Public Affairs and Media Internship
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must apply on the OECD Washington website and are encouraged to submit their application early. Applicants who submit their materials only on Handshake (and not on the OECD Washington website) likely will not be considered.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is a unique forum where the governments of 36 market democracies work together to address the economic, social and governance challenges of the globalizing world economy, as well as to exploit its opportunities. To do this, we work with governments to measure things like productivity and global trade flows. But we also look at issues that directly affect the well-being of ordinary people, like how much they pay in taxes and social security, and how much leisure time they can take. We compare how different countries’ school systems are readying their young people for modern life, and how different countries’ pension systems will look after their citizens in old age. By sharing experiences on the policies that work, we help governments learn from each other to find solutions to common problems.
The OECD Center in Washington D.C. aims to increase awareness and impact of the organization's data and analyses through targeted public affairs, media and publishing activities in the United States and Canada. We work on a daily basis with government agencies, business and labor groups, civil society, thought leaders, academia and the media to provide trusted analysis and information on a broad range of economic policy challenges.
The Public Affairs/Media Interns assist in the mission to increase the impact and influence of the OECD’s work in North America through targeted public affairs and media activities. Interns are members of a team responsible for directing the OECD’s external communications and outreach to government agencies, business and labor groups, civil society and the media.
Typical Intern Responsibilities Include:
- Quickly pinpoint relevant information to include in press releases; Facebook posts and tweets, as well as other communications designed to engage our target audiences in the US/Canada.
- Participate in —and report on— external meetings, public presentations and Congressional hearings related to OECD priorities.
- Receive and draft responses to external queries from government, media and the general public seeking information about the OECD’s work.
- Organize public events, including handling guest lists and invitations through Evenbrite, room set-up, catering and other logistics.
- Produce early morning news clips by gathering relevant news articles, editorials, opinion pieces and mentions of the OECD in key US and Canadian news organizations.
- Draft daily content for social media accounts.
- Maintain calendar of upcoming visits and report launches.
- Use Mailchimp to design and send approved external communications.
- Manage contact database, proactively updating contact information and exporting lists in advance of campaigns to ensure maximum reach.
- Track metrics related to our activities, including quantity and type of media requests; attendees at events; earned media coverage following release of reports.
- In addition, Interns can expect to be involved in special projects with Washington and Paris-based colleagues. Recent trainees have assisted with the visits of the OECD Secretary-General and other senior OECD officials.
Essential Requirements
For the duration of the internship, Interns must be:
- Enrolled in a university program leading to a graduate/undergraduate degree.
- Available full-time. Part-time candidates with desirable skills may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Desired Profile
- Generalist with broad intellectual appetite and a sense of humor.
- Strong interest in the nexus between policy and strategic communications.
- News-junkie, familiar with a wide range of current US policy debates (Tax reform, education, inequality, etc)
- Fluent English speaker with excellent written skills.
- Able stay organized in a fast-paced setting, regularly monitoring and responding to email.
- Able to plan ahead, problem solve, follow-up and follow through.
- Able to distill complex ideas and data into relatable content for social media and newsletters.
- Confident in dealing with phone calls and emails from external sources, independently taking steps to determine what information is being sought, and by whom.
- Prior internship / professional experience is an advantage.
How to apply
Please submit:
- A 1-page resume indicating your GPA, or international equivalent grade.
- A brief cover letter explaining why a public affairs and media internship at the OECD Washington fits with you career goals and what you hope to get from it.
The OECD provides interns with a contribution to living expenses according to OECD guidelines. Our office is located at the OECD Washington Center in downtown Washington (Metro: Farragut West). The OECD Washington Center observes U.S. Federal Holidays.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a public outreach and communications internship. If you are interested in a research/policy analysis internship please visit http://oe.cd/264 to see opportunities at our Paris headquarters.
Only enrolled students can be considered. If you will have already graduated before the end of the internship, you will not eligible for consideration.