Internship

Internships are a short-term attachment by students, young professionals or volunteers of any age to the Deepti Bhuban programme or arrangement another ngos for placement in various development programs. We can arrange garments sector placement and industrial arrangement. The internship should benefit both Intern, through widening and deepening their knowledge of Bangladesh, development and working in a field-based NGO, but also Deepti Bhuban in terms of carrying out useful work, building links and promoting its work with partners. Deepti Bhuban is an independent, non-government, non-partisan and non-profit welfare and development organization.

Deepti Bhuban offer two types of Internship:

First, a formal 8-week study program (requiring a minimum of 8 Interns) which involves a larger group following a combined study and work experience program. Second, an informal Intern attachment (which requires a minimum of two Interns) which involves merely a work attachment but also some individual assignments from Deepti Bhuban. In this case, the Intern must fit in with the needs of the organization. The Intern program is open for all. Informal Intern Attachment: can be arranged at any time for varying lengths of time, to fit in with ongoing program requirements.

Objectives:

An opportunity for students, and young professionals to participate in an exposure, study and work experience programmed connected with a large working NGO in the south and gain insight and experience as a result. To assist Deepti Bhuban to conduct some tasks, especially research and documentation in support of its development work. To strengthen co-operation and linkages between Deepti Bhuban and its core partners.

Specific Themes:

For the formal program, study options include Food Security; Disaster Preparedness and Response; Mother and Child Health, People's Organizations, Microfinance, Advocacy, Research and Information. The informal attachment can be arranged by negotiation to suit the interests of interns and Deepti Bhuban.

Program:

Orientation, preliminary field visits, one week study/seminar program, 6-week posting to central or field offices and participation in work or research/information assignment, learning practical ways of doing field-level work, concluding seminar/ workshop, and completion/submission of assignments.

Output:

Normally, the main assignment will be contributing to some practical aspect of the development program- for example, data research or analysis, research, human development and skills training, computer training, library administration, health clinic. The Intern will be expected to produce a report on their work - providing concise analytical information or documentation in certain cases, a specific research or information task will be the main assignment, which may be conducted individually or as a group.

Submit at least 2 feature reports on any aspect of the Deepti Bhuban program (short 2 pages journalistic article) in their own language and English, which can be left with Deepti Bhuban for further use.

Cost:

Internship including food and lodgings at Deepti Bhuban guesthouse at USD 40 per day (Euro 30), training, work/research assignment and support, and transport within the Deepti Bhuban working area. In addition, USD 250 (Euro 170) per month per person is charged for supervision, guidance and administrative purposes. Note that this merely covers direct costs - Deepti Bhuban makes no 'profit' and must allocate staff time to serve Interns. As an NGO, Deepti Bhuban has no spare funds to subsidies this arrangement.

The Intern's Own Responsibilities:

Arranging visa for duration of visit (Deepti Bhuban can provide invitation letter).

Health insurance.

Airfares to/from Bangladesh.

Other personal expenses (e.g. telephone etc.).

Certificate:

Deepti Bhuban will award a certificate on successful completion of the formal internship.

Task and Assignments:

For the assignment/work placement, Deepti Bhuban will endeavor to place the Intern where their skills, experience and interest may be of greatest value or according to their interest - for example, personnel with health background will be assigned to the Community Health Project, with agricultural background to the Agriculture Unit or training centers. Those with generalist skills can be allocated a research/information assignment or assigned to related general work - computer use, library work, journalism, personnel, and similar. The final assignment will be decided when the Intern's applications and preferences are received.

The Intern Experience:

From previous experience, Deepti Bhuban has found that interns who are motivated and committed, adaptable and able to work on their own prove the best interns and both parties gain most from the experience. Although Deepti Bhuban provides reasonable living conditions in its guesthouses (there are 5 main guesthouses, in Dhaka and the field), living in northern Bangladesh can prove very challenging and demanding - there is little freedom of movement, and foreigners (especially women) attract attention wherever they go, which can be difficult for those not used to it. There is little or no evening social life. Visitors are expected to fit into prevailing cultural practices and norms so as not to cause offence. Visitors may also find the same Bengali food monotonous and unappetizing for weeks on end. The summer months are also very hot and humid (averaging 34-36 degrees C and with 95% humidity) which can be energy-sapping. Communications are also problematic. It is possible to telep hone Europe or North America (though charges are high); email/internet communication exists. Due to political reasons there may be frequent strikes often extending for several days when all transport stops and interns should remain indoors. In the summer months, also the monsoon, flooding does occur which is unlikely to affect the interns directly but may limit their movement. Finally, Deepti Bhuban is a busy working NGO - there may be no staff member with much time to assist or supervise an intern, the intern may have to fit into the travel arrangements of others to visit the field. Occasionally other interns can become dissatisfied and this can unsettle even those who are relatively satisfied. For those who can adjust to these conditions, an internship can be a rewarding experience and Deepti Bhuban has been privileged to have a long series of interns who have adapted, and benefited personally from the experience as well as contributing to the work of the organization and interpreting it abroad. We also have experience of a few who were not satisfied, or found the circumstances oppressive. Normally, we expect interns to have some maturity - so anyone below 23 would need to be highly motivated. Some previous exposure to developing countries will also help overcome initial 'shock'.

Interested participants should contact with their resume/CV and should also state their area of interest for as soon as possible with assignment.

Contact Parson

•Debasis Chowdhury Rana

•Executive Director

•Deepti Bhuban

•Email: [email protected]

•Phone:+88-01712114861

Payment of the Internship Fee should be made in full in advance.

Deepti Bhuban reserves the right to cancel the program in the event of insufficient interest or other circumstances (such as deteriorating political or natural disaster).The application should be attached with full curriculum vitae, two passport size photographs, and names and contact addresses of at least two referees.The place of Internship will be normally at the Deepti Bhuban head office in Dhaka or any of its project areas outside Dhaka. Working hour, leave and holidays for the intern shall be the same as for Deepti Bhuban staff.

Termination

Both parties - Deepti Bhuban and the Intern - may terminate the Internship contract by providing 7 days’ notice. However, Deepti Bhuban will have the right to terminate the Internship without any notice period if the Intern has violated Deepti Bhuban Code of Ethics; or has been: a) convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude, or b) found guilty of any other misconduct.

Office & Related Facilities

To the extent possible, Deepti Bhuban will try, but does not guarantee, to provide logistic support such as workstation, telephone and internet use, supply of stationery and other facilities, that may be required for proper discharge of assigned tasks by the Intern.