CID Global Internship Program

1. International Development Workshop: Each year the program starts with an International Development Workshop taught by CID faculty and staff. The aim is to provide students with a fundamental toolkit of analytical and practical skills for international development, providing an overview of some current research questions for development economics and how the faculty approach these questions. Students learn about key current issues in international development and how to work with policy actors internationally. Students will also have a chance to meet their fellow interns, and build a cohort amongst themselves, forming a community we will cultivate throughout the internships. 
2. International Internship: CID connects with the host organization prior to matching interns to understand internship needs and ensure consistent standards about the work product. Together, CID and the host organizations draft internship descriptions to guide students and help with matchmaking. Students will have a field supervisor to help them use the tools learned in the workshop and connect with others in their summer internship cohort as they develop their interests and expertise in international development.  

1. Social Media Content: Interns will submit one social media post for CID’s Twitter and LinkedIn by July 15, 2025. In addition to the written text for the posts, interns should include a photo or short video that can be shared publicly. Interns will include all recommended tagging and hashtags. See a social media post from summer 2024 here.
2. Blog: Interns will submit a first-person narrative blog post by August 31, 2025, describing their experience. The blog should contain at least two photos and should focus on the impact of the summer work, a specific impactful challenge or moment, or how this experience will inform future studies and career. The blog post can be used on the CID website and promoted on CID’s social media channels. If students cannot share their work publicly, please let us know. The blog should not be longer than 750-1,000 words. See a blog from summer 2024 here.  
3. A Collection of High-Resolution Photos: Along with the blog, interns will submit 5-10 high-resolution photos of their internship that CID can use to share their work with supporters and future participants by August 31, 2025. 

Applications for Summer 2025 have closed. We will be in touch with those who applied as soon as possible!

Internships are either funded by the host organization, the Harvard Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS), or HKS students can apply for limited Harvard funding (either through HIDIF for MPA/ID students or SIF for all other HKS students). 

Students  may need to complete pre-departure requirements set forth by Harvard and may also have to complete additional documentation required by your host organization.   

Students will be responsible for booking their own travel and accommodations, as well as obtaining the necessary visa for travel. CID will be able to answer questions about this process.   

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 4 (undergraduate or graduate students)
Dates: minimum of 8 weeks, between June and August
Location: Bengaluru, India
Preferred Qualifications: Knowledge of any one Indian language may be an advantage though not essential. A deep passion to support development of underprivileged children will be an essential quality for the selected interns.

In your personal statement, please describe: Have you had any teaching experience? Have you developed any teaching learning material for school children? Have you been exposed to challenges of school children in remote areas and children who are economically disadvantaged? Awareness of modern thoughts and evolution in usage of technology in education.

Open to Harvard undergraduates and graduate students

Organization Description

With a mission to spark curiosity, nurture creativity and instill confidence and care amongst economically underprivileged children, Agastya runs the largest immersive experiential learning programs.

Founded in April 1999, Agastya International Foundation is a charitable education trust that runs one of the world's largest mobile hands-on science education programs for economically disadvantaged children and teachers. Through all its programs, Agastya has reached over 25 million children and 3,00,000 teachers in 24 states across India. By making practical, hands-on science education accessible to rural government schools, Agastya aims to transform the thinking of underprivileged children and teachers through its innovative and diverse programs which focus on STEAM related immersive learnings for children and teachers.

Agastya envisions a world of creators, tinkerers, solution seekers and leaders who are humane, anchored and connected.

Internship Responsibilities

The following projects are examples of what students worked on last summer. Agastya will be evolving the projects and can be explored based on the candidate's skillset and interests in alignment with Agastya’s vision and mission.

1. How to develop a good usage of technology and AI in developing a comprehensive impact analysis of Agastya programs

2. Study the alignment of Agastya programs with National Educational Policy – what are the strengths and what are the gaps.

Agastya expects the interns to identify and agree upon the deliverables by the end of the internship and submit them to intern managers. Agastya expects that they will be able to use the outcomes to strengthen or improve or enhance programs. For example the report submitted regarding the alignment of the programs with NEP provided insights into Agastya strengths and provided inputs to what new programs they may need to launch.

Agastya has an open work environment. Will be working with other staff members both in HQ and in outreach locations. Work will require interactions and collaboration with the staff members.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 5 (graduate students)
Dates: 8-12 weeks, between May and August
Location: Makati, Philippines (with a possible community visit)
Preferred Qualifications:  See internship responsibilities section below. In addition:

• Proficient in spoken and written English (knowledge of Filipino language a plus)
• Demonstrate an understanding of multi-stakeholder community development work
• Can be flexible and adaptable
• Excellent time management and strategic planning skills
• Able to work independently
• Good interpersonal skills
• Team player

In your personal statement, indicate interest in development work in the Philippines and how the internship could contribute to evidence-based problem-solving

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) envisions communities where people are creative, productive, self-reliant and proud to be Filipino. It is focused on three program pillars of Community Development, Leadership Development, and Arts and Culture, while also continuing to pursue a Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism platform for sustaining socio-civic action, and making a Big Bet on Education as its contribution to addressing the national learning crisis.

Internship Responsibilities

1. Improve the ease of doing business for cooperatives through process reengineering research and policy advocacy for regulatory simplification or regulatory alternatives for the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA)

• Graduate intern preferably taking a course on public policy or business administration, with knowledge and skills in the area of livelihood or enterprise development and business process optimization

2. Contribute to elevating the economic status of local artisans by developing a market study and enhancing the market positioning of high-quality products made by indigenous communities

• Graduate intern preferably taking up a business or marketing course, with skills in market research and a keen understanding of the market trends, especially on natural/handicraft products

3. Help AFI regularly assess the well-being changes of identified populations in community development programs by developing a methodology for an alternative measure, possibly akin to a multi-dimensional poverty index and/or (municipal-level) small area estimates, to strengthen work on monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL)

• Graduate intern preferably taking a course on statistics or economics, with advanced skills on econometrics

4. Develop alternative livelihood approaches within a Reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD+) initiative, led by Ayala Group’s for-profit nature-based solutions company

• Graduate intern preferably taking a course on public policy, business administration or economics, with project design and management skills in the area of livelihood or enterprise development; background on climate mitigation and adaptation would be a plus.

