Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian and development organization driven by a strong belief that a better world is possible. Operating in over 40 countries, Mercy Corps is committed to helping communities overcome adversity and build resilient, thriving systems from within. Whether in response to natural disasters, conflict zones, or prolonged socio-economic hardships, Mercy Corps brings bold, impactful solutions that enable long-term transformation.
In Kenya, Mercy Corps continues to partner with communities and governments to implement programs that improve livelihoods, foster peace, promote governance, and build climate resilience. As part of its organizational commitment to effective people management, Mercy Corps is offering a full-time internship opportunity within its People and Culture Department in Nairobi. This position is designed for early-career professionals passionate about human resources, organizational development, and transformative people strategies.
This is more than just an internship. It is an immersive, hands-on experience designed to equip the successful candidate with real-world skills in human resources and organizational management. By working closely with a dynamic and experienced People and Culture team, the intern will gain invaluable exposure to HR functions within a large international NGO, while contributing meaningfully to the department’s day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives.
Position Title: People and Culture Intern
Job Category: Human Resources
Requisition Number: PEOPL006071
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Type of Engagement: Full-Time, On-Site
Date Posted: 23 July 2025
About the Department
The People and Culture (P&C) Department at Mercy Corps is responsible for fostering a supportive, equitable, and efficient workplace culture across the organization. In Kenya, the department serves both local and regionally-based teams, delivering a wide range of HR functions, including talent acquisition, training and development, employee engagement, performance management, compensation and benefits, and regulatory compliance.
The P&C team is driven by values of transparency, respect, empowerment, and inclusion. Interns joining this team are expected to embody these values while learning the operational and strategic components of HR in the humanitarian and development sector.
Position Overview
The People and Culture Intern will be based in Nairobi and will work under the guidance of the People and Culture Officer. The internship is structured to provide the intern with learning opportunities in records management, onboarding, offboarding, HR compliance, and team support. The successful candidate will help ensure accurate, accessible, and secure management of employee records, as well as participate in processes aimed at maintaining efficient P&C operations.
This role is ideal for a recent graduate in Human Resource Management or related social sciences, with strong organizational skills, a passion for people, and a desire to build a career in HR in the humanitarian and development sector.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Records Management Support
One of the core areas of responsibility will be assisting in the accurate and compliant management of HR records. The intern will:
- Organize both physical and digital staff files to ensure easy retrieval and security.
- Verify that all statutory documents and organizational policies are properly signed and present in the personnel files.
- Sort, label, and file employee records, contracts, and HR forms in line with audit standards.
- Digitally upload or scan relevant documents into the Mercy Corps Human Capital Management (HCM) system, using approved naming conventions.
- Receive and route new hire paperwork and benefits forms for appropriate processing and filing.
- Track pending documentation requiring staff signatures or further action.
- Archive outdated files in designated systems and maintain a database or spreadsheet that logs their location and status.
- Assist in digital file organization to support a smooth workflow within the People and Culture system.
- Ensure strict compliance with Mercy Corps’ data privacy policies and Kenyan HR data protection laws.
2. Onboarding and Offboarding Support
The intern will also play a key role in ensuring that the onboarding and offboarding processes are professionally coordinated:
- Assist in the preparation of comprehensive orientation schedules for newly hired staff.
- Help track and monitor the completion of onboarding activities, ensuring that new employees receive a full orientation within their first month.
- Ensure orientation packs are complete and provided to new hires on their first day.
- Support the offboarding process by assisting in documentation and coordination as staff transition out of the organization.
- Ensure adherence to Mercy Corps’ onboarding standards and help maintain a positive experience for incoming and departing employees.
3. Safeguarding Responsibilities
The intern will be expected to understand and integrate Mercy Corps’ safeguarding principles into their daily work:
- Actively learn about safeguarding policies and related risks within HR work.
- Promote and demonstrate Mercy Corps’ values, including the respect for the dignity and well-being of all participants and team members.
- Encourage open communication and help create a safe environment where concerns can be reported using organizational channels, including the Integrity Hotline.
4. Additional Duties
- Support other administrative and HR-related functions as assigned by the People and Culture Officer.
- Collaborate with department managers, program coordinators, and other internal stakeholders to ensure smooth departmental operations.
Supervision and Collaboration
- Reports to: People & Culture Officer
- Works directly with: People & Culture Team, Department Managers, Program Coordinators
Organizational Accountability
Mercy Corps staff are held to the highest ethical standards and are accountable not only to their supervisors and peers but also to program participants, community partners, and international standards of humanitarian and development work. The intern is expected to actively support Mercy Corps’ accountability frameworks and to treat all stakeholders with professionalism and respect.
Minimum Qualifications and Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Social Sciences, or a related discipline.
- Membership with the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) or certification as a Human Resource Practitioner in Kenya is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-driven.
- A good team player who is able to multi-task and is eager to learn.
- Passionate about supporting vulnerable populations, including children.
- Capable of working in a multicultural environment with diverse teams.
Success Factors
To thrive in this role, the successful intern must demonstrate:
- Strong learning agility and an openness to feedback.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively work across departments and with diverse teams.
- The ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without compromising attention to detail.
- Enthusiasm for HR systems, digital filing, and organizational procedures.
- Professional integrity, confidentiality, and discretion when handling sensitive HR information.
- A proactive attitude and the ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment.
Work Environment and Living Conditions
This internship will be based in Nairobi, Kenya. The working environment is conducive and meets high standards of professional safety and comfort. Interns will have access to healthcare services, internet connectivity, office resources, and appropriate mentoring.
Learning and Development
Mercy Corps believes in fostering a culture of continuous learning. All team members, including interns, are encouraged to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities. These may include online courses, mentorship sessions, workshops, or field visits. The intern will be provided opportunities to grow both personally and professionally through structured exposure and supportive supervision.
Team Engagement and Culture
Mercy Corps places high value on teamwork, inclusivity, and respect for diverse perspectives. By promoting collaboration across gender, age, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, the organization ensures that all employees can thrive and contribute to meaningful change.
Interns are considered vital contributors to the team and are supported to reach their full potential in a dynamic, purpose-driven environment.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. The organization embraces diversity and is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture.
Safeguarding and Ethics
Mercy Corps upholds the highest standards of integrity and ethics. The organization has zero tolerance for child abuse, sexual exploitation, harassment, and any form of misconduct. As part of this commitment, all interns are required to complete the Code of Conduct training and uphold organizational values at all times.
Applicants who witness or experience misconduct during the recruitment process are encouraged to report it through Mercy Corps’ Integrity Hotline at: [email protected]
How to Apply
Interested candidates who meet the requirements are encouraged to submit their applications through the official Mercy Corps career portal.
