GAP Initiative Internship

The GAP Initiative:

The Global Agricultural Productivity Report (GAP Report)® is a call to action to invest in proven strategies to produce food, feed, fiber, and bioenergy in a sustainable manner to meet the needs of a growing world. The GAP Index™ tracks global agricultural productivity growth, a key indicator of sustainability.

CALS Global took over the responsibility for producing the Global Agricultural Productivity Report® (GAP Report®) in 2019. Throughout the year, the GAP Initiative hosts a series of activities that engage faculty members and students of the university in with the GAP Report and its partners.

The GAP Initiative’s Supporting Partners provide financial support and important insights into food and agriculture.  They are Bayer Crop Science, Corteva Agriscience, John Deere, The Mosaic Company, and Smithfield Foods.   The Consultative Partners share their knowledge and experience of agriculture, conservation, nutrition and the needs of smallholder farmers.  They are ACDI/VOCA, Farm Foundation, HarvestPlus, Inter-American Development Bank, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), The Nature Conservancy, New Market Lab, Purdue University Center for Global Food Security, Robert S. Daugherty Water for Food Institute, Sasakawa Africa Association, Sehgal Foundation, Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation, and Tanager.

The GAP Report is released every October in conjunction with the World Food Prize in Des Moines, Iowa. (The 2020 GAP Report: Productivity in a Time of Pandemics was released virtually in a film featuring farmers and researchers from around the world.)

Responsibilities:

The GAP Initiative Intern will focus on program and project management tasks in support of several activities, including the creation of the 2021 GAP Report, the launch of the 2021 GAP Report in October, and two virtual GAP Report events in the Spring of 2021.  The intern will have the opportunity to attend the GAP Launch and the World Food Prize/Borlaug Dialogue conference in October.  Sample activities include:

• Assist in the creation of the publicity materials for the GAP Report Launch and other events, including social media, PowerPoints, and flyers. 
• Maintain the GAP Initiative email list.
•  Create online invitations and track RSVPs for two virtual events, and the GAP Report Launch.
•  Assist with event logistics for GAP Report Launch.
• Attend virtual events on a variety of agricultural and food security issues and provide a written summary of the event. 
• Engage with representatives from the GAP Initiative Partners around logistics for the GAP Report events.
•  Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

Required:

• Undergraduate or Graduate student, graduating December 2021 or later.
• Professional interests include agriculture, food and nutrition security, international development, public policy, or communications.
• Detail oriented with project management experience.
• Good inter-personal communication and time management skills. 
• Capable of working independently, with minimal direction, and as part of a small team.
• Available to travel to Des Moines, Iowa, the week of October 18^th for the GAP Report Launch and World Food Prize/Borlaug Dialogue.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of agriculture, food and nutrition security, international development, or agricultural trade and economics.
• Experience working in a professional setting.