Moyo Gemstones Project Intern
Job Locations US-DC
Job ID 2019-1362
At
the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit
international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on
the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are
challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities
because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do
this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local
organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and
resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and
vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international
development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including
public health, capacity development, governance and civil society,
natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and
evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more.
This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which
focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.
Recommended:
Free
CV Writing and Download, Cover/Job Application Letters, Interview
Questions and It's Best Answers plus Examples. Click Here
Department
Pact
Ventures (PV) - Pact Ventures is Pact’s impact investing team where we
deploy capital in unique ways that leverage the strengths of a
development organization to scale and deliver impact through new models.
We approach development and impact investing through a different lens,
exploring how private capital and market-based mechanisms can be
incentivized to solve complex social problems in collaboration with our
core development projects. We focus on the key sectors and geographies
in which Pact operates, including: health, financial inclusion, energy,
livelihoods, and sustainable supply chains in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin
America, and Southeast Asia. Pact Ventures seeks to leverage private
sector partnerships to deploy new programming that is rooted in
development but tests a fundamentally different approach to solving key
social challenges. We seek to build sustainable, market-driven models
that address these issues by partnering with those that can provide
services most needed by bottom-of-the-pyramid consumers. We are nimble
and agile, capable of testing different approaches, pivoting when
necessary, and structuring innovative financing models as needed. To
date, we have financed a PRI-like grant to fund innovation, provided
subordinated debt to a fast-growing global fintech company, and explored
joint ventures with strategic corporate partners. You can learn about
other projects on our website:
https://www.pactworld.org/country/pact-ventures.
Position Overview
Application Deadline: January 12, 2020
About Moyo Gems:
In collaboration with the Tanzania Women’s Miner Association,
international gemstone brokers ANZA and Nineteen48, and global
technology enterprise Everledger, Pact launched Moyo Gems in 2019 to
build a sustainable end-to-end value chain for artisanal and small-scale
female gemstone miners (ASM).
The
colored gemstone sector remains relatively behind as compared to other
mining sectors in terms of ethical sourcing mechanisms. This is partly
due to the complex and fragmented nature of the industry. Despite the
luxury image of precious stones, 80-90% of colored gemstones are mined
by individuals using only hand tools and physical strength, as compared
to only 20% of diamonds and gold. Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM)
serve as the anonymous base of the global jewelry supply chain. ASM
carry out dangerous work and are marginalized in society, facing
cultural, systemic and legal barriers to achieving stable livelihoods.
Insufficient mining knowledge, lack of transparent pricing, and limited
opportunities for technical skill-building contribute to their economic
instability.
In
2016, Pact began to work with GIA to address these challenges. We
provided ASM in Tanzania a highly visual education on gem
identification, valuation, and handling, which led to a 3-5x increase in
miner incomes. Despite this, miners voiced market access as a key
obstacle to further progress. Without consistent points of sale and
transparency into market demand, miners lose the opportunity to capture
the fair value of gemstone prices. At the same time, industry pressure
is building to identify ethical sources of gemstones that exhibit a base
level of social responsibility and local benefit.
Addressing the need expressed by miners and leveraging the mounting global interest in ethical sourcing, Pact and its partners launched Moyo Gems (“Moyo”) to build a sustainable sourcing model for colored gemstones. Moyo supports colored gemstone ASM to meet a responsible mining standard and connects them with international gem markets. It has three core components: 1) training miners on safe, efficient, and value add mining practices, 2) facilitating achievement of legal compliances for miners, and 3) enabling opportunities for consistent and transparent market access. Pact invites miners through the membership base of local mining organizations to participate in Moyo. Miners receive training on mining best practices, health and safety, and legal and compliance support. Once compliant, they can attend quarterly “Market Days” where they directly negotiate gemstone prices with international, regional, and local gem brokers. Pact certifies miners’ standards and international brokers purchase vetted gemstones for their client base. To date, Moyo has supported more than 200 ASM in Tanzania through three Market Days.
Position Purpose:
Moyo is seeking a part-time intern to support its growth as it moves from an innovative pilot to expansion mode. This internship is for academic credit only and is not a paid position. Moyo seeks someone with an appetite to learn and contribute, open to engaging in a wide range of the team’s work.
