Although I haven’t heard of too many job opportunities or internships in Washington DC, here is a great internship at Microfinance Opportunities (MFO) that will introduce you to some very knowledegable people in the microfinance sector where you can gain valuable experience:

Microfinance Opportunities (MFO) seeks an undergraduate student for a summer internship with the Consumer Research team. The intern will play a key role in the quality-assurance component of an ongoing impact assessment project known as the Financial Diaries. The position offers a great opportunity to learn about microfinance in the developing world from experts in the field, and to see firsthand how a small nonprofit operates. Interns may participate in a wide variety of activities that support individual programs, including research and project development and management. This internship combines data entry and administrative duties with the possibility of research and editing. Applicants should have a keen interest in microfinance, economics, international affairs or international development.

MFO is a microenterprise resource center that promotes client-led microfinance. Its mission is to create a world where every poor person can benefit from financial services. Our work focuses on the design and delivery of high-quality microfinance products and services that match the needs and preferences of low-income households. MFO’s core competency areas include: research and analysis, innovation, and dissemination.

Qualifications:

• Ideal educational level is advanced undergraduate student
• Strong research skills
• Advanced computer skills in Excel (excellent computer skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Attention to detail
• Excellent writing, research, proofreading, organization and communication skills
• Background in international development a plus

For more information on how to apply, visit Intern Alert

The Grameen Foundation’s Global Volunteer Initiative: Bankers Without Borders, recently launched their new website. The new site features stories from volunteers from the past as well as a cool interactive map of their worldwide volunteer projects.   With their new website, Bankers Without Borders  “want prospective volunteers, corporate partners, and microfinance partners to have all the information they need to get involved.”

Never heard about Bankers Without Borders?  Bankers without Borders is a global volunteer initiative, sponsored by Grameen Foundation, connecting private individuals and companies with microfinance institutions and other organizations serving the poor. Bankers without Borders is an international reserve of professionals who contribute their time and skills to fight poverty by supporting microfinance and technology for the poor people around the world. From human resources to marketing, from cash management to telecommunications, Bankers without Borders gives volunteers a chance to use their professional expertise where needs and returns are greatest. Whether working on-site or remotely, whether consulting or training, members of Bankers without Borders help increase the scale, sustainability, and impact of the programs that Grameen Foundation supports.

Bankers Without Borders is a great website for people who are looking to volunteer or get an internships in Microfinance.  The different opporunities vary across all aspects of MFI jobs, as well as the time frames.  Here is a list of their current openings:

Business and Strategic Planning:

• NEW! Childfinance products and services

Development team:

• Summer Development Team Intern

Finance:

• Intern for Capital Management & Advisory Center (CMAC)

Human Capital:

• BwB Calling Support
• Human Resources Policy and Procedure Review
• GF Human Resources Recruitment Screening Support

Marketing/ Public Relations:

• Assistant Editors for Microfinance Focus Magazine in Bangalore, India
• Creating an Online Bankers without Borders Card
• Design and Layout for Corporate Governance Handbook
• Guest Bloggers and Online Outreach Volunteers
• Management, Research & Administrative Support with Marketing & Communication
• Mifos Community Outreach Web Content
• NEW! Communications Intern for the Social Performance Management team
• Mifos Graphic Design (Microfinance Open Source Software)
• Video Editing – Village phone

Project & Enterprise Management:

• Knowledge Management

Technology:

• Software Development – Automate pseudolocalization in Mifos
• Software Development – Automated Acceptance Tests for Mifos (Microfinance Open Source Software)
• Software Development – Configure Build Server for Mifos
• Software Development – Fix Firefox Bugs in Mifos
• Software Development – Mifos contributor
• Software Development – Prototype Mifos with a CSS Framework
• Technical Requirements and Implementation Documentation
• Technology Readiness – Case Study for CEO/CIO IT Strategy Training
• Technology Readiness – Curriculum and tools design for CEO/CIO IT Strategy Training

Translation Services:

• Chinese Translation of Mifos documentation
• French Translation of Mifos Documentation
• Portuguese Translation of Mifos Documentation
• Spanish Translation of Mifos documentation
• Translation team for Grameen Foundation

Web-based Expertise:

• Mifos (Microfinance Open Source Software) Flash Demo Design & Production
• Mifos (Microfinance Open Source Software) Plone Web Design & Development
• SugarCRM Integration for Mifos(Microfinance Open Source Software)
• Technical Writing – Improve Mifos Install Guide
• Web Development for Microfinance Focus Magazine in Bangalore, India