Due to security clearance constraints, applicants for this fellowship must be US citizens.

Summer 2023 Fellow: Ronnie Hafez ’25, Amsal Ali ’26

Office Description

Created by the U.S. Congress in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support, MCC partners with the world’s poorest countries that are committed to just and democratic governance, economic freedom and investing in their populations.

Investing in well-governed countries is the most effective use of development dollars and incentivizes reform even before a country is selected to partner with MCC. MCC provides time-limited grants promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions. These investments in core infrastructure and policy and institutional reforms are key interventions that are improving the lives of nearly 270 million people across 46 countries and five continents. MCC investments support stability and prosperity in partner countries all while furthering American interests. With cost-effective and transparent projects, a lean staff, and an evidence-based approach, MCC ensures American tax-payer dollars are well spent and go to countries that share our values.

MCC forms partnerships with developing countries who are committed to good governance, economic freedom and investing in their citizens. MCC is a prime example of smart U.S. Government assistance in action, benefiting both developing countries and the American taxpayers through:

  • Competitive selection: MCC’s Board examines a country’s performance on 20 independent and transparent policy indicators and selects countries based on policy performance.
  • Country-led solutions: MCC requires selected countries to identify their priorities for achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Countries develop their MCC proposals in broad consultation within their society. MCC then works in close partnership to help countries refine programs.
  • Country-led implementation: When a country is awarded an MCC compact, it sets up a local accountable entity to manage and oversee all aspects of implementation. Monitoring of funds is rigorous, transparent and often managed through independent fiscal agents.
  • Focus on results: MCC is committed to producing results and ensuring that the American people are getting a good return on their investment. MCC employs technically rigorous, systematic and transparent methods of projecting, tracking and evaluating the impacts of its programs.

Description of the Work

At the MCC, we strive to develop projects that make full use of the intern’s experience and knowledge while providing inspiring, valuable exposure to the intern’s areas of interest for growth and development. Specific projects are developed after intern selection with a scope designed to most fully benefit the intern and Agency. Economic Analysis interns at the MCC are integrated to work with collaborators and supervisors on routine and ad hoc research that contribute to the timely, high-quality analysis to steer investments in our global partner countries. This work includes data management and analysis, literature reviews, independent research, and document review. In the past, interns have carried out country-specific current accounts analyses, produced educational project microdata analysis, undertaken systems dynamics analysis of economic-political phenomena, developed technical tools and recommendations for country counterparts and staff, and generated cross-country comparison of economic sector practices and conditions.

Desired Skills

  • Familiarity with basic economic concepts and theory
  • Proficiency in statistics or applied mathematics
  • Demonstrated interest in international affairs/development
  • Proficiency with data management; experience with Stata preferred
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work in teams and independently
  • Preferred: Foreign language proficiency (especially French, Portuguese, or Spanish)

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