Graduate Interns - Enterprise Development –RANGE Program (3) at Mercy Corps in Nairobi, Kenya

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    Graduate Interns - Enterprise Development –RANGE Program (3)

    Mercy CorpsNairobi, Kenya

    Posted

    1 week ago

    Apply by

    26 Aug

    Full Time
    On Site
    Internship
    Charity, NGO & Non-Profit
    Volunteer & NGO Work

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    Job Description

    The Graduate Intern - Enterprise Development will support the County Coordinator in identifying, engaging, and coordinating private sector partners and entrepreneurs to advance the RANGE Program's Market Systems Development (MSD) objectives. The intern will contribute to business and partnership analysis, monitor partnership implementation and performance, strengthen collaboration among market actors and county stakeholders, and support documentation, learning, and knowledge management. This role provides practical experience in private sector engagement, partnership management, strengthening market systems, and data-driven decision-making while contributing to sustainable livelihood and resilience outcomes in the target counties.

    Key Responsibilities

    • Support private sector engagement and partnership development by identifying, profiling, and engaging potential private sector partners, entrepreneurs, and market actors through market scans, stakeholder mapping, and business outreach aligned with the RANGE Program objectives.
    • Conduct business and partnership analysis by reviewing business opportunities, undertaking basic financial and market analysis, assessing partnership proposals, and providing evidence-based insights to support partnership selection and investment decisions.
    • Support partnership implementation and performance monitoring by tracking work plans, milestones, budgets, and deliverables; collecting and analyzing performance data; and preparing progress reports and recommendations to support adaptive management.
    • Strengthen coordination and market linkages by facilitating collaboration among private sector partners, county governments, Local Implementing Partners (LIPs), community institutions, and other stakeholders to enhance market systems, leverage resources, and maximize program impact.
    • Promote innovation, learning, and knowledge management by identifying emerging business opportunities and innovative solutions, documenting lessons learned and success stories and supporting learning events and knowledge products that enhance program visibility and sustainability.
    • Commit 5% of time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.
    • Support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of field projects.
    • Conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.
    • Actively learn about safeguarding and integrate it into their work, including safeguarding risks and mitigations related to their area of work.
    • Practice the values of Mercy Corps including respecting the dignity and well-being of participants and fellow team members.
    • Encourage openness and communication in their team; encourage team members to submit reports if they have any concerns using reporting mechanisms e.g., Integrity Hotline and other options.

    Required Qualifications

    • Bachelor's degree in business administration, Entrepreneurship, Economics, Agribusiness, Commerce, Finance, Marketing, Development Studies or another related field.
    • Graduated within twelve (12) months or awaiting graduation, completed course work.
    • Demonstrated interest in private sector development, market systems development (MSD) approach, enterprise development, entrepreneurship, or economic empowerment.
    • Strong entrepreneurial mindset with knowledge of business management and enterprise development.
    • Good business, market, and financial analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data and provide practical recommendations.
    • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
    • Proficiency in English and Swahili; knowledge of local languages in any of the 3 counties is an added advantage.
    • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and effectively within a diverse team environment.
    • Interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships.
    • Demonstrate a strong learning orientation and growth mindset.

    Job Details

    Job Function

    Volunteer & NGO Work

    Education Level

    Bachelor’s Degree

    Area of Study

    Business

    Field of Study

    Business Administration

    Languages

    English, Swahili

    Additional Information

    How to Apply: Visit the application link provided on this page to submit your application.

    Show MSD Insight and County Context in Your Application

    This internship sits at the intersection of private sector growth and community resilience. Hiring managers will look for graduates who can think beyond theory and show how they would map market actors or spot a viable business opportunity in Samburu, Isiolo, or Marsabit.

    1. Tailor your CV to MSD and enterprise development: Highlight any coursework, projects, or volunteer work that involved market analysis, business planning, or working with small enterprises. Use specific examples, like a business plan you drafted or a market survey you helped conduct.

    2. Show you know the counties: Research the economic activities and market systems in Samburu, Isiolo, and Marsabit. Mention any familiarity with local value chains, such as livestock or agribusiness, and how you might engage local entrepreneurs.

    3. Demonstrate analytical skills: Be ready to talk about how you've used Excel or other tools to analyze data. Prepare a brief example of a financial or market analysis you've done, even if it was for a class project.

    4. Highlight your entrepreneurial mindset: Share any side projects, startups, or business ideas you've explored. Show that you understand the challenges and opportunities of running a business in a developing context.

    5. Emphasize communication and stakeholder skills: This role involves working with diverse groups—private partners, government officials, and community members. Provide examples of how you've built relationships or facilitated discussions in the past.

    6. Prepare for behavioral questions: Expect questions about working independently, handling ambiguity, and learning quickly. Use the STAR method to structure your answers, focusing on situations where you took initiative or adapted.

    7. Show commitment to learning: Mercy Corps values continuous learning. Mention any courses, certifications, or workshops you've pursued beyond your degree, and express eagerness to learn from the team and the field.

    8. Proofread and personalize your cover letter: Address the specific program and counties. Avoid generic statements; instead, connect your skills and interests to the RANGE Program's goals of sustainable livelihoods and resilience.

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    Tags

    private sector engagement
    market systems development
    partnership management
    business analysis
    entrepreneurship