The Maa Trust is hiring five interns across its conservation and community development programmes in Kenya. These Internships at The Maa Trust Nairobi 2026 are open to recent graduates and diploma holders ready to gain hands-on experience in data management, healthcare, beadwork design, site maintenance, and microfinance. All positions are contract-based, reporting to the Nairobi office, with a deadline of 4 May 2026.
About This Role
The Maa Trust runs integrated programmes in the Maasai Mara ecosystem, combining wildlife conservation with direct community benefit — from health outreach and financial inclusion to artisan enterprise and field data systems. These internships are not desk-filling roles. You will be embedded within active programme teams, contributing real outputs from day one.
Each intern position has a distinct focus, but all share a common thread: working closely with Maasai communities, managing information carefully, and delivering results that feed into donor reports and programme strategy. If you are a recent graduate looking for meaningful fieldwork experience with a respected Kenyan NGO, one of these roles is worth your time.
Priority for several positions — particularly the Maa Beadwork and Site Management roles — is given to applicants from the local Mara area. Read the individual role summaries below carefully before applying.
Key Responsibilities
The five open internships and their core duties are outlined below.
Data Management Intern
- Update and maintain data collection tools including Excel trackers and KoboToolbox forms used by field teams.
- Clean, validate, and upload field data into The Maa Trust’s central databases (Excel or SQL).
- Build dashboards and infographics using Power BI and Microsoft SQL to visualise programme impact for internal and donor reporting.
- Conduct routine data quality checks and flag discrepancies to the MEAL and Grants Manager.
- Provide logistical and documentation support during field data collection exercises and community engagement forums.
Maa Beadwork Intern
- Support product design and documentation for Maa Beadwork collections, including concept development and collection refinement.
- Design and produce catalogues, lookbooks, and marketing materials using tools such as Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Photoshop.
- Update and maintain the Maa Beadwork website — adding new products, refreshing content, and keeping collections current.
- Photograph finished beadwork products and format images for both digital and print use.
- Maintain a structured digital library of product images, artisan records, and product labelling systems.
Healthcare Programme Intern
- Assist in preparing ICHP work plans and budgets in collaboration with the Health team.
- Support monthly meetings with Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and peer mentors across programme sites.
- Participate in community outreach events focused on sexual and reproductive health for youth, men, and women in the Mara.
- Help prepare health education materials and co-facilitate community learning sessions.
- Support WASH activities under the WASH Coordinator when programme needs require it.
Site Management Intern
- Assist with day-to-day supervision of groundwork including landscaping, drainage, and site cleanliness.
- Perform basic carpentry tasks — furniture repairs, fittings, and maintenance of wooden structures across office and field sites.
- Conduct routine maintenance checks and follow up on corrective actions for site equipment such as doors, windows, shelves, and fixtures.
- Track site materials, tools, and consumables inventory and report on usage.
- Ensure compliance with safety procedures and PPE use, and report any hazards immediately to the supervisor.
Microfinance Intern
- Support the development of microfinance workplans, activity schedules, and group formation for savings, table banking, and self-help groups.
- Deliver financial literacy and basic financial management training to community groups under the guidance of the Socio-Economic Empowerment Coordinator.
- Monitor and track group performance data including savings amounts, loan disbursement, and repayment rates.
- Assist microfinance groups in applying for loans and grants from identified financial institutions.
- Compile and submit timely programme reports covering key achievements, group performance, and lessons learned.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Data Management Intern
Essential:
- Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, Public Health, Social Sciences, Computer Science, or a related field.
- Recent graduate — degree completed within the last two years.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Familiarity with mobile data collection platforms such as KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, or ODK.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of Power BI, SPSS, Stata, or R for data analysis and visualisation.
- Experience with GIS mapping tools (ArcGIS or QGIS).
- Working knowledge of SQL databases.
- Spoken Kiswahili; knowledge of Maa is a plus.
Maa Beadwork Intern
Essential:
- Bachelor’s degree or demonstrated portfolio in product design, graphic design, visual communication, or a related creative field.
- Basic to intermediate skills in Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or equivalent design tools.
- Strong computer literacy across Excel, Word, and Google Workspace.
Desirable:
- Experience with website content management (updating product listings, uploading images).
- Basic photography and image editing skills.
- Interest in Maasai beadwork, craftsmanship, or artisan enterprise.
