The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is offering an internship opportunity at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi for the period running from 1 June 2026 to 1 December 2026. This internship placement will be based within the embassy’s Economic Department and will provide selected candidates with practical exposure to international diplomacy, economic policy, and trade relations between the Netherlands and Kenya.
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi represents the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kenya, Somalia, and the Seychelles, and works across a broad portfolio that includes diplomacy, consular services, migration, development cooperation, trade promotion, and investment facilitation. The embassy is one of the larger diplomatic missions in the region, employing more than sixty staff members drawn from both the Netherlands and Kenya.
Nairobi is also a key diplomatic hub in Africa and hosts major international organizations including the United Nations headquarters in Africa, the World Bank regional offices, and several international development institutions. This environment makes the city a strategic center for international cooperation, diplomacy, and economic development initiatives.
The internship is designed for graduate-level students interested in international economics, trade policy, and economic diplomacy. Interns joining the Economic Department will support the embassy’s work in strengthening bilateral economic relations between the Netherlands and Kenya, while gaining insight into diplomatic operations and international policy engagement.
The selected intern will work alongside a team of policy officers responsible for economic diplomacy, trade promotion, and development cooperation programs aimed at strengthening private sector partnerships and economic development.
Position Overview
Position Title: Economic Department Intern – Trade and Investment
Organization: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Duty Station: Dutch Embassy, Nairobi, Kenya
Internship Duration: 1 June 2026 – 1 December 2026 (period negotiable)
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
Internship Allowance: €800 per month
Application Deadline: 14 March 2026
The internship provides an opportunity for master’s-level students to gain hands-on experience in economic diplomacy, trade promotion, and investment facilitation activities undertaken by the Dutch Embassy.
The intern will support the Economic Department in strengthening trade and investment relationships between the Netherlands and Kenya. The department operates at the intersection of international trade policy, economic diplomacy, and development cooperation, focusing on initiatives that enhance private sector growth and sustainable economic partnerships.
Detailed Job Description
Economic Department Intern – Trade and Investment
The Economic Department of the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi plays a strategic role in promoting economic relations between the Netherlands and Kenya. The department focuses on strengthening bilateral trade, encouraging investment opportunities, supporting private sector development, and facilitating collaboration between Dutch companies and Kenyan institutions.
The intern will work closely with the economic policy officers and the trade and investment team. The role will involve research, policy support, event coordination, stakeholder engagement, and support to various initiatives aimed at expanding economic cooperation between the Netherlands and Kenya.
Key Responsibilities
The Economic Department Intern will undertake a wide range of assignments designed to support the work of the embassy while providing the intern with meaningful learning opportunities in international diplomacy and economic policy.
The responsibilities of the intern may include the following:
Supporting economic diplomacy initiatives
The intern will assist the Economic Department in advancing diplomatic and economic initiatives that strengthen economic relations between the Netherlands and Kenya. This includes contributing to research, preparing briefing materials, and assisting policy officers in monitoring developments relevant to trade, investment, and economic policy.
Conducting economic research and policy analysis
The intern will conduct background research and analysis on economic developments in Kenya and the broader East African region. This may include monitoring macroeconomic indicators, reviewing trade policy developments, and analyzing sector trends relevant to Dutch business interests.
Supporting trade and investment promotion activities
The intern will assist the embassy’s efforts to promote trade and investment relations between Dutch and Kenyan organizations. This may involve supporting outreach activities, preparing business intelligence reports, identifying investment opportunities, and facilitating engagement between Dutch companies and local partners.
Assisting with the organization of events and roundtables
The intern will contribute to the organization and coordination of sector-focused roundtables, stakeholder dialogues, and industry engagements in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, and energy. Responsibilities may include coordinating logistics, preparing documentation, and supporting post-event reporting.
Monitoring sector developments relevant to Dutch economic engagement
The intern will assist in monitoring developments in priority sectors where the Netherlands has strong engagement in Kenya. These sectors include agriculture, agrologistics, water management, energy, and life sciences and health.
Contributing to embassy economic reports and briefing materials
The intern will support the preparation of internal and external reports on economic developments in Kenya. These reports may be used to inform policy discussions, diplomatic engagement, and communication with stakeholders in the Netherlands.
Supporting economic missions and delegations
The intern may assist in organizing and supporting trade missions, economic delegations, and investment promotion visits involving Dutch companies and institutions seeking to explore opportunities in Kenya and East Africa.
Assisting with development cooperation initiatives
The Economic Department also works on development cooperation initiatives aimed at strengthening the Kenyan private sector. The intern may assist with project coordination, documentation, and stakeholder engagement related to these programs.
Supporting knowledge development and learning assignments
As part of the internship experience, the intern will undertake a structured learning assignment developed jointly with the embassy team. The assignment will align with the intern’s academic interests and the embassy’s priorities.
