Intern, Health Research and Evaluation na Special Olympics

Position Title: Intern, Health Research and Evaluation

Location: Washington, DC

Department: Health

Reports to: Director, Research and Evaluation

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hourly rate: College Credit

Organization Summary:

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. We foster acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With nearly four million athletes and Unified Sports® partners and one million coaches and volunteers in more than 170 countries, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and nearly 50,000 games and competitions every year. Learn more at SpecialOlympics.org. 

Job Summary

This internship will support the implementation and evaluation of Special Olympics Healthy Communities. As of 2024. Healthy Communities has been activated in 154 Special Olympics Programs around the world and has yielded athlete engagement, increased attention to health from athletes and caregivers, and significantly increased health system partnerships.

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Learn and understand 1) Special Olympics International Health strategy and the activities that occur within each pillar of the PATH to health equity; and 2) health activities that occur across Special Olympics Regions and Programs.
• Under the supervision of Special Olympics R&E staff, conduct data quality assessments of Healthy Communities reporting from Special Olympics Programs
• Compile, track, and record clarifications needed from Programs to correct reporting errors
• Merge data from collaborations and partner lists to create a comprehensive list of health partnerships for Special Olympics Programs.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data from Healthy Communities reports to support reporting for internal and external Special Olympics stakeholders
• Complete a final report that showcases learnings and the work product developed as part of the internship

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in college courses and pursuing a degree in public health or other related field.

• Excellent written and verbal skills with the ability to communicate with external audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint) and strength in learning new technologies and programs.
• Strong attention to detail, along with skills in organization, time management and prioritization.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently with minimal supervision.

Desired Qualifications:

• Prior experience or background knowledge in Special Olympics and/or a passion for working with individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
• Some knowledge of or interest in disability inclusion, sport development, coaching, and/or non-profits.

Internship Schedule:

The Intern will work 36 hours per week beginning January 27^th, 2026, and ending May 8^th, 2026.  The intern will be expected at Special Olympics Headquarters on a hybrid schedule with in-office days aligning with days the supervisor is in the office.

Terms of Compensation:

This is an unpaid internship – the Intern will receive school credit.