The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi is inviting applications for an internship opportunity within its Humanitarian and Migration Department. The six-month internship is scheduled to run from 11 January 2027 to 12 July 2027 and provides an opportunity for a university student to gain practical experience in humanitarian affairs, migration, refugee programming and international cooperation while working from Nairobi, Kenya.
The successful intern will work closely with the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Horn of Africa and contribute to the Netherlands’ humanitarian activities across the region. The work covers countries including Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, providing the intern with exposure to humanitarian developments affecting several countries in the Horn of Africa.
The internship also involves collaboration with the embassy colleague responsible for refugees and sustainable solutions in Kenya. Depending on operational requirements, the intern may participate in meetings involving humanitarian partners, donors and other relevant stakeholders.
This is a work experience internship offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. It carries an internship allowance of €800, involves 36 working hours per week and will be based in Nairobi. The application deadline is 10 October 2026, while selection interviews are expected to take place in November 2026.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before submitting an application, particularly the nationality, language and university enrolment requirements.
Internship Overview
Position: Internship at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi
Department: Humanitarian and Migration Department
Organization: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Internship Period: 11 January 2027 – 12 July 2027
Duration: Approximately six months
Working Hours: 36 hours per week
Internship Allowance: €800
Internship Type: Work Experience Internship
Reference: 2933
Posting Date: 2 September 2026
Application Deadline: 10 October 2026
Selection Interviews: November 2026
1. Internship at the Humanitarian and Migration Department – Dutch Embassy Nairobi
The Dutch Embassy in Nairobi is seeking an intern who will support humanitarian and migration-related work undertaken by the Netherlands in Kenya and the wider Horn of Africa region.
The intern will primarily work with the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Horn of Africa. The position will involve following humanitarian developments, supporting engagement with partners and contributing to reporting and coordination activities.
The role has a particular focus on South Sudan and the humanitarian effects of El Niño across the Horn of Africa. It will also expose the successful applicant to refugee-related programming and sustainable solutions in Kenya.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The successful intern will undertake duties that include:
- Supporting the Dutch humanitarian effort in South Sudan by monitoring relevant developments in the country.
- Helping the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator maintain contact with Dutch humanitarian partners operating in South Sudan.
- Following humanitarian developments affecting South Sudan and contributing information that can support the Netherlands’ humanitarian engagement.
- Monitoring the humanitarian effects of El Niño across the Horn of Africa region.
- Mapping the effects of El Niño for regular reporting to diplomatic posts within the region.
- Contributing to reporting for colleagues working in relevant thematic and regional directorates at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.
- Following up on possible measures that could be undertaken by Dutch humanitarian and development partners to mitigate the humanitarian effects of El Niño.
- Taking responsibility for organizing a network meeting during the spring period.
- Helping bring together regional humanitarian partners and contacts based in Nairobi for the planned network meeting.
- Supporting the organization of the meeting around a Dutch humanitarian priority that will be determined during the internship period.
- Supporting work related to the reception of refugees in Kenya.
- Contributing to the start of new programming relating to refugees and humanitarian issues.
- Working with the colleague focusing on refugees and sustainable solutions in Kenya.
- Assisting with meetings involving partners and other donors whenever required.
- Supporting the wider work of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Horn of Africa.
The exact activities undertaken during the internship may also be determined in consultation with the selected intern. This allows some of the internship responsibilities to be shaped by the intern’s interests and academic background while remaining aligned with the needs of the Humanitarian and Migration Department.
Humanitarian Work in the Horn of Africa
A significant part of the internship will involve supporting the work of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Horn of Africa.
The coordinator’s work is diverse because it connects the Nairobi-based diplomatic mission with humanitarian activities undertaken across several countries and with policy work carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.
The Regional Humanitarian Coordinator forms part of the Humanitarian team at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague while also participating in embassy teams dealing with Kenya, Somalia and Sudan.
The coordinator additionally maintains close working relationships with Dutch embassies in Juba and Addis Ababa. This regional structure means that the internship will involve humanitarian issues extending beyond Kenya and provides exposure to humanitarian coordination across the Horn of Africa.
