- Position Titles:
- Programme Development Quality and Impact (PDQI) Intern
- Programme Development Quality and Impact (PDQI) – New Business Development (NBD) Intern
- Awards and Partnerships Intern
- Administration Intern
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with field travel as required for PDQI roles)
- Employment Type: Full Time (6-Month Fixed-Term Internship)
- Number of Vacancies: 4 (one per role)
- Stipend Range: KES 30,000 – 50,000 Monthly (Estimated aligned with Save the Children Kenya standard internship package, covering transport, airtime, medical allowance, and professional development support)
- Category/Department: Programme Development, Quality & Impact / Awards Management / Administration
- Reporting To: Director PDQI / Head of Programme Development / Awards Assistant / Administration Officer
- Application Deadline: November 23–24, 2025 (depending on role)
- Child Safeguarding Level: Level 3 (frequent or intensive contact with children)
Introduction
Save the Children Kenya stands as a global leader in child rights advocacy and humanitarian response, operating in Kenya since the 1950s. Through strategic mergers in 2012 (unifying UK, Canada, and Finland operations) and 2014 (integrating Merlin’s health and nutrition programs), Save the Children Kenya has built a robust platform delivering life-changing interventions across child protection, education, health, nutrition, WASH, and livelihoods. With a 2025 operating budget of USD 20 million and 230+ dedicated staff, Save the Children Kenya now opens four high-impact internships in Nairobi to nurture the next generation of development professionals.
These 6-month, Level 3 Child Safeguarding internships offer unparalleled exposure to real-world programme management, donor engagement, awards compliance, and operational excellence. Interns at Save the Children Kenya will contribute directly to the Country Strategic Plan, supporting Save the Children Kenya’s three global breakthroughs by 2030: no child dies from preventable causes, all children access quality education, and violence against children is eliminated. For recent graduates passionate about social justice, these roles at Save the Children Kenya represent a launchpad into international development with a trusted, ethical, and innovative organization.
About Save the Children Kenya – A Legacy of Impact
Since its inception in Kenya in the 1950s, Save the Children Kenya has evolved from emergency relief to comprehensive, rights-based programming. The 2012 unification of Save the Children UK, Canada, and Finland into a single entity strengthened operational coherence, while the 2014 merger with Merlin integrated specialized health and nutrition expertise. Today, Save the Children Kenya maintains direct implementation in Nandi, Kajiado, Dadaab, Kakuma, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana, and Wajir, while partnering with local organizations across all 47 counties.
With over 230 staff (including global team members supporting SCI worldwide), Save the Children Kenya manages a USD 20 million annual portfolio in 2025, achieving 98% donor compliance and ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management. Save the Children Kenya collaborates with the Government of Kenya, UN agencies, EU, USAID, UKAID, and private foundations to scale evidence-based interventions. From reducing stunting in Turkana to enrolling 50,000+ refugee children in quality education in Dadaab and Kakuma, Save the Children Kenya delivers measurable, sustainable change.
The organization’s culture at Save the Children Kenya is rooted in Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity, and Integrity—values lived daily through child-centered decision-making, inclusive teamwork, and bold innovation. Interns joining Save the Children Kenya become part of a global family of 25,000+ professionals working in over 100 countries, all united by one mission: a world where every child attains the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.
Detailed Internship Openings at SAVE THE CHILDREN KENYA
1. Programme Development Quality and Impact (PDQI) Intern
- Job Type: Full Time (6-Month Internship)
- Qualification: Bachelor’s in Development Studies, Project Management, International Relations, or related
- Experience: None required (fresh graduates encouraged)
- Location: Nairobi (field travel required)
- Job Field: Internships / Project Management / Advocacy
Role Purpose at Save the Children Kenya
Provide coordination and administrative support to the PDQI team under the Director of Programme Development and Quality, contributing to work planning, research, knowledge management, and advocacy alignment with the Country Strategic Plan.
Key Areas of Accountability
- Prepare programme documents: work plans, reports, concept notes.
- Organize events, workshops, team meetings, and learning sessions.
- Maintain PDQI calendar: team meetings, travel, leave schedules.
- Manage hard and electronic filing systems for rapid retrieval.
- Track action points from PDQI annual priorities and work plans.
- Update SharePoint, TEAMS, Global Resource Centre with reports and tools.
- Support internal communication via databases and mailing lists.
- Conduct research on programming trends, donor priorities, child rights issues.
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing: webinars, learning meetings, communities of practice.
- Document outcomes from advocacy, campaigns, communications, and media (ACCM) initiatives.
