Internship Scheme

About NLGN
NLGN is both a dynamic and independent think tank and a collaborative network. We are committed to promoting the decentralisation of power, public service reform, enhancing local governance and empowering communities. Through expert research and our diverse networks we seek to influence the political and policy agenda. Our organisation has an excellent history of finding new talent and previous interns have gone on to excel in many aspects of local government and policy.


Research Internship Scheme

Our Research Internship Scheme is designed for candidates to gain experience of the thinktank environment and to contribute to applied research and local policy-making.

Ideally, we are looking for graduates of any discipline with an interest in current affairs and social policy along with sympathy for our aims of democratic decentralisation and innovative policy solutions. Our internships are primarily research based and give a unique and valuable insight into policy making, local government services and rigorous research methodologies.

NLGN values highly the contribution made by its interns and is looking for candidates who:

• Have a strong aptitude and skills-base for contributing to research

• Enjoy critical reasoning in a practical context and have strong reading and writing skills

• Are keen to help develop new innovative public policy ideas and promote local democratic engagement

• Are comfortable working independently and as part of a small team

• Are keen to learn new skills

As a not-for-profit organisation we regret that internships are unpaid but we are able to offer subsistence and travel allowance.

We currently have no internship opportunities available. Email Daria Kuznetsova with any questions. email Daria.


Communications and Networks Internship Scheme

About the scheme
This internship will give candidates valuable and practical insight into communications, media, marketing, events management and exposure to public policy and stakeholder engagement.

This position will report directly to NLGN’s Communications Manager and will work closely with our Networks Manager.

Job description

Press and communications
• Media monitoring
• Compiling e-clippings
• Maintaining the NGLN contact database
• Media research projects
• Updating the website and web analytics
• Assisting the coordination of bloggers and contributing personally to our Innovation Blog
• Supporting the Communications Manager with general tasks

NLGN Networks
Supporting the Networks Manager by:
• Compiling member email products such as the Newsbrief and Policy Round-up
• Member events
• Our Pop Tank (Pop-up think tank) programme
• Updating the members area of the website

Events management
• Compiling invite lists of relevant stakeholders for our events
• Supporting the coordination of event invitations, registration and communications
• Event logistics and on-the-day management
• Any follow-up communications from the event

As a dynamic and innovative organisation, projects and tasks will inevitably come up that interns, as will the entire NLGN team, will be asked to support.

Interns will also have ample opportunity to pursue their own interests, whether it is ad-hoc research, press liaison or other areas of communications and partnership management.

Skills and experience

Required:

• Strong communications skills
• Excellent IT skills – including an working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook
• Dynamic approach to problem solving
• Experience of working independently and as part of a small team
• Able to learn and apply new communications and technical skills quickly
• A confident and helpful manner when dealing with our partners
• Passion for developing a greater understanding of public policy and supporting the work of a leading think-tank
• Desire to learn and a strong interest in the local government sector

Desirable

• Experience of contact database management and general data management
• Experience of public affairs or public sector communications
• Experience of using WordPress web publishing software
• Degree in a subject relevant to our work

Please email rsvp@nlgn.org.uk with your CV and cover letter outlining your skills, abilities and interest in an internship at NLGN.