The focus of the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator is guided by the annual Dutch Humanitarian Policy and Budget Letter to the House of Representatives as well as the Multiannual Country Strategies of the relevant embassies in the region.
The coordinator also works closely with the colleague responsible for migration and refugees in Kenya.
The intern will therefore support work positioned at the intersection of humanitarian response, regional diplomacy, migration, refugee issues and development cooperation.
Supporting Humanitarian Activities in South Sudan
One of the central areas of responsibility will be supporting Dutch humanitarian activities relating to South Sudan.
The intern will monitor developments within South Sudan and help maintain communication with Dutch humanitarian partners working in the country.
Monitoring developments is expected to contribute to the broader understanding of the humanitarian environment and assist the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator in following issues relevant to the Netherlands’ humanitarian engagement.
Through this responsibility, the intern will gain practical exposure to how humanitarian developments in a country are followed from a regional diplomatic mission and how relationships with humanitarian organizations are maintained.
The intern will work within the structures already established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassy rather than operating independently from the diplomatic mission.
Monitoring the Humanitarian Effects of El Niño
Another major component of the internship will concern the humanitarian effects of El Niño across the Horn of Africa.
The intern will monitor these effects and map relevant developments for regular reporting.
Information gathered through this process will contribute to reporting provided to diplomatic posts in the region and to colleagues working in relevant thematic and regional directorates within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.
The intern will also follow up on possible mitigating actions by Dutch humanitarian or development partners.
This responsibility combines research, monitoring, reporting and engagement with humanitarian and development activities.
The learning assignment attached to the internship is closely connected to this area of work.
Learning Assignment
As part of the internship, the selected candidate will undertake a learning assignment supporting the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Horn of Africa.
The assignment will have a specific focus on South Sudan and the effects of El Niño across the region.
It may involve mapping relevant Dutch policy instruments available for mitigating the effects of El Niño. This mapping may cover instruments available centrally through the Ministry as well as those available at embassy level.
The assignment may also consider possible suggestions for improving the use or coordination of the relevant instruments.
Specific learning objectives will not be imposed entirely in advance. Instead, they will be further developed and agreed upon together with the selected intern.
This provides an academic and professional learning component alongside the intern’s day-to-day responsibilities within the embassy.
Refugee and Migration-Related Work in Kenya
The internship is based within the Humanitarian and Migration Department, and refugee-related activities form another component of the role.
The intern will support work concerning the reception of refugees in Kenya and contribute to the beginning of new programming.
The successful applicant will work alongside the colleague responsible for refugees and sustainable solutions in Kenya.
This provides exposure to how refugee issues are approached within the embassy and how humanitarian and migration-related priorities intersect.
The intern may also participate in meetings with relevant partners and donors when required, providing additional exposure to the coordination structures surrounding humanitarian and refugee-related programming.
Organizing a Regional Humanitarian Network Meeting
The intern will be given responsibility for organizing a network meeting during the spring.
The meeting will bring together regional humanitarian partners and contacts based in Nairobi.
It will be organized around a Dutch humanitarian priority, with the specific priority to be determined.
This responsibility provides the intern with direct involvement in coordinating an activity involving humanitarian stakeholders operating within the region.
The assignment may require organizational planning, communication with relevant contacts and coordination with embassy colleagues as preparations progress.
Working at the Dutch Embassy in Nairobi
The successful intern will become part of the embassy team in Nairobi.
The Nairobi mission covers work relating to both Kenya and Somalia and includes professionals working across several areas. These range from trade and development cooperation to consular affairs.
The embassy also hosts part of the team focusing on Sudan.
As a result, the intern will be working within a diplomatic environment involving several countries, disciplines and policy areas.
The Regional Humanitarian Coordinator’s work connects Nairobi with teams and diplomatic missions elsewhere in the region as well as with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague.
The embassy also has various social and sports initiatives in which the intern may participate.
Internship Requirements
Applicants must meet the requirements specified for the internship.
Candidates must:
- Be of Dutch nationality.
- Be able to speak and write Dutch.
- Be fluent in English, both spoken and written.
- Currently be enrolled at a university.
- Be pursuing a study programme in development cooperation, conflict studies, humanitarian aid, international law or a related field of study.
