How to Apply: Visit the application link provided on this page to submit your application for the New Business Development Intern role at Save the Children.
Prove You Can Turn Funding Intel Into Winning Proposals
This internship sits at the heart of Save the Children's regional resource mobilisation, so the hiring team will screen for evidence that you can track donor opportunities, manage proposal logistics, and keep a matrix team on schedule. They are not just looking for a degree — they want to see that you understand how NGO funding pipelines work and that you can handle detail under pressure.
1. Map Your Donor Research Experience: On your CV, replace vague phrases like 'conducted research' with specifics: which funding platforms you monitored, what donor types you tracked (institutional, corporate, trusts), and how you shared intel with a team. If you have ever built a simple opportunity tracker in Excel or Google Sheets, describe the columns you used and how it helped decision-making. This directly mirrors the first responsibility of the role.
2. Show Proposal Coordination Muscle: The intern supports multi-country proposal development, so prepare a story about a time you coordinated a group task with a deadline. Use the STAR method: what the proposal or project was, how you set up kick-off meetings, how you followed up on action points, and what the outcome was. Even a university group assignment can work if you frame it around coordination and timely delivery.
3. Demonstrate SharePoint and Knowledge Management Skills: The role explicitly mentions maintaining files on SharePoint and other SCI platforms. If you have used SharePoint, Teams, or any document management system, say so and explain how you organised folders for easy access. If not, take a free tutorial and mention that you are quick to learn new platforms — then give an example of a time you mastered a new tool quickly.
4. Prepare for Behavioural Questions on Accountability: Save the Children's requirements list accountability, ambition, and collaboration. Expect questions like 'Tell me about a time you took ownership of a task that was falling behind' or 'How do you handle competing priorities from different team members?' Have two or three concrete examples ready that show you manage your own work efficiently and flag issues early.
5. Understand the Regional Context: The RMCP covers 12 countries in East and Southern Africa. Before the interview, skim recent news about humanitarian and development funding trends in the region — for example, shifts in donor priorities or major crises. Being able to mention one or two trends shows you are future-oriented and globally minded, which the posting values.
6. Sharpen Your Writing and Proofreading: You will assist with concept notes, technical briefs, and non-technical proposal sections. Bring a sample of a well-structured report or brief you have written, even from coursework. In the interview, emphasise your attention to detail and your ability to proofread for clarity and consistency. If asked, be ready to describe your process for checking a document before it goes out.
7. Highlight Cross-Cultural Teamwork: The role works with a geographically dispersed, cross-disciplinary team. Prepare an example of collaborating with people from different backgrounds or time zones. Mention any experience you have with virtual collaboration tools and how you keep communication clear when working remotely with colleagues.
8. Ask Smart Questions About the Pipeline: At the end of the interview, ask about the current regional pipeline or the types of donors the RMCP is prioritising. This shows genuine interest in the work and helps you understand what success looks like in the first 90 days. Avoid questions about salary or benefits at this stage — focus on the learning opportunity and how you can contribute to the team's funding goals.