The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) continues to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to supporting displaced populations and vulnerable communities across the globe. Operating in more than 35 countries since its establishment in 1956, DRC has remained one of the most active and credible humanitarian organizations, recognized for its expertise in protection, advocacy, and durable solutions. In Kenya, DRC plays a key role in responding to both acute crises and protracted displacement situations through targeted programmes in protection monitoring, child protection, gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, economic recovery, and humanitarian disarmament and peacebuilding (HDP).
As part of its continued expansion and commitment to strengthening peacebuilding and community resilience in Kenya, particularly in the Karamoja region, DRC is currently seeking a motivated and talented individual for the position of Communications Intern. This role will be based in Lodwar and presents an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about communications, development, peacebuilding, and humanitarian affairs to contribute meaningfully to an impactful initiative while gaining invaluable professional experience.
Position: Communications Intern
Duty Station: Lodwar, Kenya
Contract Type: National Internship
Contract Duration: One Year (with possible extension subject to funding and performance)
Expected Start Date: August 2025
Application Deadline: 23rd July 2025
Application Mode: Online via www.drc.ngo under ‘Vacancies’
Reference Number: 174075
About the Role
The Communications Intern will support the communication aspects of DRC’s peacebuilding projects designed to promote peace, social cohesion, and conflict resolution in the Karamoja region. This internship is designed to expose the intern to dynamic community-level programming, creative content development, and multi-stakeholder engagement in a humanitarian setting. The selected intern will contribute to enhancing the visibility of DRC’s initiatives and communicating impact stories to various audiences.
Working closely with project teams and partners, the intern will assist in crafting coherent messaging, documenting project outcomes, and maintaining the visibility of project achievements. This role is particularly suited for candidates with a background in communications, advocacy, peace and conflict studies, or international development and a strong interest in community-based engagement.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The intern will provide support across five key functional areas:
1. Support Internal and External Communication
- Assist in the drafting, editing, and dissemination of internal communication materials, including newsletters, briefings, and project updates.
- Contribute to the preparation of external communication materials, such as press releases, blogs, and social media content to inform and engage wider audiences.
- Help maintain and update project-related information on DRC communication platforms in collaboration with the broader communications team.
2. Enhance Project Visibility
- Assist in capturing high-quality photographs and success stories from the field to visually represent project milestones and community impact.
- Support the development and maintenance of a photo and media archive for project documentation.
- Assist with ensuring that all communication activities and materials are aligned with DRC branding and visibility guidelines.
3. Develop Communication Materials
- Draft human-interest stories, testimonies, and articles that highlight the experiences of beneficiaries, field staff, and partners.
- Assist in the design and layout of communication products, including posters, flyers, brochures, factsheets, and social media graphics.
- Collaborate with program teams to collect qualitative and quantitative data for communication purposes.
4. Strengthen Stakeholder Engagement
- Support the organization of visibility and awareness events such as workshops, campaigns, exhibitions, and peace dialogues.
- Assist in preparing materials for donor visits, stakeholder meetings, and community forums.
- Engage with local authorities, partner organizations, and community representatives to gather feedback on communication efforts and share project achievements.
5. Monitor and Evaluate Communication Efforts
- Contribute to the tracking and evaluation of communication activities and their impact on project visibility and stakeholder engagement.
- Assist in generating reports on the reach and effectiveness of various communication tools and platforms.
- Propose improvements or new approaches to better amplify project outcomes.
6. Build the Intern’s Professional Skills
- Receive on-the-job training and mentorship in humanitarian communication practices, peacebuilding programming, and multi-stakeholder coordination.
- Gain exposure to tools used in conflict-sensitive communication, advocacy campaigns, and social media engagement.
- Engage in cross-departmental collaboration to broaden professional competencies and field-based operational understanding.
Required Experience and Technical Competencies
- A background in communications, media, public relations, or advocacy with a strong interest in storytelling and photography.
- Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills with a flair for creative and clear messaging.
- Familiarity with peacebuilding concepts, community-level conflict resolution, and sensitivity to conflict dynamics.
- Prior academic or hands-on experience in program support, advocacy work, or community engagement is a distinct advantage.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a culturally diverse and multidisciplinary team.
- Solid time management and organizational skills with a proactive attitude toward work.
Education Requirements
- Minimum of a Diploma in Communications, Peace and Conflict Studies, Development Studies, International Relations, or a related field.
- Undergraduate degrees or professional certifications in relevant areas will be considered an added advantage.
Language Requirements
- Proficiency in both spoken and written English and Swahili.
- Ability to communicate effectively in a clear and respectful manner with different stakeholders.
- Capability to write and edit compelling content in a language accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Key Stakeholders
In this role, the Communications Intern will interact with a range of internal and external stakeholders, including:
- DRC colleagues and project staff
- County and National Government officials
- Local community leaders and elders
- Partners across Kenya and Uganda
- Community-based groups and volunteers
- Visitors, donors, and clients
About You – Core Competencies
DRC expects all its employees, including interns, to embody and uphold the organization’s five core competencies:
- Striving for Excellence: Committed to achieving results through efficient processes and continuous improvement.
- Collaborating: Open to involving others, actively seeks feedback, and values teamwork and partnership.
- Taking the Lead: Proactive, assumes responsibility, and contributes innovative ideas to project activities.
- Communicating: Listens actively, speaks honestly, and communicates clearly across cultural and organizational contexts.
- Demonstrating Integrity: Adheres to the organization’s values, upholds professional ethics, and supports a respectful and inclusive environment.
Terms and Conditions
- Contract: This is a one-year internship with the possibility of extension, depending on funding availability and individual performance.
- Compensation: The intern will be remunerated according to DRC’s Terms of Employment for national contracts. Further details on compensation and benefits will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
- Duty Station: DRC Lodwar Office, Turkana County
- Availability: The successful candidate is expected to begin the internship in August 2025.
Application Instructions
All interested candidates must apply through the online application form available at the DRC website: www.drc.ngo under the “Vacancies” section. Only applications that include both a motivated cover letter addressing the key responsibilities and a detailed CV will be considered. Do not attach recommendation letters or other documents unless specifically requested. All application documents must be submitted in English.
Application Deadline: 23rd July 2025
If you experience any technical difficulties while submitting your application or have questions about the process, please visit www.drc.ngo/jobsupport for guidance.
Equal Opportunity and Safeguarding Commitment
DRC is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applications from female candidates and individuals from minority or underrepresented backgrounds. The organization is deeply committed to ensuring a workplace that is diverse, inclusive, and respectful to all.
DRC adheres to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in all its operations. Recruitment processes are conducted transparently and include background checks to uphold the principles of dignity, safety, and accountability. All staff members are expected to champion DRC’s Code of Conduct, with particular emphasis on safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
To learn more about DRC’s global mission, areas of intervention, and values, please visit our website at www.drc.ngo.
