Internship Business Development Jobs in Springfield, VA

Search for Common Ground
For over 40 years, Search for Common Ground has worked to demonstrate that even the deepest divides can be transformed into cooperation. Today, we are the world's largest peacebuilding organization, active in 29 countries across six continents. We partner with local communities to break cycles of violence, building trust and creating opportunities for lasting collaboration. Our principle of multipartiality means we engage with all sides in a conflict, ensuring that every voice is heard and every perspective matters. From empowering young people and elevating women in peace processes to advancing digital peacebuilding, climate resilience, security sector reform, and political deconfliction, we bring people together to imagine and build a world of safe, healthy, and just societies, free from the threat of violent conflict.
Team Summary:
The Business Development team leads Search for Common Ground's institutional fundraising efforts by identifying and pursuing new funding opportunities, developing capture strategies, coordinating donor engagement, building strategic partnerships, and managing competitive proposal development from opportunity identification through submission. The team works closely with country offices and technical, finance, grants, and operations teams to develop high-quality, compliant proposals, strengthen donor relationships, analyze funding trends and market intelligence, manage fundraising pipelines and forecasts, and improve business development systems, tools, and processes to support the organization's global growth and impact.
Position Summary:
The Resource Mobilization team at Search for Common Ground (Search) is seeking an intern for Fall 2026 to provide research and support to the organization's overall fundraising, program development, and knowledge management activities. The Global Program Development Intern will help advance Search's peacebuilding mission by contributing to fundraising, organizational partnerships, project design, and proposal development for global programs.
Program development interns play a critical role in Search's peacebuilding programs through fundraising from governments, multilateral organizations, and foundations and the design of new programs in coordination with our regional teams. This internship offers students hands-on experience in program design and a behind-the-scenes look at a non-governmental organization. Interns will be introduced to our network of donors and partners in the field of peacebuilding and within the broader humanitarian-development-peacebuilding nexus.
This internship is only open to applicants who are applying as part of an academic program and who receive a financial stipend from their academic institution.
Key Responsibilities and Contributions:

• Assist with the development of global partnerships, project designs, and proposals.
• Conduct research related to fundraising from bilateral governments, multilaterals, and foundations.
• Identify and research opportunities for new program development and partnerships.
• Represent Search at relevant meetings and events in Washington, D.C.
• Develop and update knowledge management tools and resources, such as capacity statements, fundraising analysis and strategies, and more.

Education and Experience
Minimum Qualifications
• Current student working towards a degree in International Relations, Conflict Studies, Development, or a related area.
• Written and spoken fluency in English;
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, Internet Search Engines).
Preferred Qualifications

• A self-starting, enthusiastic, and flexible approach to the organization and the position.
• Experience in foreign policy, fundraising, and peacebuilding.
• Demonstrable interest in creating partnerships with other organizations, policymakers, and donors to advance peacebuilding.
• Experience in business development or with donor agencies.
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines.
• Available for 32-40 Hours a week

Type and Nature of Contacts
Interacts with others and handles problem situations with tact.
Working Conditions and Physical Requirements
Usual office environment conditions.
Supervisory and Budget Responsibility
N/A
Other Duties
As job descriptions cannot be exhaustive, the position holder may be required to undertake other duties that are broadly in line with the above key responsibilities.
Equal Opportunity
Search is an equal opportunity employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.