From: Economic and Political Development Concentration
Date: April 25, 2022
Subject: EPD Newsletter #30



Hello EPD-ers!

As the last full week of classes for Spring 2022 kicks-off, we cannot seem to figure out how this semester went by so fast! Finals season may soon come knocking on our doors, but this week has many exciting events that you cannot miss out on!

We will be hosting the EPD Final Workshop presentations on Thursday and Friday this week in 1501 along with day-long refreshments and gallons of coffee! Come support and cheer on your friends and peers who've toiled hard on their projects this semester and will be sharing their findings with you! We'll also be hosting the EPD End of Year Party on Friday (4 pm onwards!) to celebrate the closing of the workshop and this ridiculously busy semester. 

See below for the latest updates from the world of EPD and beyond!


This week’s newsletter includes:

  • EPD Announcements
  • Other Announcements 
  • Upcoming EPD and other events
  • Upcoming CAC Events 
  • Jobs, Internships and Other Opportunities 
  • Pick of the Week 

EPD ANNOUNCEMENTS


EPD Summer Internship Stipend Application is Live!
All continuing EPD students are eligible to apply! We will be able to offer four students $2500 dollars each to help support them while they undertake an internship related to economic development. The application and further details are available HERE. We are the last on the list so scroll all the way down! The application is available until May 2.

Seeking student volunteers to serve as timekeepers on Thu 4/28 and Fri 4/29!
In order to run the EPD workshop presentations smoothly this Thursday and Friday, we need volunteers to serve as timekeepers for the presenting teams. Please consider signing up for a couple sessions if you can. You can sign up for a time slot of your choice here. You can also email Ilona (iv2105). 

EPD Workshop Survey for First Years (Deadline 4/29) 
EPD's three question workshop survey is still live! The goal of the survey is to get input from continuing EPD students who will be doing their workshop next year on what kinds of projects and/or clients you would like to work with. We can't wait to hear your feedback! Access the survey at 
tinyurl.com/EPDworkshopsurvey2022. The survey closes April 29th. 

EPD Survey - Spring 2022 (Deadline 5/2) 
EPD has put together a survey to gauge your opinions and thoughts on your overall EPD experience (EPD classes, activities, and other aspects of the EPD concentration). Your feedback is invaluable as we continue to evolve and improve students' experience in our concentration. To access our survey, follow this link: https://sipacolumbia.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bKkMfiId3uy4u0K. We'd appreciate your input by Monday, May 2nd. By completing our survey, you will have the option to be entered into a random drawing to win one of three $100 Columbia bookstore gift cards. 

ICYMI- Recordings of our events last week!
We definitely went for an event hat-trick last week (+10 points if you understood the cricket reference!), and had some powerpacked sessions Monday to Wednesday. If you weren't able to join, please find their recordings below!

Conversation with Columbia Obama Foundation Scholars: Grassroots Activism and the Power of Storytelling (Monday, 4/18)

Workshop Briefing Session for First-Year EPD Students (Tuesday, 4/19)

Book talk: The Deoliwallahs: The True Story of the 1962 Chinese-Indian Internment (Wednesday, 4/20)

Get your Tote Bags! Seriously. Come get a Tote Bag before the summer! 
If you haven't already picked up your amazing EPD tote bag, they are waiting for you in the EPD office in Room 1305 in IAB. Feel free to stop by anytime Mon-Fri before 4:30 PM and pick yours up! 

Event Cancellation- Asian Development Bank's Outlook for Developing Asia 
We were really looking forward to hosting ADB Chief Economist 
Dr. Albert Park this Tuesday. But this event has unfortunately been cancelled due to unforeseeable circumstances. We hope we may be able to reschedule in the future!



OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Tune in to ABROADcast!

