Working for an NGO is a dream for many, but very often the first step towards it is doing an internship. Depending on the non-profit organization, internship programs can be very competitive. Here is the list of the 10 NGO internships in Kenya.
RefuSHE
RefuSHE is a non-profit organization with headquarters in
Nairobi, Kenya which works
with refugee communities in East Africa. RefuSHE is dedicated to
identify, protect and empower unaccompanied refugee children and youth.
According to its co-founders, most vulnerable refugees are separated or
orphaned girls and young women who need specialized shelter and education. This
NGO provides the full spectrum of care and protection for young women and
children in Nairobi and offers paid internships in various positions. The
amount of monthly stipend varies. Interested candidates wishing to join RefuSHE
team should carefully follow the official website. Preferred candidates should
hold a bachelor’s
degree in Social Work, Sociology, Counseling Psychology or related
field, but not mandatory. Application requires a cover letter, detailed CV and
contact of a referee.
One Acre Fund
One Acre Fund is a non-profit social enterprise and Africa’s
largest network of smallholder farmers. It aims at financing and training of smallholders
to help them grow their way out of hunger and build permanent prosperity. One
Acre Fund started its Young Professionals Program, a paid internship program
that offers recent African graduates to upgrade their skills and gain
experience at the high-performing organization. Applicants should primarily be
university graduates, fluent in English and the country’s local language. The
internship application process is opened twice a year, while interested
candidates should check out the article “4 tips for a successful Once Acre Find
internship application”, published on the organization’s website. This is a
paid internship with a stipend that covers living/housing, transportations, and
communications costs.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an
independent National Human Rights Institution with a purpose to promote human
rights, democratic values, human dignity, and social justice. Since 2003 the
KNCHR is implementing an internship programme, seeking to enable new and
youthful talent students for the job market in human rights and assist them in
the career learning process. Internship vacancies are opened and announced on a
need-be basis through the official website, partner organizations and daily
newspapers. Interested applicants can write to internships@knchr.org e-mail
address for eventual enquires.
African Wildlife Foundation
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is the leading
international conservation organization that works exclusively in the field of
Africa’s wildlife and wild lands. Therefore, AWF protects Africa’s wildlife and
its natural resources by influencing natural resources management policies and
promoting best conservation practices in the region. While the Foundation
doesn’t have a specific Internship program, there are various opportunities
published on the website. Stipend depends on the position and interested
candidates are advised to catch up with the vacancy page and apply with CV
and cover
letter as one file to the HR & Administration Manager.
World Vision Kenya
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization
devoted to working with children, families, and communities worldwide to reach
their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The World
Vision offers Graduate internship program (GRIP) to highly motivated young
people interested in the work of the organization. The internship is focused on
innovative ideas and perspectives, the latest research experience and improving the skills of the applicants. For more information on the application process,
interested graduates should check out the website and contact the World Vision
recruitment person.
World Wide Fund for Nature Kenya
World Wide Fund for Nature Kenya (WWF-Kenya) is a locally
registered non-governmental conservation organization and a part of the World
Wide Fund for Nature International (WWF). WWF is working in Kenya for the past
55 years, focusing on integrated freshwater resource management, management of
marine resources, conservation and restoration of disappearing forests and many
other areas. With a mission to stop the degradation of our planet’s natural
environment, WWF offers numerous internship opportunities to young people. The
most known is the Youth Volunteer Internship Programme, who seeks candidates
from 19-27 years, fluent in English and with a good level of French. This is a
12-month paid assignment.
SOS Children’s Villages Kenya
SOS Children’s Villages Kenya (SOS CV KE) is an affiliate of
SOS CV- International, which comprises of 118 national SOS Children’s Villages
associations whose mission is to build families for children in need, help them
shape their futures and share in the development of their communities. In
Kenya, SOS Children operates in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, Meru, and Kisumu
with a mission to strengthen families and understanding of how to care for
children who are in parental need. Following Sustainable Development Goals
agenda, the organization works in areas of poverty, inequality, education,
health, social and child protection, and decent work. Depending on the needs,
different internship vacancies are opened on the official website. Interested
applicants should have excellent knowledge of the English language,
demonstrated communication skills and other competencies which depend on the role
specifications. The full application requires CV up to date and cover letter.
Refugee Consortium of Kenya
Refugee Consortium of Kenya (RCK) or commonly referred as to
“Haki House” (Right house) by refugees is Kenyan national non-governmental
organization that promotes and protects the rights and dignity of refugees,
asylum seekers and forced migrants in the country and the wider East African
region. RCK offers internships and volunteer opportunities who hold an academic
background in Law, Psychology and Social Work and can demonstrate strong
analytical and report writing skills. Proficiency in English is obligatory,
while knowledge of Kiswahili is desirable. Many positions could be found
depending on the needs of the organization, while interested candidates should
send their CV and cover letter to info@rckkenya.org.
International Rescue Committee
International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian aid,
relief, and development non-governmental organization that among other
countries operates in Kenya. The IRC distributes several difference services,
such as emergency response, health care, programs fighting gender-based
violence, post-conflict development projects, children and youth protection and
education programs, water and sanitation systems, strengthening the capacity of
local organizations, and supporting civil society and good-governance
initiatives. IRC offers summer internships in different locations and other
internship offers. Applicants should be skilled and passionate about the
position they are applying for. Ongoing opportunities could be found under the “careers”
section of the official website.
Justice Africa
Justice Africa is an advocacy organization with a focus on human rights and social justice campaigning. Across Africa, the organization supports civil society through various activities and seeks to give a voice to marginalized groups or individuals affected by conflicts. Their slogan is: “Nothing for me without me”. Justice Africa has internship schemes for young professionals, recent graduates or currently enrolled students from Universities across the world. The internship aims at engaging young policy researches and empowering young activists by building their professional skills. There is no need for any professional experience to join Justice Africa inters team and internship last from three to six months, located in either Nairobi or Juba. The organization doesn’t offer any stipend but states that a number of their former interns have gained opportunities from jobs, universities or competitions to visit or work in Africa.