Contact:
Nick Diehl
301-594-1350
diehln@mail.nih.gov
http://ombudsman.nih.gov/

The Organization:
The NIH, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting medical research. Helping to lead the way toward important medical discoveries that improve people’s health and save lives, NIH scientists investigate ways to prevent disease as well as the causes, treatments, and even cures for common and rare diseases.

NIH Office of the Ombudsman / Center for Cooperative Resolution Profile
The NIH Office of the Ombudsman, Center for Cooperative Resolution is a neutral, independent, and confidential resource providing informal assistance to NIH scientists, administrators, and support staff in addressing work-related issues. The Ombudsman, who directs the Center, serves as a focal point for conflict resolution at NIH by (1) providing confidential, informal assistance to employees and managers in resolving work-related concerns, and (2)developing and coordinating effective dispute resolution processes and procedures. The Center offers a variety of services and programs to address likely sources of conflict such as performance appraisals, harassment, mentoring relationships, and scientific collaboration.

Internship Description:
Under the supervision of the NIH Center for Cooperative Resolution (CCR) staff, the CCR Intern will have the opportunity to learn about the function of an organizational ombudsman office. The Intern will focus on one major project and will observe and assist with individual consultation sessions; mediation processes; group facilitations; conflict resolution system development and assessment; conflict-related research; and trend identification based on aggregate data. Additionally, the Intern will assist with a variety of administrative tasks for the Office, such as providing support for a peer panel composed of managers and employees to hear employee grievances. The Intern will also be assigned a mentor who will help provide guidance throughout the internship.

The number of hours per week and the length of the internship will be established at the time an offer is extended.

Requirements:
The position requires an individual who is familiar with conflict resolution theory, has good listening skills, strong oral and written communication skills, and a keen analytic ability to understand organizational as well as individual conflict dynamics. Knowledge of the Organizational Ombudsman role is helpful. Absolute discretion and confidentiality is imperative.

The Ombudsman Internship is a paid position.