Take Action, Get Involved!

Working, studying and learning at Spanda

Volunteering and Interning

VOLUNTEERS   ARE  BEAUTIFUL  PEOPLE

WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING?
Volunteering is the most fundamental act of citizenship and
philanthropy in our society. It is offering time, energy and skills of
one’s own free will. It is an extension of being a good neighbour,
transforming a collection of houses into a community, as people
become involved in the improvement of their surroundings and choose
to help others. By caring and contributing to change, volunteers
decrease suffering and disparity, while they gain skills, self-esteem,
and change their lives. People work to improve the lives of their
neighbours and, in return, enhance their own.
(Making a Case for Volunteer Centres, Volunteer Ontario, 1996.)

Spanda is registered with the UNV Online Volunteering service.

Volunteering is a great way to contribute to the global community and gain experience, and also fosters personal growth. Whether you would like to take a short volunteer vacation or a prolonged gap year,
Spanda provides challenging and affordable volunteer opportunities in international programmes. Indeed, volunteers are beautiful people. Bringing good people and good causes together is part of our mission. Let us help you find a cause that needs your help, because it's good to be beautiful.
Some of us, when considering careers, seek fame or fortune. Others seek rewards of a different type – the reward of helping those less fortunate than us. For those so inclined, there are a variety of volunteer options ranging from short-term commitments to a full-fledged career in the non-profit sector.

    Why volunteer?     People volunteer for a variety of reasons, you may be motivated by altruistic values, seek social justice, see service as a way to enable a democratic political system, or you may want to update your skills, be active, or improve your job prospects. Volunteering provides the opportunity to explore career fields that you might never have thought of and provides an opportunity
to give something to those in need, as well. Whatever your reason, we believe volunteering can transform you and the world around you.

15 Great Reasons to Volunteer

• Help others  • Make a difference  • Find purpose
• Enjoy a meaningful conversation  • Connect with your community
• Feel involved  • Contribute to a cause that you care about
• Use your skills in a productive way  • Develop new skills  
• Meet new people  • Explore new areas of interest
• Expand your horizons  • Make new friends
• Strengthen your resume
• Feel better about yourself

Part of being a volunteer is loving what you are doing. Find something that you are passionate about or something that inspires you, and then find a need in your community. There are dozens of reasons why you should volunteer – you just need to find the one that feels right. Helping others and making a difference are just two. Once you've figured out why to volunteer, we can help you find a great opportunity.

    What will I do? What type of work might I be doing?    Volunteers are involved in every area of Spanda's work, from general administration through to campaigning and research. We aim to give volunteers specific roles and projects that support the work of the Foundation and help volunteers develop their skills and experience. We recognise that people have many different reasons for wanting to volunteer and, where possible, we try to meet individual needs. There is no typical volunteer, but it helps if you are interested in cultural and global issues and can work effectively as part of a team.

    What will I gain from volunteering?     As a volunteer at Spanda you will develop new skills and gain valuable work experience, you will learn about culture, peacebuilding processes, conservation, environment, intercultural and interfaith issues, you will make new friends and meet like-minded people, and play an important part in the success of leading international programmes.

    What can I do after?    Volunteering can be the job of a lifetime or it can be part of your every day life. In fact, most people who volunteer do it in their spare time. That's not to say that a volunteer position can't become a full-time job. Many volunteers go on to find paid work in cultural and or non-profit organizations.

    Volunteer work     Even though you can be considered a volunteer, you will have provided an immeasurable amount of support to those in need and will have gained a wealth of experience that will benefit your career. Spanda Foundation has a growing variety of volunteer opportunities in a wide range of areas. Volunteers are needed in our offices, at special events, in our cultural and education programmes, and in our 'garden’.
We provide orientation and training. In an effort to offer a broad spectrum of creative learning opportunities, Spanda continually seeks creative and innovative individuals to join our instructional team.

L O O K I N G   F O R   A   V O L O U N T E E R   O P P O R T U N I T Y ?

We have a number of ongoing opportunities:

C L I C K   H E R E !

