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Program Intern – REWARDS Programme

TechnoServe is seeking two motivated, passionate, and socially conscious Program Interns to support the implementation of the REWARDS programme. The opportunity is suitable for recent graduates who are eager to apply their academic knowledge to practical social and economic challenges while gaining valuable experience in community development, business support, field operations, and disability inclusion.

The successful interns will work closely with Business Counsellors and the wider programme team to support participants through mobilization, training, business advisory services, monitoring, and business group formation.

This role provides an opportunity to work directly with programme participants and contribute to initiatives aimed at strengthening livelihoods, improving financial independence, and building resilience through micro-retail businesses.

One of the two interns will also serve as a role model and resource person within the programme, helping promote inclusive practices and supporting the meaningful participation of women with disabilities.

About the Role

The Program Intern will provide day-to-day support to Business Counsellors as they implement REWARDS programme activities in the field.

The role will involve a combination of community mobilization, participant engagement, training support, field visits, data collection, reporting, and documentation.

The intern will have regular interaction with programme participants and will be expected to communicate respectfully, professionally, and effectively with people from different backgrounds.

A key aspect of the position will be supporting women with disabilities to access programme opportunities and ensuring that programme activities are inclusive and accessible.

The role is particularly suited to a recent graduate who is interested in social impact, entrepreneurship, community development, financial inclusion, and disability inclusion.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Support Participant Training

The Program Intern will assist Business Counsellors in delivering training sessions to REWARDS programme participants.

Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the preparation and delivery of training workshops.

• Assisting participants during training sessions.

• Helping explain programme concepts and activities in a clear and practical manner.

• Ensuring participants understand the training materials and programme requirements.

• Supporting the implementation of training activities in accordance with programme guidelines.

• Providing general assistance to Business Counsellors during workshops.

• Helping create a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

• Following up on participant needs identified during training.

The intern should be comfortable working with groups and interacting with participants in a supportive and respectful manner.

2. Conduct Field Visits

The intern will accompany Business Counsellors during regular field visits to programme participants.

During these visits, the intern may be required to:

• Observe participant business activities.

• Support monitoring of business progress.

• Record relevant information from site visits.

• Identify challenges affecting participating businesses.

• Assist Business Counsellors in identifying practical solutions.

• Follow up on issues raised by programme participants.

• Collect information that can be used to assess programme progress.

• Maintain accurate field records.

Field visits will provide the intern with practical exposure to small-business development and community-based programme implementation.

3. Support Business Advisory Activities

The intern will assist Business Counsellors in providing practical support to programme participants.

This may include:

• Supporting participants during business advisory sessions.

• Helping identify common business challenges.

• Supporting the delivery of practical business guidance.

• Encouraging participants to apply lessons learned through programme training.

• Following up on agreed actions during subsequent visits.

• Helping Business Counsellors track participant progress.

• Supporting business group formation and related activities.

The intern should demonstrate patience, empathy, and an ability to communicate business information in a simple and understandable way.

4. Participant Mobilization and Recruitment

An important responsibility will be supporting the programme team in mobilizing and recruiting eligible participants.

The intern will:

• Assist with community outreach activities.

• Support the identification of potential programme participants.

• Communicate programme information to prospective participants.

• Assist in recruitment activities.

• Help ensure women with disabilities are aware of available opportunities.

• Support inclusive mobilization approaches.

• Respond to basic participant questions and direct complex queries to the appropriate programme staff.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills will be essential for this part of the role.

5. Disability Inclusion

The position has a strong focus on disability inclusion.

The intern will help promote accessible and inclusive practices throughout REWARDS programme activities.

Responsibilities may include:

• Supporting the participation of women with disabilities.

• Identifying accessibility challenges during programme activities.

• Encouraging respectful and inclusive interactions.

• Helping the programme team understand participant needs.

• Promoting equal access to training and business support.

• Serving as a positive role model for participants.

• Sharing practical suggestions for improving accessibility.

• Supporting the implementation of disability-inclusive approaches.

