Field Training in working with rural and/or urban communities
- Training and assistance in raising support
- On-going support from a regional team
- Debriefing
- Resettlement Allowance of $1,000 USD or CAD for each year of satisfactory performance
- (up to $2,000 USD or CAD for two years) upon return
What are International Staff Internship Requirements?
CRWRC Interns need to be:
- Committed Christians who work within their churches and local communities
- Good at relationship building
- Passion for learning
- Strong desire to serve others with humility
- Ability to deal with ambiguity and constant change in their surroundings
- Able to invite others (churches and individuals) into their ministry through building a network of
- prayer and financial support
- At least a college diploma in Canada, at least an associate’s degree in the USA, though a bachelor’s
- degree all around, in any discipline, is preferred (4)
- Cross-culturally experienced, having at least six months of overseas experience
- (four months of the experience should be continuous)
- Demonstrated interest in community development
- Undergoing a job readiness assessment and a background check which includes a criminal record check
How Can I Apply?
1. Download an Application Packet:
Go to www.crwrc.org or www.crcna.org and download an electronic application packet. If you experience difficulty downloading an application packet, you can also request an application packet by sending your name, current e-mail address, and telephone number(s) to the Canadian or United States CRWRC office (addresses are listed below).
2. Establish a Partnership with Your Local Church(s):
Talk with your pastor and/or missions committee at your local congregation(s) about a church recommendation. CRWRC sees each International Staff Intern as a missionary with a ministry calling from God. Therefore we feel it is important for each intern to be sponsored by his or her local church congregation(s). In order to apply, all applicants are required to have a church recommendation letter written by their pastor and/or head of the missions committee. This letter should include the answers to the following questions:
- How long has your congregation known the applicant?
- How has this applicant demonstrated their willingness to serve in their congregation and/or community?
- How does the applicant demonstrate ability in being both a “talker,” and/or one capable of good discussion and a “doer,” or one capable of putting words into action?
- Has the applicant demonstrated interest in issues related to poverty, social justice, community development and/or other related international development issues?
The letter should also detail the commitment by the church, to provide the following items, if the young adult they have recommended is selected for an internship: congregational prayer and letter of support; adequate time for the intern to address the congregation at end of their term, and consideration of workteam/volunteer opportunity for members of the congregation in the field assigned to the intern. (5)
3. Submit Application:
Individuals interested in an International Staff Internship should submit their electronic application with a letter(s) of recommendation by January 15, 2008. No applications after this date will be accepted.
CRWRC International Staff Internship Typical Application and Orientation Timeline:
NOTE: There are no current internship openings as of September 2009. This may change. Please check back regularly.
- January 15: Application Deadline
- January 15 to March 15: First and second interviews for qualified candidates
- April 15 or thereabouts: Selected candidates receive assigned field placement and job offer
- April 16 to May 30: CRWRC’s Ministry Partner Program will assist Interns in building a support base
- Dates To Be Determined: Orientation in CRWRC’s US/Canada Offices
- July 7 to July 15: Departure for assigned field placements
- Field End Date: Typically to April 30 of the 24 month period
- Deputation: Month of May of the 24 month period
- Vacation: Four weeks can be taken just before coming off field
Thank you for your interest in CRWRC International Staff Internships. If you would like more information, or if you have any questions, please feel free to contact our offices:
CRWRC- Human Resources Manager: Doreen Hoogvliets
Additional Notes:
*This internship is a modification of the Program HOPE! internship previously offered by CRWRC.
(1) Volunteer/Internship opportunities in North America are also available, but not through this program.
(2) Educational Allowances may only be used to pay off current student loans and/or put towards future educational programs. You will be required to provide the necessary documentation before funds are released. Educational allowances are given at the end of each 12 month period an intern serves.
(3) For information on whether your student loans can be deferred, please contact the lending institution for those details. CRWRC cannot defer your student loans, but can provide a letter to your lending institution with an outline of your internship.
(4) Applicants may apply for the program within six months of graduation.
(5) If you have been selected for an internship, you are required to submit an additional letter indicating the church’s annual commitment to your financial support ($2,000USD or more).
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