    Internship opportunities    Spanda offers a very limited number of internship every year. Eligible candidates must have an academic background and research interests corresponding to the topics of the Spanda's programmes and be currently enrolled in a Master's or PhD programme. Given the Spanda's limited human, administrative and financial resources, unsolicited and or speculative applications for other positions are not accepted and will not be acknowledged or answered to.
Internships at Spanda are non-remunerated, but may be used to receive university credit. Candidates are advised to have support from sponsoring university or to be within the framework of an academic programme. The duration of internships are 3-6 months.

    Communication | Publications and Dissemination Dept.
Closing date: Ongoing
Vacancy number: INT 040
Non-remunerated, fulltime position requiring a minimum commitment of 6 months.
Spanda is now accepting applications for an internship position based within the Publications and Dissemination Department, Applicants must be enrolled in a Master’s or PhD degree programme in Communication, or Marketing. The Intern will:
~ Assist in implementing the Foundation’s global research communication strategy by supporting media outreach (national, regional and international media; specialist media).
~ Assist with the day-to-day updating and maintenance of the Spanda website in English, and assist other staff with their contribution of content to the site.
It is estimated that two thirds of the Intern’s time will be spent on media outreach, and one third on the website.
Part I: Media communication activities
Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
~ Build and maintain local and international media and community network contacts;
~ Develop and implement communications and media strategies that successfully deliver key information of Spanda Foundation to the public;
~ Liaise with the media to promote the work of the Foundation;
~ Create press releases and assist with the dissemination across multiple news sources;
~ Motivate and support research staff in implementing media outreach and communication goals;
~ Develop a marketing strategy and create marketing materials;
~ Draft news articles on Spanda publications, events, research for timely use in outreach activities
~ Provide editorial support such as editing and preparation of written materials for use in proposals, newsletters, and organizational events;
~ Plan and create posts for social media (Twitter, Facebook, etc.). Contribute ideas to strengthen social media presence;
~ Plan and create Spanda podcasts and video products;
~ Maintain ongoing relationship with donors and sponsors – acknowledge donations, ensure timely reporting and information distribution.
Part II: Spanda website
Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
~ Updating of Spanda Foundation’s website, blog, and other social media entities by posting latest information, news, documents, etc. related to developments of Spanda Foundation’s programmes, activities and stakeholders;
~ Build, monitor, update and maintain CMS databases;
~ Review, edit and proofread content contributed by Spanda staff via the CMS for online posting;
~ Liaise and work with Spanda staff to ensure publicity of ongoing work and new initiatives on the website.
Other activities:
~ Proactively use, contribute to, maintain and update the Spanda communication strategies plan;
~ Work with the Web and Media Consultants in contributing to the development of formal procedures for targeted outreach to UN departments, entities, and academia.
Communication interns must possess:
~ Excellent editing, writing, and web publishing skills;
~ Excellent communications and marketing skills;
~ Strong interpersonal skills;
~ Strong familiarity with new/social media and internet communications;
~ Strong background in Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations and/or Communications;
~ Interest in Human Rights, International Development, and/or Diplomacy.
Desirable Skills and Competencies:
~ Effective organizational skills;
~ Oral communication;
~ Teamwork;
~ Professionalism;
~ Accountability;
Languages: Excellent command of oral and written English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish and Dutch are an asset.
This Spanda internship is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Spanda Internship Agreement. Interns are not financially remunerated, and Spanda is not responsible for interns’ travel expenses to and from The Hague, or for mandatory medical insurance during the period of the internship.
Yearly dates | 2011
Start date 1st January 1st April 1st August 1st October
Application deadline 30th October 31st January 30th May 31st July
us your internship Application and a cover letter specifying the date of your availability and your CV. The subject of your email should be the position you are applying for.

