Overseas Private Investment Corporation: General Internships-Selection Process

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OPIC

General Internships

General Internships

Department/Internship Descriptions
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Office:	External and Public Affairs
Open To:	Undergraduate
Duties:	Under the guidance of an External Affairs Officer, the intern will assist in protocol events for ranking foreign and U.S. dignitaries and support OPIC's public affairs activities through as-required research projects. Other duties include: assisting in production of OPIC promotional materials, such as brochures and special editions, providing information about OPIC programs to the general public. In addition, assist in legislative activities of interest to the corporation.
Required Background/Skills:	Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel programs is required, Power Point preferred. Good oral and written communication skills are also required.
Desired Additional Skills:	Interns must demonstrate a high degree of initiative, and be able to work independently as well as with a team, and be able to complete each project assigned.

Finance

Office:	Small and Medium-Enterprise Finance Internships
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	The Small and Medium Enterprise Department supports American investment abroad by providing long-term small to medium-sized loans to small and middle market clients in a wide variety of projects. Interns serve as junior financial analysts and can be involved in all stages of project development as part of a Project Team. Interns may review applications for financing and financial statements, build or analyze models of projected project cash flows, research various policy issues, prepare country economic and political risk analyses, prepare credit reviews of outstanding loans and work with Investment Officers to review and monitor problem accounts.
Required Background/Skills:	Graduate level academic concentration in finance (and/or work experience in a financial institution). Other requirements include exposure to and experience in spreadsheet and computer modeling.
Desired Additional Skills:	Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Office:	Small and Medium-Enterprise Finance (Enterprise Development Network) Internships
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	OPIC is seeking an intern to assist with the development and execution of a new public/private partnership called Enterprise Development Network (EDN). EDN is a strategic alliance between OPIC and the private sector designed to identify and fund developmental, creditworthy investment projects in emerging markets. The intern will be responsible for assisting in all aspect of developing EDN including gathering information, writing research papers, modeling financial information, communicating with private and public firms, and processing deals. The intern will be exposed to various stages of project development and a broad range of issues related to OPIC's credit approval process and strategic planning.
Required Background/Skills:	Requires academic concentration or work experience in finance and/or marketing. Experience in designing and developing private/public sector programs to support SMEs is a plus. Other requirements include experience with MS Excel and computer modeling.
Desired Additional Skills:	Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Insurance

Office:	Political Risk Insurance Internships
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	Perform insurance portfolio analysis, conduct research on underwriting issues and selected topics in international investment, assist Insurance officers with contract amendments and country risk profiles, and undertake business development and market research tasks.
Required Background/Skills:	A solid academic background in international affairs, business and economics and superior research and writing and oral communication skills.
Desired Additional Skills:	Computer literacy.

Investment Funds

Office:	Investment Funds Internships
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	Interns analyze and review materials on venture capital/private equity fund proposals; design and modify financial models; prepare written reports on current funds, research new financial structures and investment vehicles; and perform due diligence on proposed funds.
Required Background/Skills:	Computer modeling and spreadsheet experience, superior research skills, some experience in venture capital, direct equity or investment banking and a strong desire to expand that experience in the international venture capital industry.

Office:	Investment Funds Internships
Open To:	Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate
Duties:	Duties will include building queries, generating reports, designing screens in Microsoft Access and other duties as required.
Required Background/Skills:	Experience with Microsoft Access, Excel and Word and background in information systems design, development and maintenance.
Desired Additional Skills:	Understanding of accounting and finance, Corel Paradox and Delphi software.

Office:	Capital Markets Investment Funds
Open To:	Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate
Duties:	Capital markets interns will analyze financial market information and inter-relationships and maintain performance measures and statistics relating to OPIC's international project finance and investment funds transactions and their market behavior. Particular focus is placed on market pricing, performance of banks providing services to OPIC, determining investors in OPIC-guaranteed obligations and deal structuring practices and opportunities available to OPIC financial markets.
Required Background/Skills:	Academic concentrations in business and finance. Prior markets or banking experience is highly desirable. Facility with PC-based Excel spreadsheets and word processing is required.
Desired Additional Skills:	Advanced database management such as MS Access software skills are highly desirable for those interested in an internship with a focus in accounting.

