Volunteer and Intern

Communications and Public Relations Interns are integral to the World Food Prize Foundation Communications Team. Interns will help raise awareness of the Foundation’s programs and activities through various communication projects in public relations, social media, marketing and production. The Communications and Public Relations Intern works closely with the Communications Program Senior Managers and other Communications team members to meaningfully tell the story of the Foundation to the public.

Responsibilities include: 

• Writing and editing various materials, including press releases, articles and newsletters;
• Developing and executing social media posts and campaigns on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn;
• Designing social media graphics within the Foundation’s branding
• Researching and developing targeted media lists;
• Marketing and promoting World Food Prize Foundation events;
• Updating webpages and writing web copy;
• Supporting the Communications team’s projects with background research, administrative tasks and other work as needed.

The ideal candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to multitask and meet deadlines, and a willingness to express new ideas while working as a team. Prior knowledge of public relations, journalism, social media, writing or other related disciplines is highly desirable for this role, but the selected candidate will receive ample training and support to integrate their skills into the team. Experience using various social media platforms, schedulers like Sprout Social, email builders like Constant Contact, web management software, and/or Canva is a plus.

The World Food Prize Foundation Communications Team is seeking a Graphic Design Intern who is passionate about the Foundation’s mission and interested in building their portfolio with a globally recognized nonprofit. Interns will work closely with the Program Coordinator, Communications and Graphic Design to exemplify our brand to the public.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Creating and designing print and digital materials;
• Developing social media graphics that can be formatted and shared across all Foundation platforms;
• Updating website content;
• Designing layouts from scratch and preparing final files to send to the printer;
• Adhering to Foundation brand guidelines and completing projects according to deadlines;
• Supporting the Communications team’s projects with background research, administrative tasks, and other work as needed.

The ideal candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills, the ability to multitask and meet deadlines, and a willingness to express new ideas while working as a team. Strong graphic design skills and prior experience working in the Adobe Creative Suite is a must. Additional visual communication skills such as videography, photography and social media are a plus.

The World Food Prize Foundation is seeking a Social Media and Writing Intern who is passionate about storytelling and interested in sharpening their skills with a globally recognized nonprofit. Interns will work closely with the communications department to help translate complex global food security issues into compelling content for diverse audiences.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Drafting and editing content for Foundation social media channels and digital platforms
• Assisting with content planning and scheduling across the World Food Prize Foundation and Hall of Laureates social media accounts
• Writing copy for website updates, newsletters, event promotions and digital campaigns
• Supporting coverage of Foundation programs and events through live posting, interviews and content capture as needed
• Assisting with basic photo and video selection, captioning and formatting for social platforms
• Conducting background research to support communications projects and storytelling
• Supporting the Communications department with administrative tasks and other duties as needed

The ideal candidate will have strong written communication skills, attention to detail and the ability to write clearly for different audiences and platforms. 

Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, meeting deadlines and collaborating as part of a team. Familiarity with major social media platforms is required. Experience with basic content creation tools, photography, video or analytics is a plus.

Every year, the Global Programs and Strategic Engagements team at the World Food Prize Foundation plans and coordinates the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, otherwise known as the Borlaug Dialogue. This conference attracts foreign dignitaries, heads of state, as well as experts in global food insecurity, agriculture, technological innovation and policy from around the world. This team also plans and implements the Iowa Hunger Summit, which brings together Iowans from around the state to collectively eradicate hunger. Global Programs and Strategic Engagements Interns are highly qualified undergraduate or graduate students who will have the opportunity to assist in the planning of the Borlaug Dialogue and the Iowa Hunger Summit. Interns develop insight into the logistics associated with event planning while gaining management experience. Interns are organized, problem-solvers and self-starters. Internship duties may include: 

• Assist with research on speakers, panel topics and emerging issues relevant to the Foundation’s work, guiding programmatic selection and outcomes 
• Research and support outreach to new and prospective audiences, enhancing event engagement at and impact of the Borlaug Dialogue, Iowa Hunger Summit and other World Food Prize Foundation events
• Provide on-site support for event execution, improving stakeholder engagement while interacting with food security leaders from around the state, country and world
• Support post-event activities, including evaluations, surveys, thank-you notes and document retention, contributing to the annual improvement of events
• Assist in supporting exhibit booth hosts at the Iowa Hunger Summit and Borlaug Dialogue

The ideal candidate will have a strong academic background, a passion for addressing global food insecurity issues, an ability to thrive in fast-paced environments, impeccable attention to detail and excellent oral and written communication skills.