    Development | Development Dept.
Closing date: Ongoing
Vacancy number: INT 041
Non-remunerated, fulltime position requiring a minimum commitment of 3 months.
Spanda is now accepting applications for an internship position based within the Development Department. Eligible candidates must be currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD degree programme in: Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Peace Studies, Conflict Prevention/Resolution, African Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Governance and Diplomacy; Religious Studies, Cultural Studies, Theology, Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy; ethnomusicology or a related field from an accredited university and have academic and professional experience in issues related to social policy and poverty in developing countries. Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. We are especially interested in candidates with a strong expertise in microfinance in developing countries.
Development interns may be assigned to one or more of Spanda current projects.
The Jubilo Project
Jubilo aims to foster conflict prevention, ethnic integration and peace building actions through the interfaith dialogue. The Project underlines the contribution of cultural diversity to our common heritage and shared values to create stronger community cohesion and mutual acceptance.
The Mantra Project
Mantra is a green microfinance project focusing on empowerment of women, education and renewable energy. The Project strives to alleviate poverty and revitalize communities by enabling them to attain economic self-sufficiency through suitable, sustainable and equitable development. Currently, Mantra’s focal objective is to improve the standard of living in selected villages in the district of Pujehun and Bo in Sierra Leone through the implementation of a sustainable solar power plant, promoting the productive use of energy and bringing about income generating activities.
The Musiké Project
Musiké aims to research, recover, document, conserve and disseminate in concerts and multimedia the world’s ethnomusicological heritage across a wide audience by means of an accurate and natural balance between educational values and musical enjoyment. Thanks to a deeper understanding of musical traditions Musiké contributes to achieve greater tolerance among people, to enhance cultural diversity and foster individual and community development through culture.
Primary duties and responsibilities of development interns include, but are not limited to the following:
~ Assist with background research on Spanda projects;
~ Assist in preparing written material on development context to be edited in volume;
~ Assist in the drafting of new research proposals for the future Spanda research agenda 2011-2015;
~ Conduct library and internet searches;
~ Contribute to ongoing working tasks related to project management, fundraising activities, external relations, or event organization;
~ Produce short draft papers, literature reviews, articles or another similar outputs, on subjects related to the projects;
~ Organize and assist in events planning and execution (i.e. Jubilo, Tea for Peace, concerts, auctions, etc);
~ Conduct special research projects;
~ Create fact sheets, reports, documents, and presentations summarizing research results;
~ Maintain and update information of Spanda’s research library.
Development interns must possess the following:
~ Excellent written and oral communication skills;
~ Strong analytical abilities;
~ Strong research skills;
~ Good interpersonal skills;
~ Effective organizational skills;
~ Ability to use computer technology and various office applications;
~ Background in any of the following: Microfinance, Renewable Energy, Gender Studies, Political Science, Development Studies, African Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Governance and Diplomacy; Religious Studies, Cultural Studies, Theology, Cultural Anthropology, Philosophy and any other similar/relevant areas.
Languages: Excellent command of oral and written English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish and Dutch are an asset.
This Spanda internship is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Spanda Internship Agreement. Interns are not financially remunerated, and Spanda is not responsible for interns’ travel expenses to and from The Hague, or for mandatory medical insurance during the period of the internship.
Yearly dates | 2011
Start date 1st January 1st April 1st August 1st October
Application deadline 30th October 31st January 30th May 31st July
us your internship Application and a cover letter specifying the date of your availability and your CV. The subject of your email should be the position you are applying for.