5. Strengthen foundational skills of children aged 3-5 to meet grade-level standards through curriculum analysis as well as policy research and advocacy for the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) Early Grades Program

• Graduate intern preferably taking a course related to early childhood education, education policy or public policy, with experience in curriculum design, policy analysis, and advocacy

Head office is located in Makati, Philippines. Interns have opportunities to engage with staff members or other interns. Depending on funding availability, interns may also do one or two site visits to interact with groups and communities that are relevant to the internship project and research work.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities:  1 (graduate or undergraduate student)
Dates: prefer 12 weeks starting in May or June
Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Preferred Qualifications: Third-year or fourth year undergraduate returning to Harvard in the fall or graduate student with at least one prior internship experience; Ability to work successfully as part of a team within a fast-paced, flat, start-up organizational structure; An intellectual interest or coursework in the Asia Pacific, public policy, or governance; long-term interest in working in the Asia Pacific preferred; Demonstrated excellence in writing and communication skills in both English and Mandarin Chinese; Coursework in international affairs, political science, economics, East Asian studies, or another field in the social sciences or humanities; Creativity, flexibility, and strategic thinking; Heritage speakers of Mandarin, or students who have invested time in studying Mandarin.

Please provide two writing samples in English or Chinese with your application.

Open to Harvard graduate or undergraduate students

Organization Description

CAPRI is a Taipei-based nongovernmental, nonpartisan organization that was established in 2022 to enhance global resilience and promote innovative policy by drawing on the experience of the Asia-Pacific region through comparative public policy research. CAPRI’s research is meant to provide informed and insightful policy analysis to governments, academic and business leaders, the media, civil society organizations, and the informed public. CAPRI is funded by some of Taiwan’s leading corporations and philanthropists. Its board of directors includes policy analysts as well as corporate and civic leaders from Europe, Taiwan, and the United States. CAPRI’s founder and chair Professor Syaru Shirley Lin, a former partner at Goldman Sachs, is a faculty member at the University of Virginia, Chinese University of Hong Kong, and National Chengchi University in Taiwan. CAPRI’s work is also guided by an International Advisory Council chaired by Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia.

Internship Responsibilities

CAPRI is looking for a student committed to driving policy impact and interdisciplinary dialogue in the Asia Pacific. As part of CAPRI, the intern will take on administrative, project coordination, communications and social media, and research support duties in accordance with CAPRI’s partnerships, research agenda, and operational needs. The intern will have opportunities to organize and attend various talks and discussions with experts on fields related to CAPRI’s interests and will join CAPRI’s team of globally minded individuals in developing and promoting Asia-Pacific perspectives on public policy and governance.

In addition to the above tasks, the intern’s main project will be an interview with an influential individual or thought leader on Asia-Pacific policy. The student will select the interviewee, design the interview questions, conduct the interview, and write a piece based on the interview to be published on CAPRI’s website.

The intern will:

• Work with a small team to carry out operational and administrative tasks
• Support the work of the research team in coordinating projects and conducting research
• Search for and summarize current events, news, and literature relevant to CAPRI’s research and convening
• Monitor and create content for CAPRI’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter accounts
• Assist CAPRI staff with the planning and logistics of independent and joint events

All full-time staff, fellows, and interns work in the Taipei office five days a week from 9am to 6pm, with 1 hour for lunch. Since the office is a collaborative environment, interns will interact and work with all members of our team. CAPRI hosts a number of guests in closed-door discussions and public events with partner organizations that the intern will be able to engage with.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities:  3 (Graduate or PhD students)  *this internship may come with funding 
Dates: minimum 8 weeks
Location: Atlanta, Ga (or remote location in the US)
Preferred Qualifications: PhD candidate strongly preferred. Alternatively, at least 1 year of Master of Public Health or Master of Development Practice education. Desired Technical Skills: Microsoft Office, database management, data analysis. Preference for experience with SharePoint. Preference for curious mind and laser sharp attention to detail. Language Skills: In addition to English, Spanish, or French preferred. Computer Skills: MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS PowerPoint, SharePoint, Word Press, SPSS, Stata, NVivo, and Dedoose

In your personal statement, please include: How do you approach bringing a variety of data from different data sources and methodologies together to provide insights into complex problems in the world? How do you handle questions where the answers—and even the paths to finding an answer—are not already laid out?

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

CARE supports a range of programs globally in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.  More than 1,033 programs in 100 countries implement CARE programs in the technical areas of Food and Nutrition Security, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, Water, Gender Justice, Education, Climate Change, Governance, and Humanitarian Response. We are looking for an intern to help with the exciting work of synthesizing the best of our learning and program work to continuously improve CARE’s programming, impact, and advocacy.

Internship Responsibilities

The Knowledge Management and Learning functional area includes synthesizing and compiling documentation and learning from across the network on key priority areas. It also involves supporting and maintaining our key online learning platforms to ensure that our content is curated and readily accessible to others.