This intern, housed with the Global Programs and Strategic Engagements team, will work on the side events for the Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue, Iowa Hunger Summit, Top Agri-food Pioneers (TAP) and Innovate for Impact Challenge. 

The intern will develop insight into the logistics associated with event planning while gaining experience with an AgTech pitch competition. The intern must be organized, extremely detail-oriented and comfortable using Excel spreadsheets. Individual tasks may include: 

• Answer email questions related to the Top Agri-food Pioneers and Innovate for Impact Challenge programs
• Research individuals submitted to be recognized as Top Agri-food Pioneers, including their current and past work
• Research companies applying for the Innovate for Impact Challenge, including their technology and funding stage
• Track communications, logistics and decisions related to Borlaug Dialogue side events
• Support stakeholder engagement
• Support post-program survey creation and data analysis

The ideal candidate is a highly qualified undergraduate or graduate student with a strong academic background, a passion for addressing global food insecurity issues, a capacity for analytical and problem-solving thinking, impeccable attention to detail and excellent oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of international relations/development and global food security, understanding of the agribusiness or AgTech landscapes and experience in event management are preferred but not required.

In the week surrounding the Borlaug Dialogue, the World Food Prize Laureates travel to various universities and organizations around Central Iowa in order to share their experiences and connect with the Iowa community. The Laureate Lecture Series also highlights Borlaug Field Award recipients, Council of Advisors members and other individuals working in food security. The World Food Prize Foundation seeks a highly qualified undergraduate or graduate student for the unique opportunity to take significant responsibility in planning and executing the Laureate Lecture Series. This internship gives students unparalleled professional experience in event planning.

Every year, the Foundation selects distinguished individuals to receive the Foundation’s most prestigious honors: the World Food Prize and the Borlaug Field Award. This intern has the unique opportunity to take significant responsibility in communicating the work of the Laureates. By helping promote nominations of these awards, interns are provided with unparalleled experience in communication and awards management.

Various duties include: 

• Coordinate the Lecture Series by matching speakers with venues for 10+ lectures taking place throughout Central Iowa in October
• Correspond with high-level speakers participating in the Lecture Series to ensure proper handling of logistics
• Serve as a representative of the World Food Prize Foundation during the Borlaug Dialogue to high-ranking attendees; interact with Laureates, award winners, and Council of Advisors members
• Assist in managing schedules of VIPs
• Assist in promoting the call for nominations for the World Food Prize and Borlaug Field Award
• Perform basic data analysis of nomination and nominator demographics
• Assist in research and preparation of the story and materials for the Laureate Announcement

Candidates should have a strong academic background, a solid work ethic, a capacity for analytical thinking, impeccable attention to detail and excellent oral and written communication skills. Interns will also possess an interest in event planning and international relations.

Each semester, the World Food Prize Foundation selects a highly qualified student to support the growth and delivery of its youth education programs. Working closely with the Senior Manager, Global Youth Programs and Partnerships, this intern plays an active role in expanding opportunities for young people to engage with issues in food security, agriculture and science through State Youth Institutes and the Global Youth Institute (GYI).

This position offers meaningful, hands-on experience in education programming, student engagement, outreach and communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with outreach efforts in states that host World Food Prize Youth Institutes
• Help build and maintain relationships with teachers, students, parents, partners and program advisors
• Support media outreach by drafting media advisories, press materials and participant stories
• Assist in planning and coordination of State Youth Institutes and the Global Youth Institute

The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, have strong oral and written communication skills, a background in STEM education and attention to detail.