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Moyo Gemstones Project Intern
Job Locations US-DC
Job ID 2019-1362
At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.
Department
Pact Ventures (PV) - Pact Ventures is Pact’s impact investing team where we deploy capital in unique ways that leverage the strengths of a development organization to scale and deliver impact through new models. We approach development and impact investing through a different lens, exploring how private capital and market-based mechanisms can be incentivized to solve complex social problems in collaboration with our core development projects. We focus on the key sectors and geographies in which Pact operates, including: health, financial inclusion, energy, livelihoods, and sustainable supply chains in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Pact Ventures seeks to leverage private sector partnerships to deploy new programming that is rooted in development but tests a fundamentally different approach to solving key social challenges. We seek to build sustainable, market-driven models that address these issues by partnering with those that can provide services most needed by bottom-of-the-pyramid consumers. We are nimble and agile, capable of testing different approaches, pivoting when necessary, and structuring innovative financing models as needed. To date, we have financed a PRI-like grant to fund innovation, provided subordinated debt to a fast-growing global fintech company, and explored joint ventures with strategic corporate partners. You can learn about other projects on our website: https://www.pactworld.org/country/pact-ventures.
Position Overview
Application Deadline: January 12, 2020
About Moyo Gems:
In collaboration with the Tanzania Women’s Miner Association, international gemstone brokers ANZA and Nineteen48, and global technology enterprise Everledger, Pact launched Moyo Gems in 2019 to build a sustainable end-to-end value chain for artisanal and small-scale female gemstone miners (ASM).
The colored gemstone sector remains relatively behind as compared to other mining sectors in terms of ethical sourcing mechanisms. This is partly due to the complex and fragmented nature of the industry. Despite the luxury image of precious stones, 80-90% of colored gemstones are mined by individuals using only hand tools and physical strength, as compared to only 20% of diamonds and gold. Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) serve as the anonymous base of the global jewelry supply chain. ASM carry out dangerous work and are marginalized in society, facing cultural, systemic and legal barriers to achieving stable livelihoods. Insufficient mining knowledge, lack of transparent pricing, and limited opportunities for technical skill-building contribute to their economic
In 2016, Pact began to work with GIA to address these challenges. We provided ASM in Tanzania a highly visual education on gem identification, valuation, and handling, which led to a 3-5x increase in miner incomes. Despite this, miners voiced market access as a key obstacle to further progress. Without consistent points of sale and transparency into market demand, miners lose the opportunity to capture the fair value of gemstone prices. At the same time, industry pressure is building to identify ethical sources of gemstones that exhibit a base level of social responsibility and local benefit.
Addressing the need expressed by miners and leveraging the mounting global interest in ethical sourcing, Pact and its partners launched Moyo Gems (“Moyo”) to build a sustainable sourcing model for colored gemstones. Moyo supports colored gemstone ASM to meet a responsible mining standard and connects them with international gem markets. It has three core components: 1) training miners on safe, efficient, and value add mining practices, 2) facilitating achievement of legal compliances for miners, and 3) enabling opportunities for consistent and transparent market access. Pact invites miners through the membership base of local mining organizations to participate in Moyo. Miners receive training on mining best practices, health and safety, and legal and compliance support. Once compliant, they can attend quarterly “Market Days” where they directly negotiate gemstone prices with international, regional, and local gem brokers. Pact certifies miners’ standards and international brokers purchase vetted gemstones for their client base. To date, Moyo has supported more than 200 ASM in Tanzania through three Market Days.
Position Purpose:
Moyo is seeking a part-time intern to support its growth as it moves from an innovative pilot to expansion mode. This internship is for academic credit only and is not a paid position. Moyo seeks someone with an appetite to learn and contribute, open to engaging in a wide range of the team’s work.
Key Responsibilities
In this role you’ll be embedded in Moyo, working alongside the team on anything from market research and analysis to managing Market Day planning logistics and creating onboarding materials for new participants. This could include, but is not limited to:
Market Research: Conduct market research on Moyo’s growth priorities, including new gemstone buying and selling models, cutting-edge ASM mining practices, and new financing models; monitor and compile relevant information on themes/trends in sustainable supply chains and the responsible jewelry sector
Data Analysis: Compile data collected during Market Days and R&M visits, organizing in clear manner and conducting high-level analysis to show trends and key learnings; develop surveys for future data collection
Project Management: Develop workplans and other materials to manage complex operations, including timeline and individual roles / responsibilities; execute specific work streams from start to finish, keeping relevant stakeholders informed and on track
Business Development: Prepare pitch books and donor proposals, including PowerPoint slides, word docs, and budgets to solicit external funding for Moyo
Communications: Draft social media posts, thought pieces, and/or blogs that share Moyo’s work with both internal and external audiences
In addition to contributing to Moyo’s growth, the internship provides a valuable learning opportunity for a professional interested in a career in sustainable supply chains, innovation, blended finance, and/or public-private partnerships. The internship period is flexible, ideally starting as soon as possible. Number of hours and specific schedule will be determined in conversation with potential candidates. Candidates can either be based in Washington DC or work remotely with regular check-ins.
Basic Requirements
- Completed Bachelor’s degree with focus on or exposure to international development, responsible supply chains, sustainability, and/or social entrepreneurship
- Current graduate student (must currently be enrolled in a Masters or post-Masters’ level program)
- Ability to receive academic credit for the Winter 2019 / Spring 2020 semester (specifications and requirements of the concerned academic institution to be discussed)
- Minimum of 3 years work experience, ideally in roles with significant project leadership and analytical responsibilities in related industries (e.g. logistics, supply chain management, management consulting, etc.)
- Driven and collaborative team player
- Detail-oriented, able to keep track of many moving parts and to speak up if key items aren’t being addressed
- High degree of flexibility and adaptability with an openness to engaging in the broad range of Moyo’s work
- Ability to work independently
- Highly analytical with strong quantitative and research capabilities
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including quickly researching and synthesizing unfamiliar topics
- Comfort in conducting analyses in Excel and presenting complex concepts in PowerPoint
- Demonstrated passion for social impact and sustainability
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated interest in and experience with responsible jewelry and/or mining industry
Experience in international development (e.g. program delivery) and/or in East Africa where Moyo operates (preference for Tanzania experience)
Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.