Key focus areas for summer 2025 include:

• Supporting our ongoing thought leadership work, particularly on pieces related to localization, health systems, and food security.
• Doing robust data analysis, including regressions, data modelling, and verifying data quality, on both CARE and publicly available datasets (i.e.: from the World Bank or the UN)
• Assisting with our external engagement work as CARE aims to ramp up our presence in critical communities of influential practitioners.
• Supporting and maintaining our knowledge management and learning systems, including CARE’s evaluation library, our CARE Shares content, and our collaborations and communities of practice

1. Compiling lessons learned, stats, and figures from CARE’s Rapid Gender Analysis
2. Data-driven reports that provide new statistical insights into key questions on health workers, climate change, food security, and gender equality. Building statistical data models for our flagship reports (such as: https://www.care.org/news-and-stories/resources/growth-is-not-enough/)
3. Building and maintaining key knowledge management platforms, including regular updates of content on our existing CARE platforms such as the Electronic Evaluation Library (www.careeevaluations.org) and CARE’s website
4. Creating project briefs based on program evaluations and existing technical content
5. Supporting summaries of existing evidence and best practices; researching stats for talking points and presentations
6. Creating key knowledge products such as reports, social media posts, websites, and position papers.
7. Assist with other assigned duties as assigned

Availability of office resources depends on working arrangements that are necessary (in-person versus remote). Access to workspace, email account, office supplies, and access to printer.

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities:  2 (graduate students) *this internship comes with funding 
Dates: minimum 8 weeks, starting beginning of June
Location: Monterrey, Nuevo León. México
Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience and Knowledge:

• Basic knowledge of statistics (data collection, classification, organization, analysis, and interpretation).
• Proficiency in data processing techniques using R, Excel, or Stata.
• Excellent command of Microsoft Office tools.

Attitudes

• Determination and commitment to achieving the organization’s objectives.
• Positive and perseverant attitude: dynamism, enthusiasm, drive, creativity, and initiative.
• Honesty, responsibility, autonomy, and integrity.
• Adherence to regulations and standards.
• Time management and timely completion of tasks.

Skills

• Excellent analytical skills and data management (quantitative and qualitative methods).
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to create effective executive presentations.
• Ability to identify the needs of different stakeholders.
• Self-awareness and adaptability.
• Initiative.
• Problem-solving.
• Teamwork.

Languages: English or Spanish

In your personal statement please  include: What personal or professional strengths will you bring to this internship, and how do you think they will contribute to your success in this role? What challenges do you anticipate facing during this internship, and how do you plan to overcome them?

Interns will undergo a two-step selection process. First, they will participate in an interview. After the interview, candidates will complete an assessment exercise, which is designed to evaluate their skills and knowledge relevant to the internship position. Based on the results of both the interview and the exercise, two candidates will be selected.

The interns will go through an onboarding process which can be done remotely or during their first week in the position. 

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

Consejo Nuevo León is a cross-administrative, non-partisan, advisory, and propositional body of the State, focused on strategic planning and its evaluation. It is composed of 16 members with voice and vote, as well as a technical secretary and a dedicated team. Additionally, over 180 citizens volunteer in order to share their knowledge and expertise towards collaborating with government in designing better policy-decisions.

This organization is supported by the Strategic Planning Law of the State of Nuevo León and its corresponding regulations, with the aim of establishing the strategic planning process to pursue the sustainable development of the state. Consejo Nuevo León was formally established on September 29, 2014.

In accordance with the applicable legislation, these are the responsibilities and mandates of Consejo Nuevo León for Strategic Planning:

• Develop the State’s Long Term Strategic Plan.
• Promote a culture of integrity in medium- and long-term planning, performance measurement, and accountability.
• Outline strategies and public policies to focus the efforts of different societal sectors on achieving the set objectives and goals.
• Establish criteria for the development of quantifiable indicators in the economic, social, environmental, and other relevant fields, with the purpose of measuring and evaluating progress toward achieving the objectives and goals of both the Strategic Plan and the State Development Plan.
• Communicate to the public the objectives of the Strategic Plan and the State Plan, their indicators, and progress toward their goals.
• Promote dialogue and agreements with the three levels of government, businesses, social organizations, and educational institutions to jointly carry out actions aimed at achieving the established objectives.
• Monitor progress related to strategic projects and priority programs, as well as the evolution of the state's economic and social development indicators.
• Prepare a long-term forecast regarding the evolution of revenues, current expenditures, investments, and debt of the State Government to establish a reference framework for the Strategic Plan's objectives.

Internship Responsibilities

Consejo Nuevo León is open to having research on the following topics:

• Digital transformation for the public sector
• Policy  innovation methodologies for subnational governments
• Affordable housing policies for metropolitan areas (over 5 million inhabitants)

All our research is meant to be applied in the state government of Nuevo Leon and will be able to be designed and built with the participation of local officials and local policy analysts.

The intern would be responsible of providing the following deliverables:

• Methodology selection
• Conceptual framework
• Policy analysis
• Policy proposal
• Monitoring framework for the policy (optional)

The organization offers a positive work environment, supported by a team of experts in various fields and an analysis and evaluation department that provides support to all coordination areas. Due to the nature of the organization, there is significant interaction between the various thematic coordination areas. The team is approachable, flexible, and highly collaborative, fostering teamwork and a supportive atmosphere.

Moreover, Consejo Nuevo Leon provides interns with the opportunity to witness how a subnational government operates closely due to the collaborative nature the institution has. Each of our 9 working commissions is led by a strategic partnership between a highly-renowned citizen and a state Secretary which means we bring together the best knowledge coming from the academic, private and social sphere in order to strengthen local government. 

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 1 (graduate student) 
Dates: 8 weeks, preferred start date in July if possible but other dates available 
Location:  Barranquilla, Colombia (Headquarters), Cartagena, Colombia (Satellite office), Bogotá, Colombia (Satellite office) 
Preferred Qualifications: 

The ideal candidate should have experience working with diverse types of quantitative and qualitative data, including the ability to analyze, interpret and present findings effectively. Strong communication skills and the capacity to engage with local communities are essential for the success of this project, therefore knowledge of Spanish language is essential, as the intern will be directly interacting with community members and collaborating with Fundación´s Team.

Given that the intern will be working within the Department of Habitat and Urban Development, we encourage applications from students with a background interest in Urban Development, sustainable urban planning, or related fields. Addressing urban challenges and contributing to inclusive, community-centered projects.

