Recruitment

From 2016 to January 2025, Asia Centre’s Internship Programme has hosted 56 interns, with a 1:2 male to female ratio for a total of 187 months. The interns were either undergraduates or postgraduates enrolled at universities in Australia, East Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, South Asia, East Asia, Southern Africa, and North America.

There are three locations that the Asia Centre offers for internships: Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Johor Bahru (Malaysia), and Bangkok (Thailand). Interns will be placed in various locations according to their skills and the project needs of the Centre.

Interns applying to Asia Centre begin the process by filling in the online Google application form on the website and attaching copies of a CV, an official letter of university enrollment, and photo page of passport or national ID (for citizens of Cambodia, Malaysia, or Thailand). Following a review of the submitted documents, shortlisted applicants will be invited for up to two rounds of interviews and successful applicants will sign a letter of agreement.

Commitment

Internships are full-time, onsite and for a minimum period of 3 months. Prospective interns who apply for a 6-month period as well as those who apply exclusively to Asia Centre are prioritised in the selection process. Successful applicants are expected to be onsite, available full-time, not engaged in other activities and committed to the entire duration of the internship period. Once the start and end dates are agreed upon, the duration of the internship is non-negotiable.

Visas

Foreign students enrolled in universities based in Cambodia, Malaysia, or Thailand who are on an Education Visa, have to ensure that their visa covers the duration of the internship if they are applying for an in-country internship. Foreign students who are studying abroad need to acquire a relevant visa prior to being able to undertake an internship at Asia Centre in Cambodia, Malaysia, or Thailand. To facilitate the visa process, successful applicants will receive a letter of appointment, which then can be used to apply for the relevant visa at the embassy or consulate office nearest to them.

Onboarding

When interns arrive at Asia Centre, they will begin their internship with an orientation of the office and a detailed onboarding process. The onboarding process involves induction conversations with key staff, reading and understanding the details of a number of important Asia Centre working documents. The documents to be reviewed are the following: Induction Guide, Internship Guidelines, Asia Centre Standards, and Workflow Procedures. Interns will receive handover notes to help them settle in and take over previous intern tasks.

Onsite

Following the onboarding, interns will undertake tasks that cover media, partnerships, programmes, and research. These tasks are connected to the implementation of ongoing projects such as events, publications, media, and social media engagements, and partnerships between external organisations and the Centre.

Due to the dynamic nature of the projects, interns must be able to adapt and be flexible in their assigned tasks and responsibilities. In turn, interns have the opportunity to be involved in a number of ongoing real-time projects and through it all, interns will be mentored and coached on the execution of tasks.

During the internship, interns will undergo evaluations of their performance. These will be in the form of performance review discussions, which involve feedback from supervisors. The aim is to help interns identify areas of behaviors and skills that need improvement and strengthening.

Exit

Interns will go through an exit process towards the end of their internship. A good exit process is essential to ensure the smooth and efficient completion and handover of tasks. Abrupt and sudden departures put projects at risk and must be avoided. If such departures occur, the Centre reserves the right to annul the internship, the approved visa, and levy an administrative fee.

Under normal circumstances, the exit process begins with drafting a handover document, attending a final interview, completing any required documentation, and returning company property. The handover document’s purpose is to capture ongoing tasks to ensure a smooth transition and continuity across all Asia Centre projects. The final interview with the supervisor(s) includes reflections on the intern’s experience at the Centre and their key learning points. Any documentation needed by an intern’s university will also be discussed and addressed during this period.

Conclusion

Asia Centre’s Internship Programme offers a well-rounded experience in human rights. Interns are assured of good mentorship and guidance in the implementation of projects and exposed to diverse tasks in media, partnership, programming, and research, providing them with a strong professional foundation. Every office is professionally set up with the latest IT equipment, modern furnishings and good ambience.

Applicants with strong English research and drafting skills, social media management experience, and proficiency in design, photography, and video editing are highly encouraged to apply.

We are looking for individuals who are committed, understand volunteerism, are dedicated to human rights work, are willing to take on project management responsibilities, and will adhere to their signed agreement with Asia Centre. If you fit the bill, apply for an internship at Asia Centre. Visit our page for the application details: https://asiacentre.org/internship-programme/