Key Responsibilities
In this role you’ll be embedded in Moyo, working alongside the team on anything from market research and analysis to managing Market Day planning logistics and creating onboarding materials for new participants. This could include, but is not limited to:
Market Research: Conduct market research on Moyo’s growth priorities, including new gemstone buying and selling models, cutting-edge ASM mining practices, and new financing models; monitor and compile relevant information on themes/trends in sustainable supply chains and the responsible jewelry sector
Data Analysis: Compile data collected during Market Days and R&M visits, organizing in clear manner and conducting high-level analysis to show trends and key learnings; develop surveys for future data collection
Project Management: Develop workplans and other materials to manage complex operations, including timeline and individual roles / responsibilities; execute specific work streams from start to finish, keeping relevant stakeholders informed and on track
Business Development: Prepare pitch books and donor proposals, including PowerPoint slides, word docs, and budgets to solicit external funding for Moyo
Communications: Draft social media posts, thought pieces, and/or blogs that share Moyo’s work with both internal and external audiences
In addition to contributing to Moyo’s growth, the internship provides a valuable learning opportunity for a professional interested in a career in sustainable supply chains, innovation, blended finance, and/or public-private partnerships. The internship period is flexible, ideally starting as soon as possible. Number of hours and specific schedule will be determined in conversation with potential candidates. Candidates can either be based in Washington DC or work remotely with regular check-ins.
Basic Requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated interest in and experience with responsible jewelry and/or mining industry
Experience in international development (e.g. program delivery) and/or in East Africa where Moyo operates (preference for Tanzania experience)
Pact
is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its
selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color,
religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual
orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability,
genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information,
matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit
information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an
employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit
factors.
Read Also:
Addressing the need expressed by miners and leveraging the mounting global interest in ethical sourcing, Pact and its partners launched Moyo Gems (“Moyo”) to build a sustainable sourcing model for colored gemstones. Moyo supports colored gemstone ASM to meet a responsible mining standard and connects them with international gem markets. It has three core components: 1) training miners on safe, efficient, and value add mining practices, 2) facilitating achievement of legal compliances for miners, and 3) enabling opportunities for consistent and transparent market access. Pact invites miners through the membership base of local mining organizations to participate in Moyo. Miners receive training on mining best practices, health and safety, and legal and compliance support. Once compliant, they can attend quarterly “Market Days” where they directly negotiate gemstone prices with international, regional, and local gem brokers. Pact certifies miners’ standards and international brokers purchase vetted gemstones for their client base. To date, Moyo has supported more than 200 ASM in Tanzania through three Market Days.
Position Purpose:
Moyo is seeking a part-time intern to support its growth as it moves from an innovative pilot to expansion mode. This internship is for academic credit only and is not a paid position. Moyo seeks someone with an appetite to learn and contribute, open to engaging in a wide range of the team’s work.
Key Responsibilities
In this role you’ll be embedded in Moyo, working alongside the team on anything from market research and analysis to managing Market Day planning logistics and creating onboarding materials for new participants. This could include, but is not limited to:
Market Research: Conduct market research on Moyo’s growth priorities, including new gemstone buying and selling models, cutting-edge ASM mining practices, and new financing models; monitor and compile relevant information on themes/trends in sustainable supply chains and the responsible jewelry sector
Data Analysis: Compile data collected during Market Days and R&M visits, organizing in clear manner and conducting high-level analysis to show trends and key learnings; develop surveys for future data collection
Project Management: Develop workplans and other materials to manage complex operations, including timeline and individual roles / responsibilities; execute specific work streams from start to finish, keeping relevant stakeholders informed and on track
Business Development: Prepare pitch books and donor proposals, including PowerPoint slides, word docs, and budgets to solicit external funding for Moyo
Communications: Draft social media posts, thought pieces, and/or blogs that share Moyo’s work with both internal and external audiences
In addition to contributing to Moyo’s growth, the internship provides a valuable learning opportunity for a professional interested in a career in sustainable supply chains, innovation, blended finance, and/or public-private partnerships. The internship period is flexible, ideally starting as soon as possible. Number of hours and specific schedule will be determined in conversation with potential candidates. Candidates can either be based in Washington DC or work remotely with regular check-ins.
Read Also:
Basic Requirements
- Completed Bachelor’s degree with focus on or exposure to international development, responsible supply chains, sustainability, and/or social entrepreneurship
- Current graduate student (must currently be enrolled in a Masters or post-Masters’ level program)
- Ability to receive academic credit for the Winter 2019 / Spring 2020 semester (specifications and requirements of the concerned academic institution to be discussed)
- Minimum of 3 years work experience, ideally in roles with significant project leadership and analytical responsibilities in related industries (e.g. logistics, supply chain management, management consulting, etc.)
- Driven and collaborative team player
- Detail-oriented, able to keep track of many moving parts and to speak up if key items aren’t being addressed
- High degree of flexibility and adaptability with an openness to engaging in the broad range of Moyo’s work
- Ability to work independently
- Highly analytical with strong quantitative and research capabilities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including quickly researching and synthesizing unfamiliar topics
- Comfort in conducting analyses in Excel and presenting complex concepts in PowerPoint
- Demonstrated passion for social impact and sustainability
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated interest in and experience with responsible jewelry and/or mining industry
Experience in international development (e.g. program delivery) and/or in East Africa where Moyo operates (preference for Tanzania experience)
Read Also:
