Intern (Paid Internship); Market Driven Rural Development Activity

Market Driven Rural Development Internship announcement

Title:   Intern (Paid Internship)

Project Name:  Market Driven Rural Development Activity (MDRD)

Location:    Combination of remote and in-office support

Timeframe:   February 2025 – April 2025

Supervisor:   Sabohat Dustova, Deputy Chief of Party for MDRD

Background

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded ACDI/VOCA a five-year contract to implement the Market-Driven Rural Development (MDRD) Activity in Tajikistan. MDRD aims to drive growth in the country’s agricultural sector through an inclusive, market-based approach, creating economic opportunities for rural communities, with a focus on vegetables, fruits, and dairy products. 

Key priorities of MDRD include:

• Supporting women- and youth-led businesses, as well as those that create opportunities for these groups.
• Promoting climate-smart practices, technology, and investment within the sector.

For more information about the project, please visit: https://www.acdivoca.org/projects/market-driven-rural-development-activity/  

Gender equality, youth inclusion, and social integration are central to all MDRD partnerships, some of which are led by women and youth. Inspired by these outcomes, MDRD seeks to highlight these efforts through a series of events and publications, including the creation of audiovisual and creative content. 

To support this initiative, MDRD is looking for dynamic and motivated young professionals to join our team as interns. This opportunity allows recent graduates and emerging professionals to apply their skills in a professional, nonprofit setting while contributing to a cause that creates a tangible impact.

Role

The intern will be responsible for creating compelling and visually captivating video content that highlights the essence of MDRD’s activities. This includes showcasing the impact of events and promoting the project’s objectives to a broader audience. The responsibilities are divided into the following stages:

Pre-Production

• Collaborate with the MDRD team to fully understand the project’s objectives, target audience, and key messages for the video content.
• Develop creative concepts, including storyboards and scripts, to guide the production process.
• Plan and organize logistics for on-site filming, including selecting filming locations, coordinating participants, and ensuring the necessary equipment is in place.

Production

• Capture high-quality footage during MDRD events, activities, and interviews with key stakeholders, including beneficiaries, partners, and project staff.

Post-Production

• Edit raw footage into polished, cohesive videos that align with MDRD’s branding guidelines.
• Enhance videos by incorporating graphics, subtitles, voiceovers, and background music, as needed.
• Produce both short-form content (30-60 second videos) and longer-form content (3-5 minute videos) for distribution across various platforms.

Benefits

• Acquire hands-on experience in communication and outreach within a nonprofit environment, with a focus on USAID’s branding and communication standards, content creation, and social media strategies.
• Ideal for students pursuing careers in marketing, advertising, digital communications, or related fields.
• Gain insights into market system development and the creation of content that resonates with diverse target audiences.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in a relevant degree program, such as Film, Media, Marketing, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Adobe Premiere Pro for video editing; skills in similar/related software will be a significant advantage.
• Solid skills in motion graphic design. 
• Experience with camera equipment and video production techniques. 
• Strong storytelling and creative abilities.
• Solid team collaboration skills, with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• A portfolio demonstrating expertise in video editing and motion graphic design (if available)
• Positive attitude, eagerness to learn, and a strong work ethic.

How to Apply

To apply for the Intern position, please submit your resume, cover letter, and a link to your video portfolio. In your cover letter, explain why you are interested in this internship and how your skills and experience align with the role.

Applications will be reviewed and selected on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Please send your materials to mdrdtajikistan@joinav.org  with the subject line "Intern Application." 

ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. We look forward to reviewing your application and learning how your creativity can contribute to our team.