Mercy Corps has opened applications for a Graduate Intern – People & Culture position in Nairobi, Kenya. The opportunity is designed for recent graduates seeking practical experience in human resources within an international humanitarian and development organisation.
The full-time, on-site internship will provide exposure to recruitment, employee onboarding, HR administration, employee engagement, people analytics, compliance and other human resources functions.
About the Mercy Corps People & Culture Internship
The People & Culture Graduate Intern will support the People & Culture team in delivering HR services throughout the employee lifecycle.
The internship is intended to provide recent graduates with hands-on experience in both strategic and operational human resources functions. Interns will work in a diverse organisational environment while supporting Mercy Corps Kenya’s efforts to build an effective and inclusive workplace.
The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and applicants should be prepared to work on-site.
Key Responsibilities
The successful graduate intern will contribute to several areas of the People & Culture function.
Talent Acquisition and Onboarding
Responsibilities will include supporting recruitment and onboarding activities such as:
- Posting job opportunities.
- Screening applications.
- Scheduling interviews.
- Communicating with candidates.
- Assisting with interviews and assessment processes.
- Supporting new employee orientation.
- Ensuring employee documentation is completed and properly filed.
This will give the intern practical exposure to the recruitment process and employee lifecycle.
Employee Records and HR Administration
The intern will also assist with maintaining accurate employee information and supporting general HR administration.
Tasks may include updating HR systems and personnel files, drafting documents, managing staff databases and tracking probation reviews, contract renewals and other employee lifecycle changes.
The intern will be expected to handle employee information responsibly and maintain confidentiality while supporting compliance with organisational policies and Kenyan labour laws.
Employee Engagement and Organisational Culture
The role also includes supporting initiatives designed to strengthen employee engagement and workplace culture.
The intern may assist with:
- Staff engagement activities.
- Employee wellness initiatives.
- Internal communications.
- Employee recognition programmes.
- Team-building activities.
- Initiatives promoting Mercy Corps’ organisational values.
This provides an opportunity for graduates interested in employee experience and organisational development to gain practical experience.
HR Analytics and Reporting
The People & Culture Graduate Intern will also receive exposure to HR data and analytics.
Responsibilities include assisting with the collection and maintenance of HR data, preparing routine reports, dashboards and presentations, and supporting people analytics projects.
Attention to detail will be important because the role involves working with confidential employee information and ensuring that HR data is accurate.
Safeguarding, Ethics and Compliance
The intern will be required to uphold Mercy Corps’ Code of Conduct and safeguarding standards.
The successful candidate will be expected to maintain confidentiality, support organisational compliance requirements and contribute to a safe, inclusive and respectful working environment.
Mercy Corps states that safeguarding and ethical conduct are important components of its operations, and team members are expected to complete mandatory Code of Conduct training.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Mercy Corps Graduate Intern – People & Culture position should meet the following requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Psychology, Organisational Development, Industrial Relations or a related discipline.
- Must have graduated within the previous 12 months or be awaiting graduation after completing coursework.
- Membership of, or progress toward, a professional HR certification such as CHRP-K, IHRM or an equivalent qualification is an added advantage.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to handle confidential information professionally.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- A strong willingness to learn and develop.
- Ability to work effectively in a diverse and multicultural environment.
The position is particularly suited to recent graduates who want to build a career in human resources, people management or organisational development.
Learning and Professional Development
Mercy Corps emphasises continuous learning and provides team members with time dedicated to professional and personal development.
According to the organisation, team members are empowered to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that support their professional growth.
For a recent graduate, this learning-focused environment can provide valuable exposure to international humanitarian and development-sector HR practices.
Location and Work Arrangement
Position: Graduate Intern – People & Culture
Job category: Human Resources
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Work arrangement: Full-time, on-site
Requisition number: PEOPL006995
Applicants should note that this is an on-site opportunity in Nairobi, rather than a remote internship.
About Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps is a global humanitarian and development organisation working in more than 40 countries. The organisation partners with communities to address hardship, strengthen resilience and implement solutions intended to create a better world.
Working within Mercy Corps’ People & Culture department would therefore give the successful graduate intern an opportunity to gain HR experience within an international organisation operating across multiple countries and cultures.
Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
Mercy Corps states that it is an equal opportunity employer and does not tolerate discrimination. The organisation seeks individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives and skills and aims to maintain a respectful and inclusive working environment.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should review the full vacancy details and submit their applications through the official Mercy Corps recruitment platform.
Applicants should ensure that they meet the educational and recent-graduate requirements before applying.
Why Graduates Should Consider This Opportunity
The Mercy Corps Graduate Intern – People & Culture position offers recent HR and related graduates an opportunity to gain practical experience in an international humanitarian organisation.
The combination of recruitment, employee relations, HR administration, analytics, engagement and compliance responsibilities can help an early-career professional develop a broad understanding of modern human resources.
For graduates seeking to move from university into the humanitarian and development sector, the internship can also provide valuable exposure to a multicultural professional environment and internationally oriented HR practices.
Opportunity: Mercy Corps Graduate Intern – People & Culture
Field: Human Resources
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Work arrangement: Full-time, on-site
Eligible applicants: Recent graduates or candidates awaiting graduation
Degree fields: Human Resources, Business Administration, Psychology, Organisational Development, Industrial Relations or related fields
Posted: August 11, 2026
Requisition: PEOPL006995