In your personal statement, please note the following: Fundación Santo Domingo´s Department of Habitat and Urban Development adopts a holistic approach, combining the construction of housing and public infrastructure with the implementation of diverse social programs. This integrated strategy aims to provide communities with a robust base for pursuing their life projects. Therefore, we would like to know: 1. What motivates you to work with vulnerable communities in Colombia, and how do you envision contributing to their development? 2. Describe how your academic background or experience in working within developing context? 3. How can urban infrastructure serve as a catalyst for social development and community growth? 

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

The Fundación Santo Domingo leads high-impact projects for social transformation in the country through 4 main areas: education, health, environment and urban development. With more than 200 employees and a wide spectrum of action, the Fundación Santo Domingo is one of the leading social institutions in Colombia. Along its 60 years history, the Fundación has implemented numerous social projects with a special focus in the Caribbean region and more specifically in the cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena. It has also collaborated with the national government and led the introduction of substantial reforms in the sectors of education and environment. Besides its focus on education, health, and environment, the Fundación leads an innovative approach to Urban Development, in which the construction of housing and infrastructure is acompassed with the implementation of social programs that aim to provide a solid platform for people to thrive.

The Fundación Santo Domingo’s Department of Habitat and Urban Development focuses on designing and building sustainable urban environments that provide infrastructure and services that promote the communities’ social and economic prosperity. The Fundación leads the development of two masterplans in the cities of Barranquilla and Cartagena, with the potential of building more than 60.000 homes and 740.000 m² of public space. Alongside of the construction of housing and public infrastructure, Fundación Santo Domingo implements numerous social programs with an emphasis on education, healthcare, environment, and community development. To date, the two masterplans are home to more than 45.000 people. Although these communities belong to low-income levels, in the masterplans they find a solid platform with guaranteed access to public services and quality infrastructure to develop their life projects. The Fundación also supports the consolidation of grassroots organizations promotes local economic development and employment opportunities for the masterplan’s residents. 

Internship Responsibilities

For over 10 years, Fundación Santo Domingo has been advancing masterplans designed to drive large-scale urban development. During this period, more than 11,000 homes have been constructed, housing over 45,000 people. Critical to these efforts has been the establishment of over 16 public facilities, including schools, hospitals, parks, and cultural centers, all of which provide essential services to the community. These developments highlight the vital role that well-planned and implemented infrastructure and equipment play in the success of macroprojects.

To sustain and enhance these efforts, Fundación aims to leverage data collected through various tools and formats to refine decision-making and improve project outcomes. A central goal is to analyze this data to identify gaps and opportunities in the development and implementation of key infrastructure, ensuring that future projects not only meet the immediate needs of communities but also foster long-term growth and prosperity.

Interns will play a pivotal role in this process. In the first phase of the project, they will analyze the Fundación's Masterplans, including the tools and methodologies used to gather and process data, with a particular emphasis on identifying equipment and facilities that are critical for successful project execution. The second phase will provide interns with hands-on experience working alongside the Fundación’s team on the ground, shaping recommendations for existing projects and developing a strategy for non-residential real estate development that focuses on the planning primarily for commercial and industrial purposes. The approach that should be structured around a detailed analysis of urban regulations, market trends and the identification of key stakeholders, such a potential partners, investment funds, and other relevant actors.

The summer project will also offer students the opportunity to gather new data, as needed, and to collaborate on designing innovative solutions to improve the performance and impact of existing facilities. By providing insights into policies and strategies to optimize equipment allocation and infrastructure development, interns will contribute to unlocking municipal growth potential.

For the summer of 2025, the Fundación is placing special focus on initiatives that align infrastructure development with:

• Employment and local economic development.
• Community development.
• Access to housing and sustainable urban environments.

Phase 1: Data Collection and Analysis

• Collaborate with the Fundación’s Department of Urban Development and Analytics team to collect and analyze data from the Fundación’s existing repositories, as well as public and private sources relevant to the development of infrastructure and equipment for masterplans.
• Organize and process data collected from various formats and tools, ensuring it is usable and actionable for the next phase of the project.
  1. Develop a deliverable that includes: A comprehensive analysis of the collected data.
  2. Key insights and takeaway points that inform recommendations for improving existing infrastructure and planning new developments.
  3. Suggestions for more effective methods of data collection and management to enhance future decision-making.

Phase 2: Strategic Planning and Development Feasibility

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of urban regulations and market trends in Barranquilla and Cartagena to identify viable opportunities for commercial and industrial real estate.
• Identify and engage key stakeholders, including potential partners, investment funds and relevant public or private entities, to secure financial resources, expertise and strategic collaboration for project development and execution.
• Develop a structured implementation plan that optimizes financial performance, mitigates risks and delivers value, while leveraging incentives, infrastructure opportunities and strategies.

The intern will collaborate closely with Fundación Santo Domingo´s Department of Habitat and Urban Development, a multidisciplinary team that includes architects, engineers, economists and social workers. Fundación´s headquarter is located in Barranquilla, a promissory city in the Caribbean coast of Colombia, where the intern will be based. Frequent visits to the satellite offices in the masterplans of Barranquilla and Cartagena will be required, ensuring direct engagement with ongoing projects. Additionally, if needed, the intern may attend meetings at Fundación´s offices in Bogota.  

Throughout the internship, the intern will work closely with Fundación Team, who will provide continuous guidance and support for the development of this project. Participation in activities conducted within the masterplans will be integral to the role, enabling the intern to gain a deeper understanding of the community´s needs and challenges.

While supported by Fundación Santo Domingo´s team, the intern is expected to demonstrate autonomy and initiative in carrying out their responsibilities and contributing to project outcomes. 

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 4 (undergraduate students)
Dates: 8 weeks, between late June and August
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
Preferred Qualifications: Interns are expected to have a background in economics or a related subject. Skills in quantitative analysis are desirable. Soft skills such as being adaptable to new environments and being able to work in teams are also desirable.

