Overview | Department and Internship Descriptions | Current Openings | Selection Process | Apply
Below are general descriptions of the functions of OPIC's various departments, with brief descriptions of typical intern duties in each.
For general internships, applicants should refer to the list of specific internships available for any given semester in order to prioritize and route their applications to the appropriate departments for review.
Credit Policy Group
The Credit Policy internship is located in the Credit Policy Group (CP) which resides in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The CP function exists for the independent review and evaluation of all credit aspects of Direct Loans and Investment Guaranty transactions originated in OPIC’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Structured Finance (SF) departments. CP conducts credit policy reviews of complex new and existing OPIC finance transactions for compliance with OPIC credit policies and procedures, and to advance prudent underwriting guidelines for OPIC projects and transactions. CP also conducts and may assist the SMEF and SF project teams, as necessary, in direct underwriting of finance transactions.
The CP intern serves as a junior analyst and assists CP staff in the development of credit approval policies and procedures for, and administration of, the Direct Loan and Investment Guaranty programs in SMEF and SF; advises SMEF and SF on credit policy issues; assesses new loan and guaranty products; may present and defend project credit assessments and proposals to SMEF, SF and CP staff and project teams; participates in identifying, developing, and executing effective plans to streamline and improve OPIC credit policy activities; and keeps abreast of changes in international banking and credit practices as well as certain OPIC-specific legislative and regulatory changes. CP Interns may also research various policy issues and prepare country, sectoral and company credit analysis and other administrative duties as assigned.
Office of External Affairs
The Office of External Affairs is the public affairs, communications, and Congressional and inter-agency liaison arm of OPIC, the U.S. Government’s development finance institution. The office manages all aspects of external outreach to various audiences. OEA issues news releases; publishes all of the agencies printed materials such as program brochures, newsletters and annual reports; manages OPIC’s web and social media properties; arranges investment and trade related events such as seminars, conferences, and workshops; and makes presentations and/or arranges for OPIC officers to speak at various events. OEA also acts as the agency's liaison with members of Congress and their staff (both here in Washington DC and in Congressional Districts of interest) as well as other federal and state government agencies and non-governmental organizations. OPIC’s in-house Information Center is also a part of the Office of External Affairs.
Interns in the Office of External Affairs support efforts to provide reporters with information about OPIC, assist in the creation of news releases, publications and other content, conduct research, respond to information requests and other related duties. Interns in the Congressional Affairs Office perform a variety of work at OPIC related to the U.S. Congress, which may include attending congressional hearings, assisting in responding to telephone and written communications, conducting research, preparing papers, etc.
Finance Department
Finance internships are available in two related departments: Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Structured Finance (SF). Small and Medium Enterprises supports American investment abroad by providing long-term small to medium size loans to small and middle market clients in a wide variety of projects, while Structured Finance provides larger, long-term loans to finance large infrastructure projects.
In either department, interns serve as junior financial analysts and can be involved in all stages of project development as part of a project team. Interns may review applications for financing and financial statements, build or analyze models of projected project cash flows, research various policy issues, prepare country economic and political risk analyses, prepare credit reviews of outstanding loans and work with Investment Officers to review and monitor problem accounts
Insurance Department
The Insurance Department issues political risk insurance policies to protect investments in developing countries against political risks including currency inconvertibility, war, and expropriation and political violence.
Interns perform insurance portfolio analysis, conduct research on underwriting issues and selected topics in international investment, assist insurance officers with contract amendments and country risk profiles, and undertake business development and market research tasks.
Investment Funds Department
Interns analyze and review materials on venture capital/private equity fund proposals; design and modify financial models; prepare written reports on current funds; research new financial structures and investment vehicles; and perform due diligence on proposed funds.
Capital markets interns will analyze financial market information and inter-relationships and maintain performance measures and statistics relating to OPIC's international project finance and investment funds transactions and their market behavior. Particular focus is placed on market pricing, performance of banks providing services to OPIC, determining investors in OPIC-guaranteed obligations and deal structuring practices and opportunities available to OPIC financial markets.
Office of the Chief Financial Officer
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer comprises the Budget Office, Financial Management, Corporate Performance and Strategic Planning (Internal Controls and Strategic Planning), Portfolio Management, Risk Management, and Credit Policy. Internships vary according to the office in which the intern is working but duties may include: assisting staff on risk and credit analysis and assessment; budget development, implementation and assessment; accounting, auditing and internal control assessment; or portfolio servicing and monitoring.
Office of Administrative Services
The Office of Administrative Services encompasses Human Resources Management, Office of the Chief Information Officer, and Security and Administrative Services. Internships are in a wide variety of areas and duties may include working in data processing and assisting personnel management activities.
Office of Investment Policy
The Office of Investment Policy analyzes proposed investment projects to ensure their eligibility for OPIC assistance with regard to the agency's policies on worker rights and environmental standards, employment and development and market effects; performs risk analyses and portfolio analyses; and monitors existing projects to assure continued adherence to contractual provisions and statutory requirements.
Intern duties may include providing assistance in establishing global risk measurement and management methodologies with respect to regional, country, sector and customer concentrations; reviewing portfolio models and determining their applicability to OPIC; conduct research on public policy issues as they apply to OPIC; or perform research and analyses on the impact of potential investments on emerging markets and project host countries with regard to developmental effects, environmental, and worker safety and rights issues, etc.
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