Graduate Intern-People & Culture at Mercy Corps in Nairobi, Kenya

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    Graduate Intern-People & Culture

    Mercy CorpsNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    1 week ago

    Apply by

    25 Aug

    Full Time
    On Site
    Internship
    Charity, NGO & Non-Profit
    Human Resources & Recruitment

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    Job Description

    The People and Culture (P&C) department is responsible for providing effective HR policies, procedures, and people-friendly guidelines and support within Mercy Corps Kenya, regional and global teams based in Kenya. This includes leading support on talent acquisition & development, employee engagement coordination, country-wide training & learning management, compensation & benefits administration, performance management oversight, disciplinary & grievance handling, staff data management, staff disengagement management, and third-party service provision management. The People & Culture Graduate Intern will support the team in delivering high-quality HR services across the employee lifecycle, gaining practical experience in recruitment, onboarding, employee records management, staff engagement, HR analytics, and compliance while contributing to Mercy Corps Kenya's mission and organizational culture.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Support recruitment activities including job postings, application screening, interview scheduling, and candidate communication.
    • Assist in organizing interviews and assessment processes.
    • Support onboarding and orientation programs for new staff.
    • Ensure new employee documentation is complete and properly filed.
    • Maintain accurate employee records in HR systems and personnel files.
    • Support document drafts, staff database updates, and documentation management.
    • Assist in tracking probation reviews, contract renewals, and employee lifecycle changes.
    • Ensure compliance with Mercy Corps policies and Kenyan labor laws.
    • Assist in organizing staff engagement and wellness activities.
    • Support internal communication initiatives that promote Mercy Corps values and culture.
    • Support employee recognition and team-building activities.
    • Assist in collecting, analyzing, and maintaining HR data.
    • Prepare routine HR reports, dashboards, and presentations.
    • Support people analytics projects.
    • Assist in reviewing and ensuring data accuracy and confidentiality at all times.
    • Uphold Mercy Corps' Code of Conduct and safeguarding standards.
    • Maintain confidentiality of employee information.
    • Support compliance with organizational policies and donor requirements.
    • Promote a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace environment.

    Required Qualifications

    • Bachelor's degree in human resource management, Business Administration, Psychology, Organizational Development, Industrial Relations, or a related field.
    • Graduated within twelve (12) months or awaiting graduation, completed coursework.
    • Membership or progress toward professional HR certification CHRP-K, IHRM or equivalent is an added advantage.
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, i.e. Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
    • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
    • Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism.
    • Demonstrate a strong learning orientation and growth mindset.
    • Possess strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
    • Be comfortable working in a diverse, multicultural environment.
    • The successful People and Culture graduate Intern will be a quick learner who is enthusiastic to be part of a fast-paced and dynamic team.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Human Resources & Recruitment

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Business

    Field of Study

    Human Resource Management

    Languages

    English

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the Mercy Corps recruitment portal at recruiting2.ultipro.com.

    Show HR Fundamentals and a Learning Mindset

    This internship is your entry into humanitarian HR. Hiring managers will look for a solid grasp of HR basics, a genuine interest in people, and the ability to handle sensitive data with care. Bring energy and a willingness to learn the ropes of a fast-paced NGO environment.

    1. Tailor your CV to HR keywords: Highlight any coursework, projects, or volunteer work related to recruitment, onboarding, employee records, or HR policies. Use terms like 'talent acquisition', 'employee engagement', and 'HRIS' to mirror the job description.

    2. Prepare for behavioral questions: Expect questions about handling confidential information, working in diverse teams, and managing multiple tasks. Use the STAR method to structure your answers with concrete examples from your academic or volunteer experience.

    3. Show your tech skills: Be ready to demonstrate proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Mention any experience with HR software or data management tools, even if from coursework.

    4. Understand the NGO context: Research Mercy Corps' mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to a culture of respect, inclusion, and safeguarding.

    5. Emphasize your learning agility: Since this is an internship, highlight your eagerness to learn and adapt. Give examples of times you quickly picked up new skills or processes.

    6. Ask thoughtful questions: In the interview, ask about the team's current priorities, the mentorship structure, and opportunities for growth. This shows genuine interest and initiative.

    7. Highlight your organizational skills: Provide examples of how you've managed records, schedules, or events in the past. Attention to detail is critical in HR, so show you have it.

    8. Follow up professionally: Send a thank-you email after the interview, reiterating your interest and summarizing why you're a good fit. Keep it concise and error-free.

    CareerSasa Safety Alert: Never pay employers or agencies for interviews, training, or job placement. Does a job request payment? Report it immediately using the "Flag" button. While CareerSasa vets job postings thoroughly, always verify opportunities independently.
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    Tags

    HR
    recruitment
    onboarding
    employee engagement
    HR analytics