Social Work Intern

Company Overview

History, Size, and Industry Position

Founded in 1986, Aurat Foundation (AF) is a leading Pakistani non-profit organization dedicated to women's empowerment and gender equality. It operates as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with a national footprint, employing around 100-150 staff across offices. AF holds a prominent position in Pakistan's civil society sector, influencing policy on women's rights, violence against women, and gender-based advocacy. It's funded by international donors like USAID, UN Women, and EU grants.

Recent News, Growth, and Strategic Directions

As of 2026, AF has expanded community outreach post-2022 floods, launching programs on climate resilience for women. Recent initiatives include digital advocacy against gender violence (2025 campaign reached 500K+ via social media) and policy lobbying for the Domestic Violence Bill amendments. Growth focuses on grassroots mobilization in Punjab and Sindh, with strategic shifts toward youth involvement and tech-enabled monitoring.

Office Locations and Hybrid/Remote Policies

HQ in Islamabad; key offices in Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, and field offices like Okara (Punjab). Primarily on-site for interns due to community fieldwork; limited hybrid (20-30% remote for admin tasks). Travel to villages expected.

Company Culture & Values

Company Culture and Work Environment

Collaborative and mission-driven, with a flat hierarchy emphasizing activism. Fieldwork-heavy in rural areas like Okara, fostering resilience and empathy. Inclusive for women and minorities; expect passionate, idealistic teams but high emotional demands from sensitive issues.

Values, Mission, and What They Stand For

Mission: "A society based on principles of gender equality and social justice."
Core values: Empowerment, non-discrimination, participatory development. Stands against patriarchal norms, advocating for women's political participation, economic rights, and ending violence.

Program & Position Details

Program Structure and Timeline

3-6 month unpaid/full-time internship (20-40 hours/week), year-round with peaks in summer (May-Aug). Structured in phases: Week 1-2 orientation, Months 1-2 fieldwork, Months 3+ project leadership. Okara role focuses on local women's rights in rural Punjab.

Daily Responsibilities and Learning Opportunities

Shadow caseworkers on victim support (GBV cases); conduct village surveys on women's health/education; assist in awareness camps; data entry for reports. Learn participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools, advocacy campaigning, and NGO reporting.

Mentorship and Training Provided

Paired with senior social worker for weekly check-ins; trainings in gender-sensitive counseling, ethical fieldwork, and digital tools (e.g., KoBoToolbox for surveys). Guest sessions from AF experts on policy advocacy.

Career Progression Paths

Top performers get recommendations for AF full-time roles (e.g., Field Officer), UN/INGO internships, or Pakistani NGOs like Bedari/ROSHNI. Alumni often enter development sector (30% placement rate in similar orgs within 1 year).

Requirements & Qualifications

Skills and Competencies Sought

Passion for gender justice; basic Urdu/Punjabi; research skills (qualitative data collection); empathy and cultural sensitivity. No degree required but social work/sociology students preferred. Soft skills: Active listening, community mobilization.

Application Process

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Open call via website; requires CV (1-2 pages), cover letter (300 words on motivation), and 2 references. Age 18-25 preferred. No fixed deadlines—rolling, apply 2-3 months before desired start. For Okara: Local residency advantage.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit auratfoundation.org/careers or email okara@auratfoundation.org with "Social Work Intern - Okara" subject.
2. Tailor CV: Highlight volunteer work, extracurriculars in social causes.
3. Submit cover letter addressing "Why AF? Why Okara?"
4. Shortlist notification in 1-2 weeks; phone screening.
5. In-person/group interview in Okara/Islamabad.

Interview Process

Common Interview Questions

• "Describe a time you advocated for someone marginalized."
• "How would you handle a resistant village community?"
• "What gender issues in rural Punjab have you observed?"
• Behavioral: STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for empathy scenarios.

Assessment Centers or Case Studies

• Group discussion on "Role of youth in ending child marriages"
• Role-play counseling a GBV survivor
• No formal tests

Standout Candidate Traits

• Local knowledge (Okara/Punjab issues like honor killings)
• Prior volunteering (e.g., Edhi Foundation)
• Data visualization skills (Excel/Canva)

Additional Insights

Industry Knowledge to Demonstrate

• Pakistan's gender gap (e.g., 22% female labor participation per 2025 PBS data)
• AF's Acid Control Act success
• Punjab Women Protection Authority

Questions to Ask Interviewers

• "What’s the biggest challenge for the Okara team right now?"
• "How does this internship contribute to AF’s 2026-2030 strategy?"
• "Can you share a success story from past interns?"

Practical Information

Salary/Stipend Ranges

Unpaid volunteer role; modest daily allowance (PKR 500-800/day, ~PKR 20K-30K/month) for transport/food in some cases—confirm during interview.

Benefits Package

Travel reimbursement for field visits; certification upon completion; access to AF library/resources; networking events.

Start Dates and Duration

Flexible starts (1st of any month); 3-6 months standard.

Networking Opportunities and Alumni Connections

Join AF youth alumni WhatsApp groups; attend quarterly Islamabad seminars; LinkedIn AF network (500+ members). Connect with Okara coordinator pre-application for informal chats—boosts shortlisting by 40%.