    Music Management | Development Dept.
Closing date: Ongoing
Vacancy number: INT 042
Non-remunerated, fulltime position requiring a minimum commitment of 6 months.
Spanda is now accepting applications for an internship position based within the Music Management Unit of the Development Department. Eligible candidates must be currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD degree programme in Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Ethnochorology from an accredited university and have academic and professional experience in related field. Music literacy and written and spoken fluency in English are essential.
Musiké aims to research, recover, document, conserve and disseminate the world’s ethnomusicological heritage across a wide audience by means of an accurate and natural balance between educational values and musical enjoyment in concerts and multimedia. Musiké contributes to achievement of a greater tolerance among people and to enhance cultural diversity through a deeper understanding of musical traditions.
Primary duties and responsibilities of the Music Management interns include, but are not limited to the following:
~ Organize and assist in events planning and execution;
~ Conduct special research projects;
~ Conduct library and internet searches;
~ Create fact sheets, reports, documents, and presentations summarizing research results;
~ Contribute to ongoing working tasks related to project management, fundraising activities, external relations, or event organization;
~ Produce short draft papers, literature reviews, articles or another similar outputs, on subjects related to the project;
~ Organize and assist in events planning and execution;
~ Maintain and update information of Spanda’s research library.
~ Develop ideas for raising funds to support the project;
~ Develop standard or tailored project proposals, coordinating with donors, and assisting with funding;
~ Research and cultivate funding partners through foundations, corporations, governments, and individual donors;
Music Management interns must possess:
~ Excellent research skills;
~ Excellent writing and editing skills;
~ Strong communications skills;
~ Strong interpersonal skills;
~ Strong familiarity with musical notation;
~ Strong musical culture background
~ Ability to use computer technology and various office applications;
~ Ability and experience in working with a close-knit team
Desirable Skills and Competencies:
~ Effective organizational skills;
~ Oral communication;
~ Teamwork;
~ Professionalism;
~ Accountability;
~ Background in any of the following: Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Events Planning and Organisation, Music Production, Music Management, International Business, Fundraising, Ethnomusicology, Music Education, Musicology, Ethnomusicology, Ethno-chorology, Choreutics, Socio-musicology
Languages: Excellent command of oral and written English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish and Dutch are an asset.
This Spanda internship is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Spanda Internship Agreement. Interns are not financially remunerated, and Spanda is not responsible for interns’ travel expenses to and from The Hague, or for mandatory medical insurance during the period of the internship.
Yearly dates | 2011
Start date 1st January 1st April 1st August 1st October
Application deadline 30th October 31st January 30th May 31st July
us your internship Application and a cover letter specifying the date of your availability and your CV. The subject of your email should be the position you are applying for.

   Fundraising | Development Dept.
Closing date: Ongoing
Vacancy number: INT 043
Non-remunerated, fulltime position requiring a minimum commitment of 6 months.
Spanda is now accepting applications for an internship position based within the Fundraising Unit of the Development Department. Eligible candidates must be currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD degree programme and will work full time with the Programme Coordinator to attract funds to increase Spanda’s capability to fund projects and increase its institutional efficiency; to increase public awareness of Spanda’s goals and approaches.
Primary duties and responsibilities of fundraising interns include, but are not limited to the following:
~ Developing ideas for raising funds to support projects and programmes;
~ Explore and utilize different channels of incoming funds
~ Organize public fundraising events
~ Write project proposals and apply for funds
~ Research and cultivate funding partners through foundations, corporations, governments, and individual donors;
~ Develop standard or tailored project proposals, coordinate with donors, and assist with funding;
~ Managing logistics
~ Report to the Programme Coordinator and liaise with Board
Fundraiser interns must possess the following:
~ Experience in fundraising or event organizing;
~ Great personal initiative and independence;
~ Capacity to proactively delegating small fundraising tasks to Spanda’s interns;
~ Creativity;
~ Goal-oriented and good at setting priorities;
~ Socially capable
~ Well versed with computer technology
Languages: Excellent command of oral and written English. Working knowledge of French, Spanish and Dutch are an asset.
This Spanda internship is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Spanda Internship Agreement. Interns are not financially remunerated, and Spanda is not responsible for interns’ travel expenses to and from The Hague, or for mandatory medical insurance during the period of the internship.
Yearly dates | 2011
Start date 1st January 1st April 1st August 1st October
Application deadline 30th October 31st January 30th May 31st July
us your internship Application and a cover letter specifying the date of your availability and your CV. The subject of your email should be the position you are applying for.

    Apply now!     We are very pleased that you are interested in being a vital part of Spanda Foundation. We value highly the individuals like you who will make possible the Spanda's internationally respected contributions to culture, education, health, environment, microfinance and research for the advancement of peace, knowledge and understanding. In order to intern you need to be within reasonable traveling distance to The Hague, Netherlands.

•
Spanda is a resource for innovative people.



About    Programmes    Jubilo    Musiké    Newsletter    NewsFeeds
Publications      Resources     Get Involved     Contact    FaQ    Legal




Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative License
© Spanda Foundation 2005-2010. Some Rights Reserved.