The intern should understand the importance of dignity, respect, accessibility, and equal opportunity when working with persons with disabilities.

Candidates with lived experience of disability are particularly encouraged to apply.

6. Monitoring and Data Collection

The Program Intern will support Business Counsellors and the programme team with field monitoring and data collection.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Recording participant information accurately.

• Supporting collection of programme data.

• Updating participant progress information.

• Checking that field records are complete.

• Supporting monitoring activities during site visits.

• Identifying missing or inconsistent information.

• Maintaining organized records.

• Supporting the preparation of programme reports.

Attention to detail will be important because accurate participant information is essential for measuring programme performance and demonstrating impact.

7. Document Success Stories

The intern will assist the programme team in documenting the experiences and achievements of participants.

This may involve:

• Identifying potential participant success stories.

• Conducting basic interviews with participants.

• Recording information about business progress.

• Taking photographs or videos where appropriate and with proper consent.

• Documenting changes resulting from programme participation.

• Preparing draft success stories for review by the programme team.

Any content involving participants should be collected respectfully and in a way that protects their dignity, privacy, and consent.

Basic photography and videography skills will therefore be an advantage.

8. Programme Meetings and Reporting

The intern will work closely with the REWARDS programme team and contribute to routine programme activities.

Responsibilities will include:

• Participating in programme meetings.

• Providing updates on assigned field activities.

• Supporting preparation of programme reports.

• Assisting with documentation of activities.

• Sharing relevant observations from field visits.

• Supporting follow-up on programme action points.

• Maintaining organized programme records.

The intern should be willing to learn from experienced team members and contribute positively to team discussions.

Qualifications

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

1. A Bachelor's degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.

2. A strong interest in social impact and community development.

3. An interest in micro-retail as a tool for improving financial independence and economic resilience.

4. Good communication and interpersonal skills.

5. Strong organizational and record-keeping abilities.

6. Willingness to participate in field activities and community engagement.

7. Ability to work effectively as part of a programme team.

8. Willingness and ability to travel locally for field assignments.

Previous experience working with or supporting persons with disabilities will be highly desirable.

Applicants with lived experience of disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Preferred Skills

The following skills and experience will be an added advantage:

• Basic photography and videography skills.

• Experience documenting community stories or programme activities.

• Understanding of disability inclusion principles.

• Experience supporting community mobilization.

• Experience in data collection and field monitoring.

• Strong report-writing abilities.

• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office or similar productivity tools.

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups.

• Experience supporting entrepreneurship or livelihood programmes.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate should be:

• Passionate about creating positive social impact.

• Respectful and empathetic when working with programme participants.

• Organized and detail-oriented.

• Proactive and willing to take initiative.

• Comfortable working in communities and field environments.

• A strong team player.

• Willing to learn and receive feedback.

• Reliable and responsible when handling programme information.

• Committed to disability inclusion and equal opportunity.

• Able to adapt to changing field requirements.

Travel and Field Work

The position requires regular local travel to accompany Business Counsellors during participant visits and programme activities.

The successful interns should therefore be prepared to travel within Kisumu, Nairobi, and neighbouring counties as required.

Fieldwork may involve interacting directly with participants, visiting businesses, supporting training sessions, collecting data, and participating in community mobilization activities.

Opportunity for Recent Graduates

This internship offers recent graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience while contributing to a programme focused on economic empowerment and social inclusion.

Interns will gain exposure to business development, community engagement, programme monitoring, participant mobilization, field research, reporting, and disability-inclusive programming.

The experience can provide a strong foundation for individuals interested in careers in development programmes, social enterprise, entrepreneurship support, community development, inclusive economic development, and non-governmental organizations.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

TechnoServe encourages applications from persons with disabilities and candidates who are passionate about advancing disability inclusion.

Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration.

The successful interns will be expected to contribute to a programme environment where all participants are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds.

Application

Go to TechnoServe Kenya on recruiting.ultipro.com to app