In addition to these requirements, the embassy is seeking an individual who demonstrates a range of personal and professional attributes relevant to the internship.
The preferred candidate should:
- Be willing to commit fully to the internship.
- Be goal-oriented.
- Know how to prioritize responsibilities.
- Be creative.
- Demonstrate initiative.
- Be capable of working independently.
- Be a strong team player.
- Have well-developed social skills.
- Have well-developed intercultural skills.
- Be well-organized.
- Be flexible.
- Demonstrate a strong sense of integrity.
Applicants should note that Dutch nationality is specifically listed as a requirement for this internship.
Internship Allowance and Conditions
The internship provides an allowance of €800.
The successful intern will work 36 hours per week and the placement will run from 11 January 2027 until 12 July 2027.
During the internship, the intern will receive a limited internship and accommodation allowance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Applicants should be aware that the available internship and accommodation allowances may not cover all costs associated with undertaking the internship.
In some circumstances, it may be possible for an intern to receive a supplementary grant. Further information about the supplementary grant is available through the resources identified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The internship is classified as a work experience internship.
Professional and Learning Exposure
The internship provides the selected candidate with an opportunity to learn and work in an African country while participating in the activities of a diplomatic mission.
The intern will encounter humanitarian and regional developments connected to Kenya and the wider Horn of Africa.
The Ministry indicates that the placement provides opportunities for personal development and offers coaching and support intended to help the intern achieve agreed learning goals.
The successful candidate will also work within a diverse team covering multiple areas of diplomatic and international cooperation.
The practical assignments associated with humanitarian monitoring, reporting, refugee programming and regional coordination will complement the learning assignment agreed upon with the intern.
About the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands operates internationally through embassies, consulates-general and permanent representations.
Its work includes representing Dutch interests internationally and coordinating and implementing the foreign policy of the Dutch government, including development assistance.
The Ministry serves as a link between the Dutch government, governments of other countries and international organizations.
Its international network includes 157 embassies, consulates-general and permanent representations.
The wider organization consists of more than 3,200 colleagues working in The Hague, approximately 800 posted Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff, around 360 attachés and liaison personnel, and more than 2,200 locally employed staff.
The Nairobi internship will place the successful applicant within this broader international network while focusing particularly on humanitarian affairs in the Horn of Africa.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that it pursues an active diversity policy and seeks to create an inclusive organization.
It aims to establish teams comprising colleagues with different perspectives, backgrounds and personal characteristics.
The Ministry also seeks to ensure that its workforce reflects Dutch society, while locally employed colleagues at diplomatic posts reflect their respective local societies.
Diversity considerations mentioned by the Ministry include sex, social and cultural background and age, among other characteristics.
The Ministry invites applicants to participate in its recruitment processes and states that diverse teams contribute to its effectiveness and innovation.
Selection Process
Applications will be assessed as part of a structured selection procedure.
The process includes:
- Assessment of submitted CVs.
- Assessment of applicants’ cover letters.
- Selection of candidates for interviews.
- Interviews with a maximum of four selected candidates.
Selection interviews are scheduled to take place in November 2026.
Applicants should therefore ensure that the information presented in their CV and cover letter clearly reflects their suitability for the internship based on the requirements stated in the vacancy announcement.
Important Dates
Applicants interested in the Dutch Embassy Nairobi internship should take note of the following dates:
- Vacancy posting date: 2 September 2026.
- Application deadline: 10 October 2026.
- Selection interviews: November 2026.
- Internship starting date: 11 January 2027.
- Internship ending date: 12 July 2027.
The internship will therefore run for approximately six months.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible candidates are required to submit their applications through the official application platform.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs specifically instructs applicants to apply using the designated “Apply” button associated with the vacancy. The application process will redirect candidates to the official application form.
Applicants should prepare a CV and cover letter because both documents form part of the initial selection process.
Only a maximum of four selected candidates will proceed to the interview stage.
Candidates should submit their applications before 10 October 2026 and carefully verify that they meet the nationality, language and university enrolment requirements before applying.
For questions concerning the vacancy, the announcement identifies Rineke van Dam as the contact person.