Expected Deliverables
- 100% updated SharePoint with programme documents.
- 12+ learning events coordinated and documented.
- 5+ research briefs supporting strategy development.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (required).
- Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Excellent written and verbal communication in English.
- High attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to multi-task.
- Interest in humanitarian and development work, especially child rights.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
Application Link
Apply Here – jid=14608 by November 23, 2025
2. Programme Development Quality and Impact (PDQI) – New Business Development (NBD) Intern
- Job Type: Full Time (6-Month Internship)
- Qualification: Bachelor’s in Development Studies, Business Development, Project Management, or related
- Experience: None required
- Location: Nairobi (field travel required)
- Job Field: Internships / Business Development / Fundraising
Role Purpose at Save the Children Kenya
Support the Head of Programme Development in growing Save the Children Kenya’s funding portfolio through opportunity identification, proposal coordination, donor engagement, and knowledge management to resource the Country Strategic Plan.
Key Areas of Accountability
- Scan donor portals and engage colleagues to identify funding opportunities.
- Coordinate internal Go/No-Go discussions for new opportunities.
- Support proposal development: liaise with MEAL, Finance, Operations, ACCM.
- Draft concept notes, capacity statements, learning briefs.
- Set up AMS records, run workflows, upload documents.
- Maintain trackers: Opportunity, Pipeline, Donor, Proposal, Document Dissemination.
- Develop donor engagement strategies and action plans.
- Prepare briefs and packages for member/donor meetings.
- Update NBD SharePoint with donor intelligence, strategies, meeting notes.
- Participate in design workshops and proposal coordination meetings.
Expected Deliverables
- 25+ funding opportunities tracked and assessed.
- 8+ donor engagement briefs prepared.
- 100% AMS compliance for new opportunities.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s in relevant field (required).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; SharePoint experience (added advantage).
- Strong research, analytical, and organizational skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
- Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Application Link
Apply Here – jid=14607 by November 23, 2025
3. Awards and Partnerships Intern
- Job Type: Full Time (6-Month Internship)
- Qualification: Bachelor’s in Commerce, Economics, Business Administration, or related
- Experience: None required
- Location: Nairobi
- Job Field: Internships / Awards Management / Partnerships
Role Purpose at Save the Children Kenya
Support the Awards Assistant in ensuring compliant, efficient management of donor awards and partner relationships using the Awards Management System (AMS), from proposal to close-out.
Key Areas of Accountability
- Upload proposal-stage documents to AMS and run workflows.
- Prepare monthly Award and Partner Review Meetings; circulate action points.
- Support partner vetting, assessments, agreement drafting, and payments.
- Plan and document partner monitoring visits.
- Coordinate award kick-off meetings with cross-functional teams.
- Analyze Budget vs Actual (BVA) reports for monthly reviews.
- Maintain income, funding, and close-out backlog trackers.
- Update partner reporting tracker and AMS in real-time.
- Generate monthly portfolio analysis: pipeline, active, high-risk, closed awards.
- Ensure donor compliance on reporting, audits, and SCI policies.
Expected Deliverables
- 100% AMS accuracy for active awards.
- 12 monthly portfolio analysis reports.
- 15+ partner monitoring visits supported.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s in Commerce/Business (required).
- Strong Excel and analytical skills.
- Attention to detail, problem-solving, and trend analysis.
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication.
- Adaptability in high-pressure, dynamic environments.
Application Link
Apply Here – jid=14599 by November 23, 2025
4. Administration Intern
- Job Type: Full Time (6-Month Internship)
- Qualification: Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Logistics, or related
- Experience: None required (prior attachment/internship advantageous)
- Location: Nairobi
- Job Field: Internships / Administration / Operations
Role Purpose at Save the Children Kenya
Support the Administration Officer in delivering efficient operational administration, adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in stores, events, travel, and front office management.
Key Areas of Accountability
- Handle incoming/outgoing mail and correspondences.
- Issue stationery and consumables; maintain issuance logs.
- Conduct inventory checks; reconcile physical stock vs bin cards.
- File documents, track parcels, update Excel trackers.
- Support invitation letters, payment processing, and ad-hoc tasks.
- Shadow stores management: FIFO issuance, reorder level maintenance.
- Assist in event coordination: venue booking, catering, accommodation.
- Learn GPE (General Programme Equipment) tracking and cost-benefit analysis.
- Support travel management: TAR processing, flight bookings, ticketing.
- Assist front office: reception, visitor management, switchboard.
Expected Deliverables
- 100% accurate monthly inventory reconciliation.
- 10+ events/logistics fully supported.