Journal of International Affairs´ podcast series “ABROADcast” takes you beyond the headlines into long-lasting issues that will shape the 21st century order with topics that balance issues of international affairs and political discourse. Join us in our weekly episodes to hear experts discussing their thoughts and analysis of the subject.
New Episode drops every Tuesday! Exclusively on Spotify


Support a fellow and current SEEPLE in their exciting venture!
Struggling to network? Be it an internship, full time roles or even to develop interest-based groups, converting that cold email into a warm relationship is challenging. Devaansh Samant (MPA ‘23) has created a product called "Gardens" to enable mindful, productive networking. Reach out to Devaansh if you'd like to know more about his new venture!  It gives Columbia students access to email IDs and professional interests for other Columbia students and alumni who opt-in. Sign up takes just 5 minutes - click here! 


UPCOMING EPD AND OTHER EVENTS 

   
Tuesday Talks: French elections
Organizer: Student Organized Talks
When: Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Where: IAB 1501


Achieving the SDGs in Palestine: Perspectives from Spring Break Travel
Organizer: MPA in Development Practice
When: Tuesday, Apr 26, 2022
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 PM EDT 
Where: IAB 402 
To register, CLICK HERE



ACE Climate Migration Conference
What: (non-Columbia event) A virtual student led conference on climate related migration featuring guest speakers and testimonies from students. Each day focuses on a different region of the world.
When: 
April 26-28th
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (ET)
For More Information Click Here and to register click HERE

EPD Workshop in Sustainable Development Practice: 2022 Final Presentations
Organizer: 
Economic and Political Development 

When: Thursday, Apr 28, 2022 and Friday, Apr 29, 2022
Time: 10 AM – 4 PM EDT 
Where: Room 1501 and Zoom
Note: Day-long refreshments and lots of coffee/tea!
To register, click here Day 1 and Day 2




EPD End of Year Party
Organizer: 
Economic and Political Development 

When: Friday, Apr 29, 2022
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM EDT 
Where: 15th Floor Lobby
To register, CLICK HERE



 


UPCOMING CAC EVENTS

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) - Virtual Info Session for Veterans: Explore GAO Career Opportunities
When: Tuesday, April 26, 2022.
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM.
Where: Zoom.
Work Authorization Requirement: U.S. citizen.
For more information CLICK HERE.

McKinsey & Company - GLAM at McKinsey: Our Stories
When: Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Time: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Where: Zoom.
Dress code: N/A.
For more information CLICK HERE.

McKinsey & Company - McKinsey Sector Spotlight – Social Sector, Healthcare, & Public Sector Entities (SHaPE)
When: Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Where: Zoom.
For more information CLICK HERE.



JOBS, INTERNSHIPS AND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES 

Student Research Resources- if you're looking for some support and guidance on how to write better, check out the following Columbia resources 
The Columbia Writing Center: CLICK HERE   
Find a SIPA Writing Tutor: CLICK HERE

Abt Associates: Various Roles 
1) Project Management Officer Ukraine

Abt Associates’ International Development Division (IDD) is seeking a Project Management Officer to support the management of Local Health System Sustainability (LHSS) country activities, primarily in Ukraine. The LHSS project under the USAID Integrated Health Systems IDIQ helps low- and middle- income countries transition to sustainable, self-financed health systems to support universal health coverage. The job description is attached with this email! To apply, please reach out to Lisa_Tarantino@abtassoc.com

2) Project Management Analyst positions 
Abt Associates is seeking to hire a cohort (8 positions) of dedicated Project Management Analysts to support the International Development Division (IDD) on a number of projects, including the USAID-funded flagship Local Health Systems Sustainability project.  The Project Management Analyst (PMA) supports the operational aspects of projects and serves as the liaison between support teams, technical teams, and line management. They are responsible for the day-to-day tactical duties for technical and non-technical programs.  This position will support projects in Central Asia, Timor Leste, Ukraine, Colombia, Peru, Dominican Republic. Nigeria, Bangladesh, and West Africa.  The PMA may also support core work for IDD's global projects. More information is available at https://egpy.fa.us2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/requisitions/preview/101709/?keyword=Analyst  

We have also been made aware that many new positions will open up on their website in the coming days. French, Spanish, and Russian speakers preferred. So keep an eye out for these postings! 