Office of Economic Development

Office:	Information Center - Library
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	Provide a wide range of reference services to center patrons performing services related to business, economics, law, finance, marketing and related subjects, and perform special library projects as assigned.
Required Background/Skills:	Students with studies in library or information science are given first consideration.
Desired Additional Skills:	Skill in using Dialog, Lexis/Nexis, and/or other on-line business services.

Office:	Chief Economist
Open To:	Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate
Duties:	Interns in this group conduct research and analysis at the regional, country and sector levels for studies on the role of private investment in global economic development. These studies include mapping the size, components, key players and major challenges of a given industry (e.g., housing, renewable energy) as they relate to prospective OPIC investment initiatives. Interns also conduct research and analysis to produce briefings, working papers and analytical studies at the request of OPIC management and in support of priority agency initiatives. In addition, interns conduct research on the macroeconomic and institutional environment (country risk factors) at the regional and country levels.
Required Background/Skills:	Suitable academic background includes professional masters programs in economics/finance with an international focus. Strong research, analysis and writing skills are required.
Desired Additional Skills:	Foreign-language ability in Spanish, French or Arabic; statistical knowledge, including familiarity with statistical software.

Office:	Market Initiatives
Open To:	Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate
Duties:	Interns in this group conduct research and analysis at the regional, country and sector levels for studies on the role of private investment in global economic development. These studies include mapping the size, components, key players and major challenges of a given industry (e.g., housing, renewable energy) as they relate to prospective OPIC investment initiatives. Assist in identifying and defining strategic business and market opportunities based on information derived from research and analysis.
Required Background/Skills:	Minimum suitable academic background includes masters programs in economics, finance, or international affairs. Strong coursework in trade, finance, economics and/or development are required. Strong research, analysis and writing skills are also required.
Desired Additional Skills:	Foreign-language ability in Spanish, French or Arabic. Coursework and/or experience in international marketing.

Office of Investment Policy

Office:	Economic Impact Analysis Internship
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	This internship offers students the opportunity to apply their graduate training in the areas of development and trade economics as well as international finance, combining both private and public sector interests. Interns perform research and analyze the impact of potential investments in emerging markets and the U.S. economy. Interns will assess socio-economic development impacts of proposed investments. Interns will be assigned special projects such as in-depth research on particular countries and regions, or sectors of industry.
Required Background/Skills:	Student should be enrolled in a masters program studying economics, finance, international relations, development policy, or other related subjects. MBA students should have a concentration in Economics. Strong written, research, and oral communication skills are required.
Desired Additional Skills:	Ideal candidates include students with strong interest in development economics and trade policy. Individuals with initiative and ability to work independently are preferred. Writing sample will be required for interview.

Office:	Worker Rights Internship
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	Interns will help prepare in-depth reports on worker rights conditions, particularly those in OPIC-eligible countries, assist in performing worker rights and human rights reviews for individual projects proposed for OPIC insurance, investment funds, and finance. Interns may attend Congressional hearings and other public meetings.
Required Background/Skills:	Candidates should possess some knowledge of international labor and human rights issues, strong oral and written communications skills, as well as computer proficiency. Internet and library-based research skills and multi-tasking capabilities are essential.
Desired Additional Skills:	Intern candidates with initiative and the ability to work independently. Writing sample will be required for the interviewing process.

