Empower has the good fortune of maintaining close relationships with a growing network of outstanding partners in the field of social entrepreneurship. For aspiring applicants to the Empower Fellowship, by exploring the links on these pages you will be able to learn more about a remarkable group of social enterprises and organizations and hopefully discover one you want to work with. If you have identified a partner organization with whom you would like to work, but which does not have a written description of their available positions, please promptly contact Cody Valdes and Manjula Dissanayake at empower.igl@gmail.com so that we can work with our partners explore the feasibility of an internship on your behalf. For Schwab network organizations, Investours, and any partner with a written description of their available opportunities, however, please follow the standard application procedures.
Current Featured Partner:
Investours is an international non-profit organization that engages travelers firsthand in microfinance by bringing them into impoverished communities where they can meet local artisans and fund their business loans. Investours tours provide both interest-free loans and an ethical and educational way for travelers to learn about and contribute to poverty alleviation. Investours is currently operating in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with plans to expand to several new locations in the next two years.
Current Opportunities for Empower
1. Summer Internship
Duration: May - August 2012
A Summer internship is available in both our Mexico and Tanzania locations. It is a unique opportunity to learn about the microfinance process firsthand and contribute in a meaningful way to the operations of an innovative start-up organization. Summer Fellows will be responsible for several tasks, which will vary depending on the specific needs of the Program Director as well as the background and interests of the fellows. Projects will include but are not limited to: social impact assessment (through the collection of comprehensive data through interviews and surveys), marketing (through developing partnerships with tour operators, hotels, and on-the-ground work to advertise our tours), and planning and operating our tours.
Applicants should have a strong interest in microfinance, international development, and responsible travel. Ideal candidates will be proficient in Spanish (Mexico) or knowledge of Swahili (Tanzania) and have some experience living or working abroad. The position requires someone with strong communication skills and the ability to take initiative.
2. Program Director
Duration: 1 Year +
At both locations, the Program Director will be responsible for all day-to-day program operations. Activities include but are not limited to: developing and maintaining MFI partner relationships; planning, arranging and running regular tours; marketing tours locally and working with the global team to market internationally; grant writing; updating our website; managing specific program revenue streams and finances; advising and working with program interns. The Director reports directly to the Country Director and will also be accountable to and work with the global management team. He/she will interact both with locals and with tourists on a daily basis, culminating in a unique hands-on learning experience. Directors will be expected to take initiative to ensure that all aspects of the program run smoothly and effectively and stay within the guidelines of the Investours mission.
Applicants should have experience working in a non-profit, start-up environment. Ideal candidates will be fluent in Spanish (Mexico only) and have experience working and living in Mexico/Tanzania. Knowledge or experience in microfinance or tourism is a plus. The position requires a flexible person with strong initiative and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people. Strong computer skills are required. The Director will work a minimum of 35 hours a week although he/she will likely not follow a traditional work schedule due to the nature of the work. The position requires a minimum 1 year commitment.
Becoming a Partner
If you or your organization are interested in joining forces with Empower please e-mail us, we will be glad to hear from you!