In your personal statement, please describe your specific interest to work in Indonesia which would be very helpful in order for IBER to understand which organization/institution and supervisor to assign to interns.

Open to Harvard undergraduate students

Organization Description

Launched on January 26, 2018 in Jakarta, Indonesia Bureau of Economic Research (IBER) is a consortium of several faculties of economics and business of top Indonesian state universities and research centres. Inspired by a view of a platform of economist research network for Indonesia, IBER wishes to support quality research in economics for publication in national and international journals by providing intellectual input through high-level professional engagement; building capacity for younger economists; and building a platform to contribute to evidence- based public analysis of key issues for Indonesia and objective policy input.

Internship Responsibilities:

An intern’s summer project will aim to connect to the research interests that they have stated within their Personal Statement. IBER will strive to link interns and assign supervisors who are working closely on the topics interns are most passionate for. Past projects include gender disparities in Indonesia, poverty alleviation and social protection, trade relations in Asia and ASEAN, healthcare in Indonesia, BUMDES (Village Development Agencies) in Indonesia, effects of down streaming and effects of the mining industry in Indonesia on local welfare, among other topics.

Intern’s responsibilities include: Committing to the internship for the full duration, a minimum of 8 weeks; Fulfilling the obligations of the internship to the best of their ability; Completing all internship-related requirements before, during, and after the internship; Completing a post-internship evaluation and feedback on the internship and internship program.

List of possible duties (will depend on particularly project intern will join): Literature reviews on topics/ policies of interest; Statistical analysis of survey data (requires basic skills in statistical analysis, the use of statistical software such as Stata. Interns will be able to ask for guidance and advicefrom their supervisors on this); Possible interviews with stakeholders (if interns join a project with government stakeholder or community leaders, they might be required to join in interviews and/or FGDs); Writing up an internship report (this could be in short paper form, i.e., 1,500-2,000 words) or presented in a power point presentation.

The main deliverable for the internship would be the intern’s final report presented to IBER Directors and their supervisors. This will be arranged at the end of their internship.

The IBER office is located in the Universitas Indonesia (UI) Salemba Campus, Jakarta, close to LPEM office and several Applied Masters programs. The main campus, at UI Depok, can be reached by train for about 30 minutes or by taxi for about 60-75 minutes. Interns can get involved with the mentors and other research assistants at IBER as well as at LPEM FEB UI. They are also welcome to join certain classes and to get involved with workshop/seminars held in Salemba and/or Depok Campuses. 

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 1 (undergraduate student)
Dates: 8 weeks, preferred start in May
Location: Rabat, Morocco
Preferred Qualifications: Education: Major in economics, public policy, or a closely related field including training in empirical research methods is required; Communication: Excellent writing skills.; Languages: In addition to fluency in English, working proficiency in French is a strong plus; Experience and interest: Strong interest in international development or public/social policy demonstrated through coursework, study abroad, or previous internship experience; Openness: Excited to learn and enthusiastic about taking on a broad range of assignments.

Open to Harvard undergraduate students

Organization Description

The Morocco Innovation and Evaluation Lab (MEL) is a joint collaboration between the University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P), the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Harvard Center for International Development (CID) that aims to foster development in Morocco by using scientific evidence to inform decisions, translating research into action.

To help decision makers find better solutions, MEL works closely with public, private, NGO, and philanthropic organizations in Morocco. We conduct research to understand what works and share our findings to inform decisions that improve people's lives.

The foundation of MEL’s research approach is the randomized evaluation: a methodology that randomly selects program and comparison groups, implements the program, and compares outcomes across groups to identify causal impacts.

Internship Responsibilities

The MEL is hosting its (re)launch conference during the summer of 2025. Initially set to take place in 2024, the event was deferred by a year.

The intern’s main work will focus on supporting the organization of this high-level policy conference.

Specific tasks will likely include:

• Desk research to prepare the content of panels.
• Communications: Assist in the drafting and preparation of materials for MEL’s outreach work, including content for presentations and social media. Additionally, the intern will contribute to the preparation of invitations and outreach efforts towards event participants.
• Policy writing: Write notes that translate research into lessons for policymakers in different
• policy sectors such as labor, education, agriculture or social protection.
• Stakeholder engagement: Participate in initial conversations with prospective partners to identify promising opportunities for randomized evaluations or evidence dissemination activities. Support and attend convenings designed to bring policymakers, practitioners, and researchers together to spur new research or scale-up collaborations and share policy lessons from completed research.

The MEL team works in a hybrid format with three days a week in the office and two days remote work (from within Rabat). Interns will get to interact with the team, including other interns and associates in a modern open office space.

The MEL office is located on a modern and dynamic university campus which offers access to a wide range of facilities including a cafeteria and gym as well as university-sponsored events (e.g. panel talks and lectures).

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 3 (undergraduate students)
Dates: 8-10 weeks, starting in June
Location: Bangkok, Thailand
Preferred Qualifications: Students should have taken courses in Economics/Econometrics; Students should have good quantitative and analytical skills as well as good communication and writing skills; Advanced background in econometrics/data science and/or experience of in data analytics and doing research with big data would be a plus; Have interest in the application of behavioral economics/experience in running experiment/RCT would also be a plus; Students should be a team player, be able to work independently; Knowledge of the Thai language would be a plus.

In your personal statement, please include relevant skills and experiences you will bring or contribute to internship at PIER

Open to Harvard undergraduate students

Organization Description

The Bank of Thailand (BOT) has founded the Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research (PIER) to foster economic research, provide a centralized platform for disseminating high-quality research, and connect researchers with necessary resources. PIER is a quasi-independent institution governed by a board composed of senior BOT officials and distinguished external members.

PIER’s mission is to produce, coordinate, and maximize the impact of research as follows:

Produce in-depth research and support BOT’s conduct of policy in the areas of economics and related fields.