Office:	Environmental Internship
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	Interns perform research and conduct analysis of projects on host country, developmental effects, environmental, and workers safety issues. Interns will analyze developmental issues and environmental conditions included in OPIC's developmental and environmental assessments. OPIC projects range from natural resource industries, to manufacturing, mining, power generation, and tourism development.
Required Background/Skills:	Candidate should be enrolled in a Masters or Ph.D. program concentrating in Environmental Studies. MBA and JD candidates should have concentration in international environmental issues. Strong research, writing, and oral communication skills are required.
Desired Additional Skills:	Ideal candidates include students working towards a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies. Individuals with initiative and ability to work independently are preferred. Writing sample will be required for interview.

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Office:	Portfolio Management Division
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	Interns serve as junior financial analysts and can be involved in all stages of monitoring a portfolio of small to large loans as part of a Project Team. Interns may review financial statements, analyze models of projected project cash flows, research various policy issues, prepare country economic and political risk analyses, prepare credit reviews of outstanding loans and work with Investment Officers to review and monitor problem accounts.
Required Background/Skills:	Graduate level academic concentration in finance (and/or work experience in a financial institution). Other requirements include exposure to and experience in spreadsheet and computer modeling.
Desired Additional Skills:	Excellent oral and written communication skills/Basic familiarity with Excel, Word and Access or equivalent.

Office:	OCIO - Information Security Management
Open To:	Graduate and Upper Level Undergraduate
Duties:	Under the guidance of the Information Systems Security Officer, the intern will assist with various projects related to Information Security management. Such projects may include participation in security awareness activities, design and implementation of security measures (both technical and procedural), analysis of federal security requirements, system security documentation, and security testing. Intern will gain an understanding of security requirements in the federal environment as well as general security best practices.
Required Background/Skills:	Background and coursework in information technology, good oral and written communication skills. Background and/or coursework related to computer security preferred.
Desired Additional Skills:	Ability to work independently, follow directions, and complete work as assigned.

Office:	OCIO - Information Technology Management Support
Open To:	Graduate and Undergraduate
Duties:	Under the guidance of the Telecommunications Officer and Help Desk Manager, the intern will assist with tracking of call tickets, participate in IT asset management, assist with telecommunications, and contribute to information technology projects and activities.
Required Background/Skills:	Background and coursework in information technology, desire to pursue an information technology career.
Desired Additional Skills:	Good oral and written communication skills, ability to complete work as assigned.

Office:	Risk Management and Analysis Internship
Open To:	Graduate
Duties:	Responsibilities include providing assistance in (i) establishing global risk measurement and management methodologies with respect to regional, country, sector and customer concentrations, (ii) reviewing portfolio models and determining their applicability to OPIC, and (iii) other risk management responsibilities. Intern will obtain exposure to transactions in all of OPIC's product lines. This internship provides a unique opportunity for an intern to get a global view of OPIC.
Required Background/Skills:	Intern candidate should be enrolled in a Masters in Finance, an MBA or JD program. MBA students should have a concentration in International Finance and a strong interest in risk management. Strong writing, research, and oral communication skills are required.
Desired Additional Skills:	Financial and portfolio modeling experience for MBA students. Intern candidates with initiative and ability to work independently are preferred. Writing samples will be required for interview.
Office:	Human Resources Management
Open To:	Upper Level Undergraduate
Duties:	OPIC is seeking an intern to work in its Human Resources Management Office. Some of the duties that a Human Resources Management intern may perform include: Conducting various research assignments, analyzing information and preparing presentations in various formats spreadsheets, charts, graphs, narrative, etc.); Preparing correspondence, developing organization charts, and responding to requests for information; Providing budgetary and financial management support to HRM policy staff; Scanning and organizing classification documents electronically and in paper format; Providing logistical support for meetings, training events, and an agency wide health-fair.
Required Background/Skills:	Advanced PC skills in spreadsheets, powerpoint and word-processing software packages; especially, Microsoft Windows and Office products.
Desired Additional Skills:	Background and coursework in information technology or computer science. Superior writing, research, and communication skills. Students with an interest in a human resource environment, learning about the administrative, business and personnel area of a busy 200+ person agency are invited to apply.