How to Apply: Interested and qualified? Go to Danish Refugee Council on drc.ngo to apply.
Show Your Data Skills in a Humanitarian Context
This internship is your chance to turn classroom knowledge into real-world impact. Hiring managers will look for practical experience with data tools and a clear understanding of how information drives decisions in humanitarian settings.
1. Tailor your CV to data and IM: Highlight any coursework, projects, or volunteer work involving databases, spreadsheets, or data visualization. Use specific examples like building a dashboard in PowerBI or cleaning a dataset in Excel.
2. Master the core tools: Be ready to demonstrate proficiency in Excel, SQL, and PowerBI. Practice common tasks like pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, writing queries, and creating interactive dashboards.
3. Understand the humanitarian context: Familiarize yourself with how NGOs collect and use data in the field. Mention any exposure to MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) or humanitarian response in your application.
4. Prepare for a technical test: Many IM roles include a practical assessment. Expect to be given a dataset and asked to clean it, analyze it, and present findings. Practice with sample data from sources like HDX (Humanitarian Data Exchange).
5. Show attention to data quality: Emphasize your ability to spot errors, handle missing data, and ensure accuracy. Give examples of times you caught mistakes or improved data reliability.
6. Highlight your communication skills: Since you'll support staff and create reports, show that you can explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences. Mention any experience writing user guides or giving training.
7. Demonstrate your learning mindset: This is an internship, so show eagerness to learn and adapt. Talk about how you've picked up new tools quickly or taken online courses to improve your skills.
8. Align with DRC's mission: Research Danish Refugee Council's work and values. In your cover letter, connect your interest in data to their mission of protecting refugees and displaced people.