Internship Learning Assignments
During the internship period, the intern will be expected to complete a structured learning project. The specific topic of the learning assignment will be determined collaboratively between the intern and the Economic Department based on the intern’s academic background, research interests, and the embassy’s program priorities.
Examples of potential learning assignments include:
Supporting the development of an impact mission in agrologistics and port development
The intern may contribute to research and preparation activities supporting a Dutch trade mission focused on improving logistics and agricultural supply chains between Kenya and Europe.
Organizing roundtable discussions in priority sectors
The intern may assist in organizing stakeholder dialogues and policy roundtables related to sectors such as healthcare, agrologistics, and sustainable agriculture.
Developing a memorandum of understanding for tourism promotion
The intern may support the drafting of a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation between Dutch and Kenyan partners.
Designing initiatives to improve financing for young entrepreneurs
The intern may assist in developing projects aimed at increasing access to finance for young entrepreneurs and start-ups within the Kenyan private sector.
These assignments provide an opportunity for the intern to apply academic knowledge to real-world policy challenges while contributing to the embassy’s strategic objectives.
Economic Relations Between the Netherlands and Kenya
The Netherlands maintains strong economic ties with Kenya and plays a significant role in several sectors of the Kenyan economy. Kenya is the Netherlands’ most important export partner in East Africa, and the two countries maintain strong trade relations across multiple sectors.
Kenyan exports to the Netherlands include flowers, vegetables, fruits, coffee, and tea. These products are distributed through Dutch logistics networks to markets across Europe.
Conversely, the Netherlands exports pharmaceutical products, agricultural technologies, and industrial solutions to Kenya. Dutch companies are also involved in infrastructure development, water management, and renewable energy initiatives in the region.
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi actively supports these partnerships through trade facilitation, investment promotion, and economic diplomacy initiatives.
Priority sectors for economic cooperation include:
Agriculture and agrologistics
Life sciences and healthcare
Water management and climate resilience
Renewable energy and sustainable development
Trade logistics and infrastructure development
The internship within the Economic Department provides an opportunity to engage with these sectors while supporting initiatives that contribute to economic growth and development in Kenya.
Working Environment at the Dutch Embassy
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi provides a dynamic and collaborative working environment that brings together diplomatic staff, development specialists, and economic policy experts.
The embassy has more than sixty staff members working across several departments including political affairs, consular services, migration, development cooperation, and economic diplomacy.
In addition to representing the Netherlands in Kenya, the embassy also serves as the diplomatic mission for Somalia and the Seychelles. It also represents the Netherlands in multilateral institutions located in Nairobi, including United Nations agencies.
The embassy regularly collaborates with international organizations, government institutions, private sector actors, and civil society organizations to advance its policy objectives and support development initiatives.
Interns working at the embassy will gain valuable insight into diplomatic operations, international cooperation, and the role of embassies in advancing national interests abroad.
Living in Nairobi
Nairobi offers a vibrant and dynamic environment for international professionals and students. The city is widely regarded as the economic and diplomatic hub of East Africa and hosts numerous international organizations and multinational companies.
Living conditions in Nairobi are generally comfortable, with access to modern infrastructure, healthcare facilities, and a wide range of leisure and cultural activities. The city offers diverse dining options, entertainment venues, and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Kenya is also renowned for its natural attractions, including national parks, wildlife reserves, and coastal destinations that are easily accessible from Nairobi.
However, it is important to note that security conditions in Nairobi differ from those in the Netherlands. Appropriate precautions and security measures are necessary, and embassy staff are provided with guidance on maintaining personal safety.
Internship Allowance and Conditions
Interns selected for the program will receive a monthly internship allowance of €800. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also provides a limited housing allowance during the internship period.
The internship allowance may not fully cover living expenses in Nairobi. In certain cases, interns may be eligible for additional financial support through supplementary grants.
Further information regarding financial support options is available through relevant student grant platforms.
About the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands plays a central role in shaping and implementing the country’s foreign policy. The ministry works to promote the interests of Dutch citizens worldwide, strengthen international partnerships, and support global peace, security, and sustainable development.
The ministry maintains a global diplomatic network consisting of 157 embassies, consulates-general, and permanent missions. More than 3,200 staff members work at the ministry’s headquarters in The Hague, supported by expatriate diplomats and locally recruited personnel serving at missions worldwide.
Through diplomacy, international cooperation, and economic engagement, the ministry contributes to global stability, international trade, and sustainable development.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs promotes diversity and inclusion as core principles in its workforce. The ministry strives to create an inclusive working environment where employees from diverse backgrounds contribute their perspectives, experiences, and expertise.
The ministry seeks to ensure that teams reflect a broad range of cultural, social, and professional backgrounds and encourages applications from individuals of all identities and backgrounds.
Application Process
Candidates interested in this internship opportunity must submit their applications through the official online application platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The recruitment process will include a review of application documents followed by interviews with shortlisted candidates. Interviews are expected to take place during March 2026.
Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date to ensure consideration.