Coordinate research and foster academic collaboration by strengthening research networks and pooling resources such as knowledge, data, seminars, and research funding together.

Disseminate research and synthesize key findings to the public to raise the prominence of research among policymakers and society at large.

Internship Responsibilities:

The interns will be assigned to work in one of the four research projects.

Project I The climate and credit risks project: This project entails the research on the integration of climate risks into the credit risk model. Exposure to climate risks, especially flooding and droughts, can affect the earnings of the borrowers and consequently affect their ability to repay their debts. This project requires the utilization of two main datasets, i.e., the granular agricultural loan data from the Bank of Agriculture and Cooperative, and the downscaled climate data for Thailand. The possible scopes of work may include 1) conducting a comprehensive and detailed review of literature on the impacts of climate on credit risks, 2) preparing and linking data from the relevant datasets for analysis,     3) using statistical and/or other quantitative techniques to analyze the impacts of climate risks on the probability of default or repayment, and 4) writing up the results in the form of short paper or final report and giving presentation to PIER staffs.

Project II The farmer debt intervention project: This is a long-term collaborative project that works with the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives to design and test various sustainable debt solutions to Thai farmers nationwide. The ongoing activities involve 1) analyzing Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) to test interventions that nudge farmers to repay loans as well as multi-dimensional interventions for sustainable debt solutions to farmers, 2) using big data to construct farmer’s credit score and to better understand their credit risk, 3) understanding the landscape of rural financial institutions and markets.

Project III The household finance project: We have several administrative data that can be used to reflect financial health, and welfare of Thai households such as 1) loan account data from the National Credit Bureau 2) deposit account data from Deposit Protection Agency merged with the loan data at individual level, 3) transaction data of electronic payments from 5 largest banks. Several research questions can be explored with these data such as assessing impacts of financial system policies, constructing household balance sheet, assessing impacts of fraud.

Project IV The lending practices, information nudges and trust project: we work with non-banks to design a natural experiment that test potential impacts of ‘readable loan contract’ on borrower’s trust, which could potentially lead to better and more responsible borrowing. The research will gather multifaceted trust measures from representative borrowers of various non-banks in the field in Q1/2025.

Additionally, the interns will get to experience “Central Banking” through a program designed specifically for them which will include:  

1)  hearing from various departments (e.g., Monetary Policy Group, Financial Markets Group, Financial Institutions Policy Group)  within the Bank regarding central bank work and

2)  spending time working or visiting Bank of Thailand’s regional offices for roughly 1 weeks

Duties undertaken by the intern will be those expected of a research assistant namely: Conducting literature review and summarizing research findings; Analysis of data and preparation of presentation materials; Presentation of research/findings at weekly update sessions; Writing of short paper or final report based on the research findings.

The Puey Institute for Economic Research has a co-working area as well as individual desks where the student would be able to work and interact with other PIER colleagues. The student will also be able to participate and see Bank of Thailand activities as the office is located on the Bank of Thailand premises. Other facilities include a canteen, fitness, badminton court, library, and coffee shops. The compound is located next to the Chaopraya River near the historic center of Bangkok. 

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 1 (graduate student)
Dates: Flexible between late May/ early June to August, 8 weeks
Location: Remote and/or Washington, D.C. (US Headquarters)
Preferred Qualifications: Advanced statistical knowledge, including familiarity with or interest in learning factor analysis, item response theory, logistic regression, reliability and validity testing, etc; Expertise in education programming and/or measuring child level learning outcomes; Proficient in Stata or R; Interested in learning new methods; Professional proficiency in spoken and written English; Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office suite; Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals and teams; Demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment of diversity, inclusion, and belonging.Successful applicants will be background checked and oriented to Save the Children’s child safeguarding policies. There will be a brief onboarding process followed by weekly meetings and mentoring.

In your personal statement, please describe: how has your coursework and past experience led to your interest in working in global education? After reviewing the job description for this role, where do you believe you’d exhibit strength? What areas will be more of a learning opportunity for you?

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.

Save the Children’s Department of Education and Child Protection (DECP) in the International Programs (IP) division is committed to ensuring evidence-based solutions address the underlying causes of marginalization in education and developing insights into the inhibiting factors for child protection. The Research, Evidence and Learning (REL) team in DECP are a team of applied researchers and knowledge professionals that collaboratively generate and disseminate research in education and child protection that bridges the humanitarian and development nexus. We support program colleagues with evidence to inform high-quality programs. The evidence we generate and share drives thought leadership and advocacy in the education and child protection sectors. We are seeking an intern to support the REL team to review and revise learning evaluation toolkits that measure a variety of programs, projects, and special initiatives.

Internship Responsibilities:

The Research, Evidence, and Learning Intern will assist in generating evidence and applying research to education programs. The role offers the opportunity to combine data analysis and its application into real world development problems. The Research, Evidence, and Learning Intern will work closely with the Advisors, Lead Advisors, and Managing Director of the Research, Evidence, and Learning team to provide support in data management, data analysis and training materials of data collection tools.

The internship will focus on strengthening the evidence base and developing a proof of concept for adaptive learning assessments in low resource environments, including conducting research, analyzing primary data from past assessments, developing guidance, workplans and budgets to support practitioners to use adaptive learning assessments.

Deliverables:

• Literature review about adaptive assessment in low resource environments, focusing on how adaptive assessments have been used, case studies, etc.
• Review existing data, sort, clean and begin analysis in Stata or R
• Develop guidance document on how practitioners in low resource environments can use manual and automated adaptive assessments
• Develop workplan for implementing an adaptive assessment
• Draft sample budget of costing use of adaptive assessments
• Support other special projects and initiatives related to learning evaluation.

Remote or DC-based. All interns will participate in the Research, Evidence and Learning Team’s weekly meetings and may join other meetings as they are interested. Interns will be supported in identifying staff for informational interviews and mentoring based on their interests.