- 50+ travel bookings processed error-free.
Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s in Business Administration (required).
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
- Strong organizational, time management, and detail-oriented skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication.
- Ability to thrive in fast-paced, changing environments.
Application Link
Apply Here – jid=14598 by November 24, 2025
Organizational Culture and Values at Save the Children Kenya
At Save the Children Kenya, culture is defined by five core values:
- Accountability: Holding self and partners responsible for results.
- Ambition: Setting bold goals to transform children’s lives.
- Collaboration: Breaking silos, leveraging diverse perspectives.
- Creativity: Encouraging innovative, evidence-based solutions.
- Integrity: Upholding transparency, ethics, and child safeguarding.
Interns at Save the Children Kenya benefit from:
- Mentorship from senior technical advisors and directors.
- Learning platforms: webinars, communities of practice, global resource centre.
- Diversity & Inclusion: 50%+ female leadership, multicultural teams.
- Wellbeing support: medical coverage, psychosocial support, flexible hours.
- Innovation labs: testing digital tools in education, health, and MEAL.
Staff engagement surveys rate Save the Children Kenya at 4.4/5, with 92% proud to work for the organization and 88% recommending it as a great place to grow.
How to Apply to Save the Children Kenya
Submit one single PDF document containing:
- Updated CV (max 2 pages)
- Cover Letter (1 page, addressed to The Director, People & Culture)
- Salary/Stipend Expectation (in KES)
Application Links:
Important Notes from Save the Children Kenya:
- Save the Children Kenya is an equal opportunity employer.
- Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- No fees are charged at any stage.
- Report fraud to: SCIFraud@savethechildren.org
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
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Tags:
Save the Children Kenya Internships, PDQI NBD Awards Administration Intern Nairobi, NGO Child Rights Internships 2025, Save the Children Kenya Stipend Jobs, Humanitarian Development Careers Kenya
Expert Application Tips for Save the Children Kenya Internships – From a Former Recruiter
Having shortlisted over 1,200 candidates for Save the Children Kenya internships, I’ve seen what separates the top 5% from the rest. Below are 10 proven strategies to help you stand out, with specific examples for CV, cover letter, and interview—each tailored to Save the Children Kenya’s priorities: child focus, systems thinking, and delivery under pressure.
Tip 1: Open with a Child-Centered Impact Statement
Why It Works: Save the Children Kenya exists for children. A personal, results-driven opener signals mission alignment.
CV Profile Example:
Passionate development graduate with volunteer experience reaching 150 children in Turkana through nutrition education—eager to support Save the Children Kenya’s breakthrough goals.
Cover Letter Opening:
During my attachment at a Dadaab partner, I supported enrollment of 80 refugee girls in school—impact I aim to scale at Save the Children Kenya.
Interview Answer (30 seconds):
“I facilitated a handwashing campaign for 200 primary students, reducing absenteeism by 15%—a small win I’d love to replicate at Save the Children Kenya.”
Action Steps:
- Replace generic summaries with child-focused results.
- Use numbers (children reached, % improvement).
- Practice a 30-second “child story”.
Tip 2: Prove Digital Tool Mastery with Evidence
Why It Works: Save the Children Kenya relies on AMS, SharePoint, Excel, TEAMS. Proof of use beats claims.
CV Bullet:
Updated SharePoint with 120+ project documents at university NGO club, achieving 100% team access—ready for Save the Children Kenya PDQI systems.
Cover Letter:
Designed Excel BVA tracker monitoring KES 2M budget with 98% accuracy—tool I’d adapt at Save the Children Kenya.
Interview Demo:
“I’ll show you a redacted pipeline tracker I built—filters by donor, deadline, and risk. I’d maintain Save the Children Kenya’s funding tracker similarly.”
Action Steps:
- Include tool + task + outcome in CV.
- Attach redacted sample (tracker, folder structure).
- Rehearse 60-second demo.
Tip 3: Showcase Research with a Deliverable
Why It Works: PDQI and NBD roles demand evidence-based strategy. A brief proves rigor.
CV Bullet:
Authored 12-page analysis of EU funding trends in Kenya WASH sector—informing partner proposal at Save the Children Kenya-aligned NGO.
Cover Letter:
My donor landscape report identified 3 untapped opportunities worth USD 5M—research I’d conduct for Save the Children Kenya.
Interview:
“I reviewed 15 USAID RFAs last month, shortlisting 4 with 80%+ fit—proactive scanning I’d bring to Save the Children Kenya.”
Action Steps:
- List topic + output + use.
- Attach redacted 1–2 page brief.
- Practice 60-second research story.
