OPDP Seeking Interns in Kenya

Via www.ogiekpeoples.org

Natural Justice partner the Ogiek Peoples' Development Program (OPDP) is seeking two interns to support their work in their Nakuru, Kenya office. OPDP seeks to "provide a springboard from which Ogiek community," a marginalised indigenous community in western Kenya, "can take a lead role in articulating and advancing their developments, aspirations, priorities and social needs." The positions, one focused on human rights and the other on website design and development, will be for a minimum of eight weeks. The positions are currently unfunded but OPDP can work with prospective interns to source funding support. Accommodation will be provided by OPDP. 

Read more about the positions below. 

Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP) - Nakuru, Kenya

Internship Position Opening (2 persons) – 

(i) Human Rights

(ii) Website Designer and developer

The Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program is currently accepting applications for the position of Human Rights Intern and Website designer & Developer. This position is available to Kenyan and non-Kenyan undergraduate or Postgraduate students who have demonstrated experience in human rights or in the field of Information systems or website designing and development. This is an unfunded positions but OPDP will work with prospective interns to assist them to apply for funding support.

About OPDP:

The Ogiek Peoples’ Development Program (OPDP) was founded in 1999, and registered as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in 2001 by the Kenyan government. OPDP is dedicated to serving the interests of the Ogiek people of Kenya, who are the indigenous inhabitants of Kenya’s last remaining rain forest, the Mau Forest and Mt.Elgon Forest. Key issues that the Ogiek face include marginalization amongst ethnic communities in Kenya, loss of culture and group identity, forced evictions, violence against women, land grabbing, environmental degradation, and ongoing economic, social and cultural violations. The Ogiek currently are litigating their rights at the African Court of Human and Peoples Rights, only the second case to be referred from the African Commission to the African Court. OPDP works with networks of indigenous advocates and human rights defenders across Kenya, Africa, and the globe to raise awareness of Ogiek issues and to bring real benefits to the Ogiek people. You can learn more about the Ogiek at www.ogiek.org and www.ogiekpeoples.org.

Intern Duties

1. Human Rights and Indigenous Peoples

• Assist with human rights monitoring and documentation projects related to the rights of indigenous peoples
• Writing and editing human rights reports, advocacy briefs, and other publications
• International human rights research
• Research on Kenyan and African regional human rights standards
• Develop on-line content
• Participate in other projects as assigned by the Executive Director  or  Programmes Officer

2. Website  designer and  developer

• Assist in reviewing our current website
• Work closely with our administrator in uploading documents to the website
• Develop an E-newsletter
• Develop a portal for OPDP by working closely with OPDP  administrator to ensure future continuity
• Participate in other projects as assigned by the Executive Director  or  Programmes Officer

Note

An intern who has both the experience will have an added advantage. OPDP will provide accommodation for the period of internship, which does not include food. We will also provide transport when going to the field as per OPDP policies.

Duration:

Interns must commit to a minimum of eight weeks commitment to work with OPDP.

Application:

Send a cover letter and resume or CV to OPDP, via opdp2001@yahoo.com or opdp@ogiekpeoples.org. Please describe why you are interested in working with an indigenous peoples’ organization in Africa, your experience in human rights work, how you will fund your expenses during the internship period, as well as any other relevant information to help us evaluate your application.