• Meaningful work under the direct supervision of an experienced Save the Children staff member
• Highly collaborative and innovative team
• Flexible schedule
• Remote opportunity
• The knowledge that your internship is changing the lives of children all around the world

Internship Details

Internship Opportunities: 1 (undergraduate (soph/juniors) or graduate students)
Dates: 8 weeks minimum, start date in June
Location: Bangkok, Thailand 
Preferred Qualifications: Academic Background: Field of Study- Pursuing in Economics, Energy Policy, Environmental Science,  Public Policy or related fields. Level of Study- Undergraduate (final year) or graduate-level student. Technical and Analytical Skills - Strong skills in research and data analysis, including familiarity with tools like Excel, SPSS, or similar platforms. Ability to interpret and synthesize policy documents and reports. Knowledge of renewable energy systems (e.g., solar, wind, and battery technologies) or energy market structures. Communication and Collaboration-  Excellent written and verbal communication skills to prepare reports, policy briefs, and presentations. Ability to engage effectively with stakeholders and team members. Experience in organizing or contributing to workshops and meetings. Knowledge and Awareness - A willingness to learn quickly. Understanding of international sustainability frameworks, such as the Paris Agreement or Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Software Proficiency - Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with research or data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, GIS tools, or Stata) is an advantage. Personal Attributes - Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Self-motivated and capable of working independently under guidance. Adaptable and resourceful in managing diverse project requirements.

Open to Harvard graduate or undergraduate students

Organization Description

The Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) was established as a public policy research institute in 1984. Its legal form is that of a private non-profit foundation. It provides technical analysis (mostly but not entirely in economic areas) to various public agencies to help formulate policies to support long-term economic and social development in Thailand.

In line with this central objective, it is mandated to:

• Conduct policy research;
• Network extensively with other institutions and individuals engaged in policy research, both in Thailand and abroad; and
• Disseminate its research results to ensure maximum impact on policy-making

Energy Policy team at TDRI

We work diligently to create a roadmap that leads the development of energy policies for fostering sustainable changes in the country. Working at TDRI, we can blend academic expertise and experiences to generating opportunities and addressing challenges in developing policies that align with societal needs.

Internship Responsibilities:

The project scope centers on the accelerated energy transition in Thailand to bolster economic competitiveness. Below is a summary:

Core Focus

1. Transition to Renewable Energy (RE):
   • Address Thailand’s dependency on imported natural gas and low RE adoption rate.
   • Mitigate risks associated with the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on exports.
   • Propose policies to incentivize RE investments and market liberalization.
2. Strategic Goals (1–3 Years):
   • Develop coalitions with key stakeholders (e.g., Siam Cement Group, RE100) to drive policy advocacy and implementation.
   • Enhance energy security by stabilizing energy prices and reducing import reliance.
   • Promote RE infrastructure, such as smart grids and battery storage, aligning with international standards.
   • Restructure the electricity market by reforming the Enhanced Single Buyer (ESB) model.
3. Policy Reform and Governance:
   • Advocate for streamlining and transparency in governance structures like the ENCON Fund.
   • Develop case studies and adopt best practices from international markets for electricity market liberalization.
4. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Collaborate with public and private entities, policymakers, and think tanks to ensure cohesive efforts.
5. Capacity Building:
   • Conduct workshops and dialogues with industry leaders and investors.
   • Build foundational knowledge and advocacy for energy market reform.

Deliverables

• Policy briefs and recommendations.
• Coalition establishment with measurable progress (meetings, formal commitments).
• Reports on RE infrastructure evaluation and adoption feasibility.
• Actionable TPA rollout plans and governance reforms for sustainable energy.

Anticipated Duties for the Intern

The intern will likely undertake the following duties based on the project's objectives and action plan:

1. Research and Data Collection:
   • Analyze case studies from countries with successful renewable energy transitions.
   • Support stakeholder surveys and interviews to evaluate policy and market impacts.
2. Stakeholder Engagement:
   • Assist in coordinating meetings and workshops with coalition members (e.g., Siam Cement Group, RE100).
   • Document key discussions and outcomes from stakeholder interactions.
3. Policy Review and Analysis:
   • Help review current energy policies and governance frameworks, including the ENCON Fund.
   • Contribute to the assessment of gaps in renewable energy infrastructure and market liberalization efforts.
4. Support for Deliverables Development:
   • Draft sections of reports, policy briefs, and presentations for stakeholder dissemination.
   • Assist in creating advocacy and informational materials for the coalition.
5. Administrative Support:
   • Maintain an organized repository of research materials, meeting notes, and drafts.
   • Track project timelines and ensure deliverable deadlines are met.

Deliverables Produced by the Intern

1. Research Outputs:
   • Data summaries, charts, and infographics highlighting key metrics and trends.
   • Compiled case studies and comparative analyses.
2. Documentation:
   • Meeting notes and summaries of stakeholder engagements.
   • Log of identified policy gaps and actionable recommendations.
3. Draft Reports:
   • Contributions to interim and final project reports.
   • First drafts of policy briefs and evidence-based recommendations.
4. Presentation Materials:
   • PowerPoint decks and visual aids for workshops and advocacy events.
5. Organizational Support:
   • Updated project timeline and task progress tracker.
   • Comprehensive documentation of resources and project references.

Intern will be engaged mainly with Energy policy, Macroeconomic team and Sustainability team. Will need to write a report on the challenges of energy transition and how to win. Work in office 3 days a week and Remote 2 days.