- Fluency in Maa (spoken) — candidates from the local Mara area will be given priority.
Healthcare Programme Intern
Essential:
- Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Community Health, Development Studies, or a related field — or currently in the final year of study.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills in both English and Kiswahili.
- Proficiency in MS Office.
Desirable:
- Basic understanding of Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (A/SRHR), WASH, or safeguarding.
- Experience with KoboCollect or other digital data collection tools.
- Knowledge of Maa language.
Site Management Intern
Essential:
- Certificate or Diploma in Carpentry, Building Technology, Construction Management, or a related technical field.
- Artisan certification from a recognised institution such as NITA or equivalent.
- Practical experience in carpentry and minor maintenance work — apprenticeship or informal work qualifies.
- Good physical fitness and willingness to perform manual labour.
Desirable:
- Basic knowledge of building maintenance systems and repair workflows.
- Previous experience working on NGO or institutional sites.
Microfinance Intern
Essential:
- Diploma in Community Development, Finance, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.
- Basic understanding of microfinance concepts, savings groups, or table banking.
- Good communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when working with women’s groups and community members with varying literacy levels.
- Basic computer skills — MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Desirable:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
- Prior exposure to financial inclusion or community-based savings programmes in Kenya.
Skills and Competencies
Across all five roles, The Maa Trust is looking for interns who bring:
- Attention to detail — whether handling data, product records, health reports, or site logs, accuracy matters in every role.
- Community sensitivity — you will work directly with Maasai families and community groups; patience, respect, and cultural awareness are non-negotiable.
- Initiative and self-management — these roles require you to work with minimal supervision at times, particularly in the field.
- Communication across languages — English and Kiswahili are baseline requirements; Maa is a significant advantage for fieldwork roles.
- Digital tool proficiency — from KoboToolbox and Power BI for data roles to Canva and website CMS for design; comfort with tech is expected.
- Report writing — all interns contribute to programme documentation, so clear written expression in English is essential.
What The Maa Trust Offers
All positions are offered on a contract basis covering the internship period. Specific stipend amounts have not been published; you should confirm remuneration details directly with The Maa Trust during the application process.
Beyond the stipend, these internships offer:
- Practical field experience within a respected Kenyan conservation and community development NGO.
- Exposure to MEAL systems, donor reporting, and NGO programme management — skills that are directly transferable across the development sector.
- The opportunity to work in and around the Maasai Mara ecosystem, one of Kenya’s most significant conservation landscapes.
- Mentorship from experienced programme coordinators across health, finance, data, and design teams.
About The Maa Trust
The Maa Trust is a Kenyan non-profit organisation that works alongside community-owned wildlife conservancies in the Maasai Mara. Founded on the principle that conservation succeeds when it delivers real, tangible benefits to the people who live alongside wildlife, The Maa Trust supports Maasai families through integrated programmes spanning healthcare, education, financial inclusion, artisan enterprise, and data-driven conservation monitoring.
The organisation operates across the Mara ecosystem with a Nairobi-based coordination office and deep roots in the pastoral communities of Narok County. With a team of specialist staff and a network of community partners, The Maa Trust occupies a respected position in Kenya’s conservation NGO landscape — known for rigorous programme design, strong donor relationships, and genuine community ownership of its work.
How to Apply
To apply for any of the five internship positions, send the following to recruitment@themaatrust.org:
- Your CV — maximum 2 pages.
- Your Academic Certificates.
- A 1-page cover letter explaining your interest in the specific role and the relevant skills you bring.
Use the correct subject line for the role you are applying for:
Use the correct subject line for the role you are applying for:
| Role | Subject Line |
|---|---|
| Data Management Intern | Data Management Intern Application – [Your Name] |
| Maa Beadwork Intern | Maa Beadwork Intern Application – [Your Name] |
| Healthcare Programme Intern | Healthcare Programme Intern Application – [Your Name] |
| Site Management Intern | Site Management Intern Application – [Your Name] |
| Microfinance Intern | Microfinance Intern Application – [Your Name] |
Tailor your cover letter specifically to the role you are applying for — a generic letter will not serve you well here.
Application Deadline
4 May 2026
Documents Required
- CV / Resume (max 2 pages)
- Cover Letter (1 page, role-specific)
- Academic Certificates / Transcripts
- Any professional certifications relevant to the role (e.g. NITA artisan certificate for Site Management)