DAI Global Summer Internship Position 
DAI is accepting applications for a paid internship starting in June 2022. The intern will work on several initiatives in support of the Private Sector Development and Skills (PSDS) practice, as well as strategic initiatives within the Economic Growth Sector at DAI more broadly. The position will provide an opportunity to gain insight and practical experience in the development sector in economic growth, private sector development and skills technical areas. The internship will include conducting and synthesizing secondary research in support of new business efforts; gathering and capturing information, best practices, and results from DAI’s work and development community at large; and contributing to knowledge generation efforts and DAI strategic initiatives. Work will be performed remotely with the option to work in
DAI’s Bethesda, MD office. Students can directly apply to daitalent@dai.com with their cover letter and resume

Research Assistant Position with Professor Ben Orlove
Professor Ben Orlove is seeking a research assistant to examine documents and interviews a mountain region in the Italian Alps affected by climate change. The research assistant would catalogue the documents, summarize each one, indicate the presence of key terms, and provide an overview. German language fluency is a basic requisite; some familiarity with environmental policy, sustainable development, social science or history is preferred. The work could start in late May or could begin earlier. Pay is at Graduate Research Assistant level,   commensurate with experience and skill. Hours are flexible. Please contact the Professor directly at bso5@columbia.edu

World Economic Forum hiring Early Career Programme (ECP) Trainees for 6 months
Hot off the press from an EPD alum! The Urban Transformation team at WEF is hiring an Early Career Programme (ECP) Trainee to work on the next iteration of the State of the Connected World report, setting the agenda and focus of the Council’s work for the coming years (2023-2024). The ECP programme provides an opportunity for recent university graduates - often with a Master's degree and some prior work experience - to join the Forum in an entry-level capacity. It will give trainees the opportunity to network with each other and benefit from a real learning experience at the Forum. The opportunity will also be opened for international students if they have work authorization (OPT will suffice). 

Please find the job posting with details on the opportunity and how to apply here. The Alum has kindly offered that they will be happy to answer any queries. Please email (iv2105) or Pooja/ Will and we'll be happy to connect you!

Various job postings at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) 
DFC is the U.S. Government's development finance institution and partners with the private sector to finance solutions addressing the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. OEIF provides equity to private investment fund managers in DFC-eligible countries. Although many of these positions are only open to US nationals, please review the website to confirm the eligibility and application requirements. 

List of opportunities:

Researcher, Research on the Information EnvironmentÔÇ»position with Professor Jacob Shapiro (Deadline 5/2)
Another posting from an alum who had worked with Professor Jacob Shapiro recently! Professor Shapiro teaches International Affairs at Princeton SPIA and is looking for a Research Assistant for his project at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

The researcher will work to provide quantitative and qualitative analysis on themes related to disinformation and influence operations for a new project related to research on the information environment. This person will be part of a core team for a newly established project. This position is through January 2023 with possible extension.

Candidates should have 2+ years of relevant experience and experience conducting statistical analysis and historical research. Please click here for more details: https://carnegieendowment.applicantpro.com/jobs/2330737.html


 

Pick of the Week - Brooklyn Bookstore Crawl Week! 

Back after a three year COVID-induced hiatus the bookstores of Brooklyn are inviting bookworms to participate in a borough-wide Brooklyn bookstore crawl! The full list of stores can be found online.

From April 23rd through April 30th you can pick up a passport at any of the 20+ participating bookstores throughout the borough. Stamp your passport at least five times at any of the bookstores and earn a 25% off coupon valid at any participating store!

This event leads up to the annual Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 30th—a celebration of independent bookstores across the country online and in-store—and ends in a 7:00p.m. afterparty at the Center for Fiction where you’ll have the chance to win prizes and celebrate all things literary!
 



EPD OFFICE HOURS

José Antonio Ocampo, EPD Co-Director
Sign up online: https://tinyurl.com/officehours-ocampo

Jenny McGill, EPD Co-Director and Workshop Director
Sign up online: https://tinyurl.com/mcgill-oh

Ilona Vinklerova, EPD Manager
Sign up online: https://sipa.campusgroups.com/meetings/1060915/IlonaOH_Spring2022

Will Gifford, EPD Program Assistant
By appointment at wg2363@columbia.edu

Pooja Singh, EPD Program Assistant
By appointment at ps3192@columbia.edu

Your friendly PAs,
Will & Pooja