This vacancy announcement presents an internship opportunity hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, offered through the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi. The internship is linked to the work of the Dutch Embassy responsible for Sudan, whose operations are currently conducted from Nairobi, Kenya, due to ongoing security and conflict-related conditions in Sudan. This internship is structured as a research-focused placement with additional exposure to diplomatic, analytical, and operational functions carried out by an embassy team working on complex political, social, and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa.
The internship period is scheduled to run from April 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026, with a working schedule of 36 hours per week. It is designed to provide structured exposure to embassy operations, research and analysis related to Sudan, and engagement with diaspora communities in the region. The opportunity is suitable for individuals with a demonstrated interest in international affairs, regional studies, and policy-relevant research, particularly in contexts affected by conflict and political transition.
This vacancy announcement is prepared for publication on a third-party job board and is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the internship role, responsibilities, work environment, and practical arrangements. All information presented below reflects the scope and content of the role as advertised, without the inclusion of additional requirements or qualifications not explicitly stated in the role description.
Overview of the Hosting Institution
The internship is offered under the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. The Ministry operates as the central institution responsible for shaping, coordinating, and implementing Dutch foreign policy. Its mandate covers diplomacy, international cooperation, development assistance, security policy, and the protection of Dutch interests and citizens abroad.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains a global network consisting of embassies, consulates-general, and permanent representations to international organizations. Through this network, it engages with governments, multilateral institutions, civil society, and the private sector. The Ministry’s work spans a wide range of thematic areas, including peace and security, economic diplomacy, humanitarian assistance, development cooperation, and international legal order.
The Dutch Embassy responsible for Sudan is currently operating from Nairobi due to the ongoing conflict and instability within Sudan. This operational arrangement reflects the adaptive nature of diplomatic missions working in volatile contexts and offers a unique environment for learning and professional exposure. The embassy team in Nairobi functions as a regional hub, maintaining engagement with Sudanese stakeholders, international partners, and diaspora communities across several countries in East and Northeast Africa.
Internship Location and Work Setting
The internship will be physically based at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. While the internship is associated with the Sudan desk, the work environment is located within the embassy compound in Nairobi. The intern will work alongside a small, dedicated, and multicultural team comprising Sudanese, Kenyan, and Dutch colleagues. This composition contributes to an internationally oriented and socially engaged working environment.
The work setting is characterized by close collaboration, direct exposure to policy-relevant discussions, and engagement with regional developments affecting Sudan and the broader Horn of Africa. Given the nature of the assignment and the context in which the embassy operates, the environment requires a high degree of professionalism, discretion, and adaptability.
The intern is responsible for arranging temporary accommodation in Nairobi for the duration of the internship. While the embassy may provide support and guidance within its capabilities, accommodation arrangements remain the responsibility of the intern.
Internship Duration and Structure
The internship is scheduled to commence on April 1, 2026, and conclude on September 30, 2026. The standard working schedule is 36 hours per week. The internship is categorized as a research internship and includes both research and teaching-related assignments that overlap significantly in content and objectives.
The structure of the internship is designed to balance independent research tasks with collaborative work within the embassy team. The intern will be expected to manage assigned responsibilities within agreed timelines and to engage actively with colleagues and external contacts as required by the assignment.
Detailed Job Description: Internship at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi (Sudan)
Primary Purpose of the Internship
The primary purpose of the internship is to support the work of the Dutch Embassy’s Sudan desk through research, analysis, and contextual understanding of developments in Sudan and the wider region. The intern will contribute to the embassy’s analytical capacity by examining political, social, cultural, and security-related dynamics, with a particular emphasis on the lived realities and perspectives of Sudanese communities, including those residing in the diaspora.
The internship also aims to provide the intern with practical insight into the functioning of a diplomatic mission operating under exceptional circumstances, where security considerations, regional dynamics, and international coordination play a central role.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
The intern will be engaged in a range of research-oriented and analytical tasks that support the embassy’s work. These tasks are expected to evolve over the course of the internship and will be further refined in consultation with the intern prior to the start date. Core responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
Research and Analysis of Sudanese Developments
The intern will conduct in-depth research on political, social, economic, cultural, and security developments in Sudan. This includes analyzing ongoing conflict dynamics, governance structures, regional power relations, and the impact of these factors on civilian populations. Research outputs may take the form of background papers, briefing notes, analytical summaries, or internal reports intended to inform embassy staff and policy discussions.
