Ashoka invites a select group of graduate students from top American universities to work with leading social entrepreneurs that are pioneering Hybrid Value Chains (HVC) around the globe. Hybrid Value Chains
bring business and social entrepreneurship together to serve base of the pyramid markets in housing, healthcare, agriculture, energy, and other critical sectors.
Students will work closely with social entrepreneurs and Ashoka teams in countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, India and others. Selected students can choose between two available opportunities. They can choose to work and contribute to the start-up, implementation, or scaling-up strategies of Ashoka social entrepreneurs who are serving low-income producers and consumers through sustainable, system-changing business models. Alternatively, students can choose to work directly with the Ashoka HVC in-country team on the country-level strategy and scaling-up operations.
All positions will require business acumen in areas such as business strategy, marketing, finance, and business development.
Additionally, students will convene for a one day teleconference Graduate Summer Program orientation to include coaching on working with social entrepreneurs and in-country preparation.
Overview:
- Interns will be expected to work full-time for a minimum of 10 weeks from June through August. Most of the work will be on-site, directly working with social entrepreneurs or the Ashoka HVC teams in the field.
- Each intern will be expected to produce a set of pre-determined deliverables relevant to the needs of the social entrepreneur and Ashoka. Potential deliverables may include feasibility studies, business plans, marketing plans, and/or similar studies focusing on Hybrid Value Chain implementation.
Requirements:
- Graduate and Business School students who have completed at least one year of studies
- Proficiency in the language of the host country (English for India)
- Previous experience in management consulting strongly preferred
Strong interest in economic and small enterprise development, and social entrepreneurship
- Strong conceptual and analytical skills
- Entrepreneurial and creative problem solver
- Experience in developing countries a plus
- Ability to secure funding for participation in the program (Travel & Stipend)
Benefits to interns:
- Knowledge and practical experience with base of the pyramid or inclusive businesses and the Hybrid Value Chain Model
- Inclusion in Ashoka's community working to advance Full Economic Citizenship through business-social ventures
- Exposure to innovative citizen sector organizations serving the poor through sustainable business models
- Potential academic credit available. Additional information upon request
- Selected deliverables produced under this program may be selected for inclusion in an Ashoka publication on Full Economic Citizenship, distributed to top Social Entrepreneurship Academics through the University Network, or presented in a conference
Application process:
Applicants should submit the following documents to fec@ashoka.org:
- Resume
- Cover letter in the language of country of interest (English for India), addressing interest and suitability for the position
- Applications and interviews are conducted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply before end of March.
For additional information please contact Stephanie Savell ssavell@ashoka.org.
Funding:
- Students are expected to secure the core financing of their participation through their universities or other sources.
- In some cases, social entrepreneurs may cover lodging and food expenses.
