MicroTest Intern, Philadelphia Development Partnership

Posted by on March 22, 2010

PHILADELPHIA DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP

POSITION:             MicroTest Intern
INTERNSHIP DATES:     May – August 2010 (≈10-week duration)
HOURS:             40 hours per week
COMPENSATION:         Stipend: $4,000.00
REPORTS TO:         Executive Director, PDP

BACKGROUND:
The Philadelphia Development Partnership (PDP) is a private nonprofit organization with a mission to cultivate and promote successful microenterprises, creating economic prosperity and employment in distressed communities throughout the Philadelphia region. PDP provides a comprehensive array of microloan products and business development services to 400 individuals annually to help them establish, stabilize or expand their small businesses.  To learn more about PDP, please visit our website: http://www.pdp-inc.org.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The primary responsibility of the intern will be to assist PDP with the collection of client outcomes data using MicroTest tools and data collection protocols. MicroTest offers a simple but powerful tool for conducting outcomes tracking surveys of microenterprise programs’ clients. Additional projects and experiences designed to contribute to PDP and further the intern’s knowledge of the domestic microenterprise field will be assigned—time permitting.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
•    Attend Citigroup Microenterprise Researcher Internship webinar orientation and close-out meetings through the Aspen Institute (mandatory).
•    Work with the Project Manager to develop program research design, workplan and procedures according to MicroTest protocols.
•    Assist in new data collection activities, including selecting a random client sample, preparing contact information, alerting clients of potential interviews, conducting phone surveys for impact measurement, and consolidating data for MicroTest reports.
•    Assist in client follow-up, data cleaning and verification activities.
•    Assist in framing significant issues, data analysis and report development—time permitting.
•    Prepare materials for presentation of findings to PDP staff and Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.

EDUCATION, INTEREST, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:
•    Graduate students, between their first and second years of graduate studies, are strongly preferred.  Senior-level undergraduate students will also be considered if qualified.
•    Pursuing a degree in public administration, planning, business administration, economics or related field.
•    Demonstrated experience and/or coursework in research methods.
•    Proven strong skills in communication, survey or interviewing and Excel.
•    Detail-oriented, highly organized and interested in pursuing a career that addresses domestic poverty and/or economic inequality.
•    Available during the period of May through August 2010—preferably a few weeks earlier for a half-day orientation prior to start date.
•    Familiarity with and/or knowledge of the Greater Philadelphia area preferred.

TO APPLY: Please e-mail a brief cover letter and resume with references to Leslie Benoliel, Philadelphia Development Partnership at lbenoliel@pdp-inc.org with subject heading “MicroTest Intern Application.”  Considered applicants will be contacted for an interview.

PHILADELPHIA DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIP IS AFFILIATED WITH THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA URBAN AFFAIRS COALITION (GPUAC).