Managing Director Policy Analyst Intern (Remote)

Intern – Canada Managing Director’s Office

WES Internship Program

World Education Services (WES) needs fresh and diverse insights to support its mission of advancing global mobility and integration of people into academic and professional settings.

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places. For more information about WES, please visit our website at www.WES.org.  

The WES Internship Program:

We are looking for an Intern to support the ongoing work of the Managing Director’s Office in Canada (CMDO). As a CMDO intern, you will contribute on a range of issues impacting immigrants, refugees, and international students. Your work will be supervised by senior leaders in the Managing Director’s Office, including the Senior Director of Strategy, Policy and Research, and Senior Director of Government Relations and Planning. You can expect to build skills and work experience in policy advocacy, strategy development, government relations, and stakeholder management in an organization committed to learning, and incorporating diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and justice (DEIBJ) into our practice.  

We are currently accepting applications for the summer period (May - August 2025).

What We Offer:

• A chance to work with passionate and mission-driven leaders.
• Opportunities to put theory from the classroom into practice at work.
• Friendly colleagues and lots of networking opportunities
• Training and development opportunities including access to LinkedIn Learning and customized learning plans
• Competitive compensation: $24 an hour

This Internship Role:

Description:

The intern will support the team with current and new research projects, policy analysis, and the development of strategic recommendations to relevant stakeholders, advancing equitable labour market outcomes and social integration of immigrants into Canada’s social fabric.

We encourage prospective interns to learn more about WES Canada’s social impact activities, including work with partners, research and policy advocacy, and philanthropy. 

Duties included but not limited to:

 Policy Analysis 

• Monitor research, news, government policies, programs, legislation, and other information relevant to migration to Canada, international students, and skilled immigrant labour market integration.
•  Conduct literature reviews and produce in-depth environmental scans and landscape studies.
•  Support the development of policy-related materials for a range of audiences: reports, position papers, briefing notes, submissions, talking points, infographics, blogs, and other materials.

 Data and Research Collection

• Aid in data collection through primary (e.g. surveys, interviews) and secondary (e.g. literature reviews) sources, extracting and compiling relevant information from documents, data and statistical analysis, research writing, summary
• Assist with the development of presentations.

 External & Stakeholder Engagement  

• Identify strategic external engagement and public affairs opportunities throughout Canada (e.g. consultation opportunities, conferences, seminars, and events) that are aligned with organizational policy goals.
• Prepare background materials, presentation decks, and speaking points in preparation of external engagements, presenting information in a clear and concise manner for senior leadership to supporting effective participation and decision-making.

 Administrative Support

• Provide administrative support as needed in drafting communications such as emails, PowerPoint decks, infographics, and agendas for key stakeholder meetings.
• Assist in logistics management of internal and external meetings and interviews with select allies and stakeholders; maintain requisite documentation and follow up items.

The Ideal Candidate will:

• Have a commitment to advancing the economic inclusion of immigrants, refugees and international students and a strong commitment to WES’ mission.
• Have a strong understanding and/or experience of issues relating to immigration.
• Be an action-oriented person who is a self-starter and can work independently, as well as in a team.
• Have a deep-rooted intellectual curiosity and openness to diverse ideas and perspectives.
• Thrive in an environment that values transparency, collaboration, and an orientation for results.
• Build collaborative working relationships with colleagues and external partners.
• Have strong time management skills and work ethic; able to effectively manage several tasks and meet collaboratively set deadlines.
• Asset: Exposure to issues related to international students, healthcare workers or skilled trades.

Requirements:

• Current student enrolled in master's level educational program in a relevant field of study.
• Competent with basic data analysis, tabulation, and graphing.
• Strong research and writing competencies.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.); comfortable preparing presentations.

Working Conditions:

The intern will work remotely alongside WES staff (located across Canada and the U.S.) who are also working remotely. This internship is open to candidates from British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, or Nova Scotia. Interns who are based near our Toronto Office can enjoy the flexibility of working in the office or at home. WES’ Toronto office has a shared, open office environment with break-out and meeting rooms and light to moderate noise.

Hours:          Full-time, 35 hours a week with flexible working options

Duration:      May - August 2025 

Rate of Pay: $24 / hr

Application Deadline: 14th Feb 2025

Application Process:

• Please submit a resume and a cover letter indicating your strengths for this internship. In addition, explain how this internship can contribute to your career goals.  (maximum 1 page each), in MS Word or PDF format.

Our Commitment:

• At World Education Services, we're committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the rich tapestry of our communities, both in the US and Canada. This commitment is underscored by our unwavering dedication to providing equal opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics. This commitment extends to every aspect of employment, from recruitment and hiring to promotions, training, and benefits. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. For us, diversity goes beyond compliance – it's about embracing unique perspectives and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to reach their full potential.
• If you require assistance and/or accommodation at any point during the recruitment process, please contact us at hiring@wes.org, we're here to support you. Our Talent Acquisition team is happy to work with you to find solutions that meet your needs.
• For more information about WES, please visit our website at WES.org.