Internship Details

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 

Internship Opportunities: 3-5 (graduate or PhD students)
Dates: 12 weeks.  The start date depends on the location and nature of the assignment. However, preferable to aim for a May /early June start date.
Location: Paris Headquarters, one of the UNESCO Regional offices, or a UNESCO field office.
Preferred Qualifications:  Masters’ or PhD students at Harvard, In addition to an excellent knowledge (spoken and written) of English, another United Nations official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish) may be a requirement depending on the location of the internship. Language requirements or preferences will be communicated based on the specificities of the proposed assignments. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of the work of the United Nations, and of UNESCO in particular. Candidates should have an understanding of working in a highly multi-cultural environment. Candidates should demonstrate alignment with the four core values and abilities in the seven core competencies of the  UNESCO Competency Framework which articulates standards of behaviours and performance for the Organization.

In your personal statement, please include: The elements that would be of most interest to UNESCO are the skills applicants will bring to the position and any examples of international or multi-cultural experience, in particular experience within the United Nations system. We also request that applicants complete the simple application form at this link  to allow for ease of identifying key information.

Selected candidates will be a requirement to apply through the UNESCO internship application system. At that stage it will be a formality only, but is essential for the administrative aspects.  Before travelling to take up the internship, interns will be required to complete the UNDSS BSafe self-paced e-learning training. On joining the Organization, interns are also obliged to complete self-paced e-learnings which are mandatory for all staff, on topics such as Ethics and cyber-security.    

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. UNESCO promotes knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other’s lives. UNESCO’s programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. 

Internship Responsibilities:

Projects are being identified and further details will be communicated at a later stage in the process. Internship assignments within UNESCO are varied and may include assisting in and contributing to any of the following:

• carrying out research and compiling background information
• analysing and presenting data
• implementing projects or programmes
• monitoring & evaluating projects and programmes
• drafting communications for internal and/or external stakeholders
• organising events, workshops, training sessions and conferences

Depending on the nature of the programme/project, the duties may include:

• Contributing to the preparation of documents, reports, work plans and communication content including briefings, project documents, talking points, speeches and online content.
• Assisting in conducting research, and drafting and preparing materials pertaining to the implementation of UNESCO’s programmes and projects.
• Sourcing, compiling, analysing and presenting data.
• Assisting with the planning and implementation of meetings, training workshops, events, webinars and conferences organized by UNESCO for internal and/or external participants.
• Assisting in building and maintaining working relationships with other entities within UNESCO, the UN system, and with donors and partners outside the Organization.

The office and work environment depends on the duty station - whether Headquarters or a field office, and the location of the office.  There will always be opportunities for interns to engage with other UNESCO employees, including other interns.

At the level of the immediate team, interns will be included where possible in formal and informal meetings in order to enhance the richness of the internship.

Interns will be also be invited to participate in regular online Brown Bag Lunches and learning & development initiatives for colleagues across the Organization. They are given access to the UNESCO learning and development platform, with Organizational-specific materials for self-paced learning. 

Internship Details

UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP)

Internship Opportunities: 2 (graduate students)
Dates: 8-12 weeks (preference for 12)
Location: Paris, France
Preferred Qualifications:  Excellent knowledge of English; good knowledge of French or Spanish an asset; Good writing and analytical skills; Mastering of Microsoft Office programme; Ability to work independently; Experience in website content management an asset

Open to Harvard graduate students

Organization Description

As the only specialized organization with the mandate to support educational policy, planning and management, IIEP plays a unique role within the United Nations system. It was established in 1963 as an integral part of UNESCO. The Institute is fully aligned with the objectives of the Organization and contributes to its education planning. It develops the capacities of education actors to plan and manage their systems through its programmes of training, technical assistance, policy research and knowledge sharing.

IIEP has a long tradition of producing and sharing actionable research, evidence, and knowledge products in educational planning and management for policymakers, planners, and other education actors. Its accessible research and knowledge drives decision-making for transforming education by strengthening links between research and planning processes, and between plans and their implementation.

IIEP’s research agenda is guided and enriched by its expertise in six key areas that are central to the Education 2030 Agenda for inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all, i.e.:

• Planning and management to improve learning
• Planning and management for equity, gender equality and inclusion in education
• Promoting good governance and transparency in educational management and financing
• Enhancing digital technology to transform education
• Planning and management for crises, climate change, and natural hazards
• Ensuring skills for the future and the transition to work

For more details, see: Our six priorities | International Institute for Educational Planning

Internship Responsibilities:

The intern will have the opportunity to support the research and capacity-building work of IIEP on one of the two following major topics, namely: (i) the use of new digital tools (including AI) to renew planning and management techniques; (ii) transformative higher education policies. In addition, he/she will contribute to the development of a new international Observatory dedicated to educational planning.

More specifically, under the supervision of IIEP’s Director and Team Leader of Knowledge Generation and Mobilization, the intern will:

• Conduct applied research benefiting from the help of the Institute’s experts, as well as IIEP’s widely developed Library and its highly experienced staff
• Carry out an in-depth analysis of qualitative and quantitative data
• Help prepare synthesis notes and policy briefs on this basis
• Participate in the design and preparation of policy fora, seminars, online training courses or other meetings organized in the field
• Assist in developing the structure and content of IIEP’s new international Observatory, which will serve as a worldwide reference in the domain
• Liaise with various international partners (development agencies, international organizations, civil society institutions, etc.) as needed
• Attend events organised at IIEP premises on a variety of topics
• Assist in other programme activities as required

The main products to be produced as part of the internship are as follows:

• Notes summarizing the main findings of data analysis
• Consolidated list of resources collected/mobilized as part of the research
• Web articles/blogs to be displayed on IIEP’s website or other online Observatory/platform
• Social posts to help disseminate the main outcomes of IIEP’s research work

The intern will be able to develop and exercise his/her skills in the following areas, with adequate technological support from competent colleagues: Applied research and training, Networking with various international partners, Web and social media strategy development, Working in an international environment, and Working within the UN context.

He/she will have opportunities to engage with other members of the Knowledge Generation and Mobilization team involved in research dissemination and uptake, but also with other teams from the Institute – including that related to training and to technical assistance work. He/she will also be able to exchange with other interns hosted by the Institute, that come from a diversity of universities worldwide.