Pathfinder International is nongovernmental, non-profit organization dedicated to creating access to, and improving the quality of, family planning, sexual and reproductive health, abortion, and community- and facility-based HIV and AIDS care and services in partnership with host country governments, community members and other nongovernmental organizations. Pathfinder frequently works on projects in which additional skills and expertise would be welcome. When Pathfinder believes this need corresponds to a unique learning opportunity for a skilled graduate or undergraduate student, we make this opportunity available in the form of an internship.

Interns are compensated with academic credit, and a Pathfinder-assigned mentor formally agrees to ensure that the internship is a rewarding learning and/or professionalization opportunity for the intern as well as a positive contribution to the project. The unpaid internship is governed either by a memorandum-of-understanding between Pathfinder International and the university awarding credit, or some other contractual arrangement.

Interns may work outside of Pathfinder�s HQ in Watertown, but may be required to travel to HQ to meet with their mentors on a regular basis. No health, insurance or retirement benefits are associated with internships.

Internship Period: Summer or Fall, Full or Part Time

Content Area
Knowledge Management / Library: Pathfinder International currently has a small library and archive holding, relating to all matters in the Public Health / Sexual and Reproductive Health sphere. Along with the library holdings, a SharePoint based intranet is being developed to house an institutional knowledge repository that will house all of the resources in the Pathfinder library, as well as provide access to the e-journals that Pathfinder subscribes to, access to institutional knowledge across departments, and specific Technical Assistance Libraries on Pathfinder International’s technical priority areas.

The first stage of the institutional knowledge repository is the addition of new library materials to the existing library catalogue. This includes the proper cataloguing of the materials in accordance with Pathfinder library standards, the addition of these materials to the print collection including proper labeling, and identification of duplicate materials.
Part of the library project involves identifying Pathfinder archival materials, cataloguing and describing them in the same way as the library materials, and storing them. Along with cataloguing paper library materials and archives, there will be uploading of electronic materials to SharePoint, description of these materials, and double checking that any URLs are still active.

Further to the institutional knowledge repository is the development of specific Technical Assistance Libraries for Pathfinders’ technical priority areas. These libraries will provide access to high-quality tools, guidelines, and resources on each area, as well as Technical Advisor guidance. These libraries also require their resources to be catalogued in the same manner as the other library and archive resources.

Beyond the cataloguing of library and archive materials, the Pathfinder library currently provides reference services to Pathfinder International staff all over the world. This involves finding articles on various topics when requested, finding articles through inter-library loan, and training Pathfinder staff in search techniques.

Deliverables and Other Responsibilities
Pathfinder is recruiting an intern that will facilitate the development of an institutional knowledge repository by:
- Cataloguing new library materials following Pathfinder cataloguing standards;
- Describing Pathfinder archival materials;
- Uploading resources to SharePoint and describing them to cataloguing standards;
- Working with Knowledge Management Coordinator to develop SharePoint based catalogue; and
- Providing reference and research support to Pathfinder staff.

Deliverable(s):
- Correct and consistent cataloguing of all identified library holdings and archival materials.
- Correct and consistent uploading and cataloguing of all electronic resources for the Technical Assistance Libraries.
- Efficient return of research and reference support to Pathfinder staff.

Intern Selection Criteria: An intern for this position should be enrolled in a Master of Library and Information Studies, possess high attention to detail, and some experience in a data entry/cataloguing roll. Familiarity with reference services, search techniques, and sexual and reproductive health literature would be desirable. Willingness to travel to Watertown to catalogue materials is required, however reference services can be provided remotely.

Mentor: Sarah Burns, Knowledge Management Coordinator

For more information and to submit an application, contact Sarah at sburns@pathfinder.org or call her at 617-924-7200 x257

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