Jersey Overseas Aid, Jersey’s official, publicly-funded aid and development agency, is searching for the tenth candidate for its prestigious 18-month internship programme.
Jersey Overseas Aid’s (JOA) talent development scheme gives people in Jersey their first opportunity to embark on a career in International Development, a hugely rewarding but notoriously difficult sector to enter.
This paid ‘Programme Associate’ role gives someone from Jersey the chance to spend eighteen months learning the ropes with the professionals, including six months on assignment in a developing country. Run in partnership with leading UK charities, the scheme will give someone the skills and experience necessary to enable them to take frontline roles with international relief and development organisations.
“One of JOA’s goals is not just to help the world’s poor, but to enable people from Jersey to help them. This is why we fund Jersey charities working overseas, it’s why we send volunteers abroad, and it’s why we support islanders to pursue a career in International Development. It’s been great to see passionate, hardworking islanders move through the programme and into roles with international charities or the United Nations,” said Chair of the JOA Commission, Deputy Carolyn Labey.
All of JOA’s Programme Associates have gone on to secure employment in the International Development sector. Two former Programme Associates are currently employed by the United Nations, while Harriet Hall, who was JOA’s Programme Associate in 2021-2022 joined JOA as Monitoring and Impact Officer, following six months in Jordan with HelpAge as part of her placement.
Meredith Richards is the latest Programme Associate to join the JOA team. She will soon be embarking on her year-long placement with charity, Street Child, one of the world’s fastest growing international children’s charities. She said: “I’d recommend this role to anyone who values the challenge of variety, and the privilege of being a small part of meaningful donorship that makes a huge impact. If you’re not sure whether to apply or not – as long as you have a passion for people – do it; you might surprise yourself with what you’re capable of.”
Pictured: Harriet Hall, a former JOA intern who is now JOA’s monitoring and impact officer
