This is what you will do
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi is looking for an intern for the period June 1, 2026, to December 1, 2026. The period is negotiable.
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi represents the Netherlands in Kenya, Somalia, and the Seychelles on a wide range of issues, including politics, consular affairs, migration, development cooperation, trade, and investment. It is therefore a relatively large embassy, with more than 60 staff members. In addition, the embassy represents the Netherlands at the UN institutions based in Nairobi, and Nairobi offers an interesting work environment with the presence of multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, the UN, and the EU delegation. For more information, see: https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/kenia and https://www.facebook.com/DutchEmbassyKenya.
Kenya has a rapidly growing economy, a strongly emerging middle class, and serves as a hub for East Africa. The Netherlands is well represented in the agricultural sector, and the embassy also sees opportunities in several other sectors to broaden and, where possible, strengthen economic ties.
The embassy’s Economic Department operates at the intersection of trade and investment promotion and development cooperation. At a time when the embassy is seeking to strengthen its economic relationship with Kenya, this is an excellent opportunity to intern in the Economic Department.
This is what you get
- €800
- Internship
- June 1, 2026 – December 1, 2026
- 40 hours
This is what we ask
● You are in the master’s phase of a relevant university degree program;
● You have a demonstrable affinity with international economics and are interested in trade policy;
● You can collaborate with various parties with diverse interests, such as the government, the business community and NGOs;
● You have good oral and written skills in both Dutch and English;
● You can work independently, show initiative and creativity;
● You can easily adapt to a different (cultural) environment;
This is where you come to work
More about Nairobi
Living conditions in Kenya are pleasant: the climate is pleasant and the living environment excellent. Practically everything is readily available, and leisure options are numerous. Nairobi has a lot to offer. There are numerous restaurants and nightlife venues, and medical facilities are adequate. The climate is very pleasant. On weekends, you can go on a safari in one of the country’s many nature parks or go to the beach.
However, you should keep in mind that the safety situation is not comparable to that in the Netherlands. Security measures and precautions make the risks acceptable. The city can be plagued by long traffic jams during rush hour. Utilities are also not as reliable as in the Netherlands.
There’s a great atmosphere at the post, and besides hard work, there’s also plenty of laughter. There are social activities, and for those who want to, they enjoy sports together: soccer, Pilates, and boxing.
About the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The world is changing rapidly. At a time when geopolitical tensions are growing and the international environment is becoming more turbulent, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (BZ) is at the center of this changing world.
The work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is about more than just policy: we ensure that the interests of Dutch people are served worldwide, that our values are upheld, and that our freedoms are protected. In doing so, we continually seek the right balance between values, prosperity, and resilience. These are not easy decisions, but that is precisely where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs makes the difference.
As a single team, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs collaborates with other ministries, each with its own role and expertise, to guide decisions that affect us all. From The Hague and around the world, we work every day to make the Netherlands stronger and more secure.
We are the link between the Dutch government, the governments of other countries, and between the Netherlands and international organizations. The Ministry coordinates and implements the Dutch government’s foreign policy, including development aid. We build stability and security, but also opportunities: for Dutch people living, working, or traveling abroad, and we open doors for companies seeking international reach. In this way, we contribute to economic growth that also makes the Netherlands more prosperous, and we contribute to a safe, just, and sustainable world.
With 157 embassies, consulates-general, and permanent representations, we have a global presence. Together with over 3,200 colleagues in The Hague, 800 expatriate BZ staff, 360 attachés and liaisons, and more than 2,200 local staff, we form a powerful network that promotes Dutch foreign policy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pursues an active diversity policy and is committed to an inclusive organization where each team is composed of colleagues with diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and personal characteristics such as sexual orientation, culture, and age. We also promote a reflection of Dutch society at the Ministry and ensure that local colleagues at our posts reflect the local community. We achieve this by optimally utilizing and utilizing people’s talents and by striving for diversity in terms of gender, social and cultural background, and age when forming teams and hiring new talent.
Particulars
- You can only apply via the ‘apply directly’ button.
- The selection procedure includes a letter of application and an interview. The interviews will take place in March 2026.
What we offer:
An internship within the Trade and Investments team at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi offers the opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of the diplomatic world. Along with the team, which consists of five policy officers, the intern will work on economic diplomacy, promoting trade and investment relations, and developing the Kenyan private sector.
There is a well-developed economic relationship between the Netherlands and Kenya. Kenya is the Netherlands’ most important export partner in East Africa, supplying pharmaceutical products to Kenya, among other products. Conversely, the Netherlands is Kenya’s fourth-largest export country worldwide. Many flowers, vegetables, fruits, coffee, and tea find their way to the Dutch and European markets.
The embassy is proactively committed to strengthening trade relations in the following sectors: Life Sciences & Health, Agrologistics, Energy, Water, and Agriculture. This makes the economic team’s work highly diverse. For example, the team is closely involved in developing a cold chain logistics corridor in Kenya, informing Dutch companies about investment opportunities, closely monitoring the macroeconomic situation in Kenya, and working to create jobs for young people.
During your internship
, you will work on a learning assignment. The exact theme and specific content will be developed together with you. We will consider your own interests, any requirements arising from your studies, and the opportunities and possibilities offered by our embassy.
Examples of learning assignments that you could currently take up are:
• Contributing to an impact mission in the field of agrologistics and port development
• Organizing round tables in the field of agrologistics or healthcare.
• Designing an MoU in the field of tourism promotion
• Setting up a project to promote access to financing for young entrepreneurs.
Conditions and compensation
General conditions and compensation can be found on this site.
General supplementary grant: During the internship, you will receive a limited internship and housing allowance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It will not always cover the costs. In some cases, it is possible to receive a supplementary grant. For more information, see wilweg.nl.
Apply
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs invites you to apply on their website. The button below will take you directly to the application form. The Dutch government values a diverse and inclusive organization. Working in diverse teams makes us more effective, innovative, and enjoyable. Everyone is therefore welcome to apply.Apply on external site
