Communications and Desk Research Intern at Practical Action

Communications and Desk Research Intern

ABOUT US

We are an international development organization putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world. We help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems—challenges made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. We work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting, locally owned solutions for agriculture, water and waste management, climate resilience, and clean energy. And we share what works with others, so answers that start small can grow big.

We’re a global change-making group. The group comprises a UK-registered charity with community projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, an independent development publishing company and a technical consulting service. We combine these specialisms to multiply our impact and help shape a world that works better for everyone.

AIMS

We work alongside people to ensure they can make a living and live well in the face of climate change, their changing environment, and persistent gender inequality. Our aims are to:

• Make agriculture work better for smallholder farmers, many of them women, so they can adapt to climate change and achieve a good standard of living.
• Help more people harness the transformational effects of clean, affordable energy and reduce avoidable deaths caused by smoke from indoor stoves and fires.
• Make cities in poorer countries cleaner, healthier places to live and work.
• Build disaster resilience into the lives of people threatened by climate hazards – reducing the risk of hazards and minimizing their impact on lives and livelihoods.

FRAMEWORK

We work to change systems. To achieve this, we have a framework:

• Analyze the root causes of poverty and vulnerability.
• Define the change at a scale we need to make.
• Demonstrate that our solutions are sustainable in the real world.
• Learn by capturing evidence and adapting our approach.
• Inspire wider support to multiply our impact.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Practical Action is a global NGO that uses technology to challenge poverty in developing countries. With a focus on sustainable development, Practical Action works with communities to find practical solutions to improve their lives. The Africa Regional Office plays a key role in supporting and coordinating Practical Action's programmes and initiatives across the African continent.

Practical Action Africa Regional Office is seeking a motivated and dynamic Communications and Desk Research Intern to support our communications and research activities. The intern will work closely with the communications and programme teams to assist in crafting engaging content, conducting desk research, and contributing to various communications initiatives.

Key Working Relationships

Title: Communications and Desk Research Intern

Reporting to: Africa Partnerships and Special Initiatives Lead

Direct reports: None

Relationship

• Internal – Rwanda: Delivery and support teams, business development team, and technical advisors
• Internal – International: Global and Africa communications, marketing, and branding staff
• External: All Practical Action’s partners and stakeholders

Location: Kigali, Rwanda

Duration: Six (6) months

Travel: In all Practical Action Rwanda work areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the overall management of Practical Action’s Africa Directorate social media Pages and all communications resources and tools.
• Draft and edit content for internal and external communications materials (in both English and French), including but not limited to memos, emails, reports, and social media posts.
• Conduct desk research, draft reports and create engaging presentations on relevant topics related and relevant to Practical Action's work in Africa and the sector at large.
• Support the coordination of external engagement, and facilitation of events, workshops, and campaigns.
• Collaborate with team members globally to carry out various tasks and support the work of the Africa Directorate.
• Other tasks as assigned.

 Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Currently enrolled in or recent graduate of a bachelor's or master’s programme in sociology, communications, journalism, international development, or a related field.
• Proficiency in writing and editing for communications with acute attention to detail and nuance.
• Skilled in conducting thorough desk research using various online databases and sources.
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content management systems.
• Excellent verbal communication and presentation abilities.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Capable of working both independently and as part of a team.
• Dedication to international sustainable development and Practical Action's mission.
• Proficient in English and French, both orally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills for effective communication with international teams.
• Knowledge of gender transformation, inclusion, and diversity.
• Knowledge of the climate and socio-economic context in the Africa Region.

Desired Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

• Previous experience working with an international organization in a related or relevant capacity.
• Skilled in professional photography and videography using professional grade equipment.
• Skilled in graphic design, including use of software such as Adobe Premier Pro
• Experienced in creative content development for social media.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in communications and expand working knowledge of international development. The successful candidate will have the chance to contribute to meaningful programmes and initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of people and in communities across Africa.

How to Apply:

All interested candidates to apply to this position should submit a resume, motivation letter, and writing samples to recruitment.rwanda@practicalaction.org and cc: loveness.mashingaidze@practicalaction.org.zw

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

The deadline for the application is April 30^th, 2024.

Practical Action is an equal opportunities employer, and we encourage applications from under-represented groups. We stay committed to cultivating an inclusive and diverse working environment and believe that people from different backgrounds or cultures give us different perspectives, and the more perspectives we have, the more successful we will be. By building a culture where everyone feels heard, respected, and valued we give everyone working with us the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Practical Action is committed to safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults and as such candidates will be subject to pre-employment checks. 

The successful applicant must have the pre-existing right to live and work in Rwanda.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.