The Internship Program of the Middle East Office of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs) welcomes interns who have a special interest in one or several hbs program areas. The Internship Program intends to provide an opportunity for students and young researchers to get hand-on practical experience in the field of international development work. Interns will learn about hbs activities, gain practical work and research experience, and / or make use of this opportunity for their degree dissertation. At the same time interns are expected to contribute to hbs activities with their knowledge and ideas. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Lebanon is an interesting but also a challenging environment. For reasons partly related to the volatile political situation, the Middle East Office Internship Program strongly encourages applicants to familiarize themselves with the challenges of an extended stay in such an environment prior to submitting an application. Applicants should highlight any previous experience in living in similarly challenging conditions. The Middle East Office Internship Program will provide applicants with further information upon request. 

Who would be the best candidate for an internship with the Heinrich Böll Stiftung?

Advanced students with a study focus and research interest in hbs program areas are ideal candidates for an internship with the hbs. This includes students of political, social and environmental sciences, economics, law, media, cultural and area studies. Local and international students are equally eligible for an internship.

Applicants should propose a research activity or project which they would like to pursue during the internship. Such an activity should be related to hbs’ programmatic focus areas. Our team will be happy to discuss proposed research ideas and projects, lend support through contacts and information, and potentially incorporate aspects of such a project into our program.

Applicants who do not express explicit interest in at least one specific program component and/or do not suggest a project of their own will only be considered if their general background is compatible with hbs’ general line of work and the desired time slot happens to coincide with the research and conceptualization phase of one of our own projects.

Please note: Providing a proposal for a project of your own will significantly enhance your chances of acceptance.

What types of documentation and information should be included in an application?

The application should consist of two basic documents: the cover letter and the curriculum vitae.

The cover letter should include summary background information on the applicant. More importantly, it must contain an explanation of the applicant’s motivation for an internship with hbs and it must highlight a proposal for a research activity/ project that the applicant aspires to undertake during the stay with hbs (see above). Providing a thematic outline of the research activity and linking it to current studies or future career plans would strengthen the application. Applicants must make sure that they state length and time period for the internship. 

The curriculum vitae should be updated and precise, providing an overview of the educational background, previous professional experience, and social and political engagement if applicable.

What benefits do we offer?

The hbs offers interns to be part of an exciting and challenging work environment, and provides an opportunity to build a network of contacts with activists, development workers, and artists in Lebanon and the region. Interns will receive guidance and support during their research, and will be in a position to gain first-hand information on development, social and political issues from the hbs team and our partner organizations. Unfortunately no travel expenses can be covered. We do not organize for the accommodation of interns, but we will assist interns throughout their search. In exceptional cases, research and conceptual work performed for the benefit of our program may receive a modest remuneration.

Time slots and deadlines for applications

hbs hosts interns only during the time periods February-June and September-November of each year. Submission deadlines are as follows:

February-June period: 30 September

September-November period: 30 April

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the selection process latest 6 weeks after the deadline (15 November and 15 June respectively). This applies to all candidates regardless of the outcome of the selection process. Please note that a typical duration for an internship with hbs is 2 months. An internship may exceed the duration of 2 months, if the applicant clearly explains the expected benefits of a prolonged stay on the research/ learning purpose. The entire duration of an internship with HBF cannot exceed 3 months. 

How to apply

Send an email to boell@terra.net.lb with the subject “application for internship”. Make sure to attach the cover letter and CV either in PDF or word format. Applications are not supposed to be directed to or address any particular person at hbs.