Established in 1978, United Palestinian Appeal, Inc., (UPA) is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that works to provide assistance to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, West Bank and Lebanon. We strive to deliver efficient charitable services at low overhead costs in the areas of education, health care, child sponsorship, and agricultural, economic, environmental and community development. Our programs aim to connect ordinary people with practical solutions, sustain Palestinians with immediate needs, and empower them with the means to live dignified, peaceful lives.

About UPA's Intership program

UPA's internship program offers dynamic short and long term opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and recently graduated students. Many of our past interns have come from surrounding universities such as Georgetown University, American University, George Washington University, but UPA encourages applicants from any state or country! Applicants may apply this internship toward university credit, and all internships are unpaid.

Interns participate in a variety of activities that support individual programs, including research, writing and project development. Interns are also encouraged to engage in UPA sponsored events, including area fundraisers, marathons and high profile speaker events, like policy briefings, seminars and summits. Interns are also expected to submit a project of their choice (with feedback from the intern coordinator) that is associated with UPA and its programs. Interns are also encouraged to take advantage of Washington area events that are relevant to UPA's mission.

There are a bounty of resources available to help obtain a greater awareness of the politics surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian impasse, humanitarian work in the region, peace and conflict resolution based initiatives, as well as congressional and senatorial committee hearings relevant to U.S. foreign policy in the region.

UPA seeks to provide its interns with a well rounded experience integrating both the humanitarian side of the issue with that of politics and policymaking. Students have been known to attend lectures at the Brookings Institute, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Middle East Institute and the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars among many others.

Qualifications

The applicant must be at least a third year undergraduate who is:
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
  • A commitment and passion for Palestinian humanitarian needs
  • Knowledge of or interest in Arabic highly desirable

    Duties

    Based on preferences and demonstrated skills, interns will be asked to participate in some or all of the following:
  • Assist with event planning from coordination to execution
  • Conduct UPA program related or grassroots building research
  • Maintain office calendars, files and databases
  • Monitor fundraising campaigns
  • Perform clerical duties, including: faxes, photocopies and distribution of materials
  • Work with online social networking websites like Facebook, Twitter and Youtube
  • Perform basic research (Internet), as well as operational tasks related to the UPA website. This responsibility will include generating content to ensure that the website is fresh, interesting, inviting and updated
  • Serve as a resource to UPA's staff
  • Monitor office supplies
  • Attend biweekly events in the city and brief UPA staff on the occurrences at these events

    How to apply

    Please send cover letter and resume to Samar Ridi via contact@helpupa.com and type "Internship" in subject heading.

    We are still accepting applications for the summer on a rolling basis so please get in your application as soon as possible!