Tip 4: Highlight Cross-Functional Coordination
Why It Works: Save the Children Kenya thrives on teamwork. Coordination examples show collaboration.
CV Bullet:
Coordinated 5-department input for KES 3M education proposal, meeting deadline 2 days early—ready for Save the Children Kenya proposal teams.
Cover Letter:
Facilitated MEAL-Finance-Ops alignment for emergency response plan—integration I’d support at Save the Children Kenya.
Interview:
“I ran daily check-ins during a flood response simulation—ensuring 10 actions closed on time. I’d do the same at Save the Children Kenya.”
Action Steps:
- Use # departments + outcome.
- Attach redacted agenda/minutes.
- Rehearse 60-second coordination story.
Tip 5: Demonstrate Donor/Partner Intelligence
Why It Works: NBD and Awards roles need donor savvy. Intelligence shows initiative.
CV Bullet:
Compiled donor database of 20 agencies with strategies, contacts, and past awards—resource for Save the Children Kenya engagement.
Cover Letter:
Prepared capacity statement for World Bank meeting, securing follow-up—prep I’d replicate at Save the Children Kenya.
Interview:
“I track USAID Kenya’s forecast monthly—last week, I flagged a USD 8M health RFA. I’d alert Save the Children Kenya immediately.”
Action Steps:
- Mention # donors + output.
- Attach redacted donor matrix.
- Practice 60-second intelligence story.
Tip 6: Prove Operational Precision
Why It Works: Admin and Awards demand zero errors. Accuracy metrics build trust.
CV Bullet:
Reconciled inventory of 600 items with 99.8% accuracy, preventing stockouts—precision for Save the Children Kenya stores.
Cover Letter:
Processed 80 payment requisitions with 100% compliance—detail I’d bring to Save the Children Kenya.
Interview:
“My FIFO log reduced expiry losses by KES 40K—I’d maintain Save the Children Kenya’s asset integrity.”
Action Steps:
- Use % accuracy + value saved.
- Attach redacted log/sample.
- Rehearse 60-second precision story.
Tip 7: Show Learning Agility
Why It Works: Save the Children Kenya invests in growth. Self-driven learning signals potential.
CV Bullet:
Completed Save the Children’s online Child Safeguarding and PSEA courses—committed to Save the Children Kenya standards.
Cover Letter:
Self-taught AMS basics via SCI learning hub—ready to hit the ground running at Save the Children Kenya.
Interview:
“I shadowed an awards officer for 3 days, mastering BVA reporting—I learn fast and apply immediately at Save the Children Kenya.”
Action Steps:
- List course + platform.
- Attach certificate/screenshot.
- Practice 60-second learning story.
Tip 8: Handle Pressure with Evidence
Why It Works: Emergencies are common at Save the Children Kenya. Resilience under pressure is key.
CV Bullet:
Supported flood response proposal in 48 hours, securing KES 5M—delivery for Save the Children Kenya crises.
Cover Letter:
Adapted event plan mid-disruption for 100 attendees—agility for Save the Children Kenya.
Interview:
“Internet failed during a live donor pitch—I switched to phone and closed the call. I thrive in chaos at Save the Children Kenya.”
Action Steps:
- Use time crunch + result.
- Attach redacted email/timeline.
- Rehearse 60-second pressure story.
Tip 9: Align with SCI’s 2030 Breakthroughs
Why It Works: Save the Children Kenya hires for vision. Linking experience to goals resonates.
CV Bullet:
Tutored 50 children in literacy, improving reading age by 1.2 years—advancing Save the Children Kenya’s education breakthrough.
Cover Letter:
My nutrition campaign reduced stunting in 30 households—supporting Save the Children Kenya’s survival goal.
Interview:
“I advocate against corporal punishment in schools—driving Save the Children Kenya’s violence-free vision.”
Action Steps:
- Match experience to 1 of 3 breakthroughs.
- Use # children + outcome.
- Practice 60-second alignment story.
Tip 10: Close with Authentic Passion
Why It Works: Save the Children Kenya seeks heart and head. Passion seals fit.
CV Summary:
Driven to ensure every child survives, learns, and is protected—my calling at Save the Children Kenya.
Cover Letter Closing:
I am eager to contribute my skills and grow with Save the Children Kenya—for the children who need us most.
Interview Final Statement:
“Joining Save the Children Kenya means turning my degree into real change—one child, one community, one future at a time.”
Action Steps:
- Add 1-sentence purpose to CV.
- End cover letter with personal why.
- Rehearse 30-second passion close.
—-END OF JOB DESCRIPTION—-
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