Engagement with Sudanese Diaspora Communities
A significant component of the internship involves maintaining contact with Sudanese diaspora communities located in countries within the region. In addition to Kenya, this may include engagement with communities in Egypt, Chad, Ethiopia, Uganda, and South Sudan. The intern will support the collection and analysis of perspectives from these communities, contributing to a broader understanding of how diaspora networks perceive and respond to developments in Sudan.
Support for Embassy Reporting and Briefings
The intern may assist embassy staff with the preparation of internal and external reports, briefing documents, and analytical inputs. This may involve synthesizing information from multiple sources, identifying trends, and presenting findings in a clear and structured manner aligned with diplomatic reporting standards.
Teaching and Academic Assignment Component
The internship includes a teaching assignment that largely overlaps with the research assignment. This component focuses on analyzing and interpreting ethnic, regional, and cultural dynamics underlying military, political, and social processes in Sudan. The specific scope and format of this assignment will be further developed in consultation with the intern before the internship begins. The aim is to integrate academic analysis with practical policy-oriented research.
Observation of Embassy Operations
The intern will gain exposure to the day-to-day operations of an embassy working in a complex and volatile regional context. This includes observing coordination with international partners, engagement with host-country authorities, and internal decision-making processes. While the intern’s role remains primarily research-focused, this exposure contributes to a broader understanding of diplomatic practice.
Collaboration and Team Support
The intern will work closely with members of the Sudan desk and other embassy colleagues as appropriate. This includes participating in team meetings, contributing to discussions, and providing support on specific tasks or projects as assigned.
Contextual and Emotional Considerations
Sudan is described as a country with rich cultural, historical, and social complexity, currently undergoing a period of significant violence and instability. The exceptional circumstances under which the embassy operates, including its location outside Sudan, can be personally and professionally challenging. The internship therefore takes place in a context that requires emotional resilience, mental stability, and the ability to engage professionally with sensitive and distressing subject matter.
Workload and Time Commitment
The internship involves a 36-hour working week. Tasks may vary in intensity depending on developments in the region and the embassy’s operational priorities. The intern is expected to manage time effectively, meet agreed deadlines, and maintain a consistent level of engagement throughout the internship period.
Compensation and Allowances
The internship offers a monthly internship allowance of €775. In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides a limited internship and housing allowance. It is noted that this allowance may not fully cover all living and accommodation costs in Nairobi. In some cases, it may be possible for interns to apply for a supplementary grant through external channels. Information on supplementary grants is available through relevant official platforms.
General conditions and compensation applicable to internships with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are outlined in the Ministry’s official guidelines.
Work Environment and Team Composition
The Khartoum Embassy team operating from Nairobi is characterized by its small size and high level of dedication. The team includes colleagues of Sudanese, Kenyan, and Dutch backgrounds, contributing to a diverse and internationally oriented working environment. The intern will be integrated into this team structure and is expected to engage respectfully and professionally with colleagues from different cultural and professional backgrounds.
The embassy’s location in Nairobi places it within a regional hub that facilitates interaction with international organizations, diplomatic missions, and non-governmental actors working on issues related to Sudan and the Horn of Africa.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an active policy on diversity and inclusion. It is committed to fostering an inclusive organizational culture in which teams are composed of individuals with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and personal characteristics. The Ministry aims to reflect the diversity of Dutch society within its workforce and to ensure that local staff at diplomatic posts reflect the communities in which they operate. This commitment informs recruitment, team composition, and talent development practices across the organization.
Application and Selection Process
Applications for this internship are submitted through an online application system using the designated application button. The selection procedure includes the submission of a letter of application and participation in an interview. Interviews are scheduled to take place in January 2026.
Applicants are expected to submit their applications before the stated deadline of January 25, 2026. Late applications may not be considered.
The internship does not require applicants to submit applications via email. Accordingly, the application process concludes with an online submission step.
Closing Statement
This internship opportunity offers structured exposure to research, analysis, and diplomatic work related to Sudan, within the framework of a Dutch diplomatic mission operating from Nairobi. It combines academic research with practical policy engagement and provides insight into the challenges and realities of working in a volatile regional context. The internship is designed for individuals seeking a research-focused placement within an international and multidisciplinary environment, aligned with the work of a national foreign ministry.
