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Internship Program 

The NATO Association of Canada engages Canada’s citizenry in global security by providing a forum for Canadians to learn about and discuss our country’s contribution to international affairs, peace, and security. The NATO Association’s Volunteer Internship Program offers a unique opportunity for young Canadians to cultivate new skills and develop professional competency in a variety of areas within and outside of international relations. Interns may join us at the NATO Association’s office in Toronto or remotely. The goal of the four-month Volunteer Internship Program is to help students and recent graduates transition from post-secondary education to a rewarding career in fields such as defence, security, international affairs, and business.

About the Internship Program

The Internship Program offers unique and challenging opportunities for motivated individuals wishing to display their knowledge of NATO, international affairs, and Canadian defence, as well as marketing, social media, and event and project management. We provide interns with a space to hone current skills and cultivate new ones.

There are three Internship Sessions per year: January to the end of April (Winter Session); May to the end of August (Summer Session); and September to the end of December (Fall Session). The internship lasts for a duration of four months on a part-time basis and is an unpaid position.

Responsibilities

Interns’ responsibilities will vary according to the role:

Event Coordinator

The Event Coordinator will assist in organizing and planning events for the NATO Association of Canada’s community. The role includes coordinating professional development sessions for fellow interns. This involves identifying career paths of interest, as well as individuals working in those fields, and inviting them to participate in moderated discussions. The Event Coordinator will also collaborate with senior management to create and plan virtual and in-person events for the wider NATO Association of Canada community.

Social Media Coordinator

The Social Media Community Manager will adjust and refresh the NATO Association’s social media brand and online presence. After an assessment of existing social media marketing, the Social Media Coordinator will confirm standardized voice and presence for all social media platforms. In addition, the Social Media Coordinator will collaborate with the NATO Association team to create content and schedule regular and standardized social media posts.

Digital Copy Editor

The Digital Copy Editor will assist in maintaining the NATO Association of Canada’s website. This will include ensuring that articles conform to in-house standards and that images are in line with copyright regulations. The position will also contribute to updating the website as required and helping to identify and implement opportunities to refresh the NATO Association’s digital presence. 

Videographer

The Videographer will support the NATO Association’s mission through the production of compelling audio-visual content. The role will involve collaborating with the team to identify and generate storytelling opportunities through video. Specifically, the Videographer will play a role in creating, editing, and sharing videos that highlight NATO Association events and initiatives. 

Engagement Coordinator 

The Engagement Coordinator will collaborate to strengthen relationships with members of the NATO Association of Canada’s community, as well as to develop new partnerships. This includes collaborating to increase the number of NATO Association members and improve their membership experience. Through applied project management, the Engagement Coordinator will build and maintain a robust membership program for the NATO Association, helping to oversee communication with members and contacts to inform them of NATO Association events and news.

Program Editor

The Program Editor will assist in ensuring the quality of content featured on the NATO Association of Canada website. The Program Editor will collaborate with team members and external contributors to edit and vet submissions on a variety of topics for digital publication. The Program Editor will also contribute analyses of subjects relevant to the website’s readership.

General Qualifications

We look for motivated and knowledgeable individuals with a proven track record in project management and meeting deadlines. The intern should be capable of contributing to a diverse team and fulfilling the assigned responsibilities.

Benefits of the Internship

By interning at the NATO Association, you stand to gain:

  • Valuable project management experience and professional skills;
  • Access to high-profile events during your session at the NAOC;
  • Publication opportunities on the NATO Association’s website and in other media;
  • Networking opportunities with members of the government, foreign service, and industry — both domestic and international;
  • A meeting with the President of NATO Association to discuss your future after the internship;
  • A reference letter from the Robert Baines, President and CEO of the NATO Association of Canada.

The Internship Program is designed to foster important skills in young people as they transition from the academic to the professional world. More information about what you stand to learn as an NATO Association Intern can be found here.

The Internship Program is centred on project management and allowing interns to take ownership of their output. These projects are taken on voluntarily or created by interns themselves, allowing interns to develop their professional aptitudes through a hands-on approach to project management. The overall emphasis is on each intern’s professional development and project management skills.

How to Apply

Application Deadline for the 2024 Winter Session: Thursday, November 30 at Midnight (EST)

Applications for the Volunteer Internship Program are accepted year-round, with the deadlines to apply for each term landing early in March, July, and November, respectively.

In your application package, please include the following:

  • Curriculum vitae;
  • Cover letter clearly stating the role for which you are applying;
  • Names and contact information of three references;
  • A journalistic writing sample of 800-1,000 words or a sample of relevant creative content.

Please send your application package before the stipulated deadline to internships@natoassociation.ca. In the email subject line, please include the title of the role for which you are applying. 

Junior Research Fellowships

In addition to the Internship Program, the NATO Association of Canada offers Volunteer Junior Research Fellowships to qualified applicants who wish to contribute to the NATO Association in a research-oriented capacity. The Volunteer Junior Research Fellowship is a research and writing position, and involves writing one article each week over a 4-month period on a designated topic of interest. It is ideal for those with an aptitude for research who wish to publish articles on subjects of interest.

Applications for the Volunteer Junior Research Fellowship are processed on a rolling basis. To apply, please send your application to internships@natoassociation.ca (see instructions above) specifying your interest in the Volunteer Junior Research Fellowship and your program of choice: Centre for Disinformation Studies; Cybersecurity and Emerging Threats; Energy Security; Indo-Pacific and NATO; NATO and Canada; Security, Trade, and the Economy; Society, Culture, and Security; Women in Security.