Development intern volunteer volunteer roles

Job title: Social Media & Communications Intern / Events & Fundraising Intern

Contract: 3-6 months or longer

Location: Croydon, South London

Salary: Volunteer - expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with our Expenses Policy

 About African Child Trust (ACT)

ACT is a growing international development charity with a Christian ethos, dedicated to educating disadvantaged children and empowering widows in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1998, we’ve supported children from primary school through to university and equipped widows with income-generating skills to sustain their families. Working with our local partners, we implement projects in education, livelihoods, sanitation, and health across eight African countries: Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Internship Opportunities

We are looking for outgoing and self-motivated individuals who will fit easily into our team and are passionate about making a difference in the world. These roles are ideal for graduates wanting to gain experience in the international development and charity sectors. Gap year opportunities for students and current undergraduates will be considered.

The two roles available are:

▪ Social Media & Communications

▪ Events & Fundraising

These internships are ideal for at least three to six months or longer, to obtain the full benefit of your experience.

Please note that internships at ACT are voluntary. However, we will reimburse reasonable expenses in line with our expenses policy.

Qualities and attributes

Social Media & Communications

The ideal candidates will:

● Have excellent written communication skills;

● Be creative and inventive, and confident in putting forward and discussing new ideas;

● Have an eye for graphics and visual design;

● Have previous experience in social media; and

● Have a desire both to learn and to contribute to our work.

Events & Fundraising

The ideal candidates will:

● Have experience using Office suite (primarily Word and Excel);

● Exhibit strong research skills;

● Be highly organised and able to prioritise tasks and manage time effectively;

● Be proactive with a positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills; and

● Have passion and empathy for the ethos of ACT.

Key responsibilities

Social Media & Communications

● Writing high-quality blogs and news articles and carrying out related research.

● Using Canva to create graphics for social media and scheduling posts via Buffer.

● Actively engaging with online supporters and followers.

● Promoting ACT’s events via social media platforms (Instagram, X, Facebook and LinkedIn).

● Engaging with social media analytics and adapting social media presence accordingly.

Events & Fundraising

● Assisting our small team with research pertaining to grant-funding opportunities.

● Provide research on potential corporate and school partnerships.

● Engaging with supporters in relation to fundraising activities, events and campaigns.

● Providing administrative and clerical support to staff.

● Inputting information into our CRM system.

Hours: Flexible; the position can be done remotely, but ideally, the successful applicant would be willing to travel to our Croydon office one day a week.

Closing date: 14 August 2026 

Interview/Start date: Shortlisted candidates will be informed by 19 August 2026, and interview dates will be arranged thereafter.

�� Important Eligibility Note:

This is an onsite, self-funded international volunteer and internship placement located in Ghana. This opportunity is open ONLY to international applicants traveling from outside the African continent (including Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica). Because SFLIG Volunteers operates on a sustainable, grassroots model, participants must fully fund their own experience, including international flights, visa arrangements, and the program fee which covers safe community housing, daily meals, airport pickup, and 24/7 onsite support. Local applications cannot be considered for this international framework.

Ready to step out of your comfort zone, travel with true purpose, and change young lives? Join our close-knit team in beautiful Ghana to inspire eager students, bridge vital educational gaps, and experience an unforgettable cultural immersion.

At SFLIG Volunteers, we don't believe in standard, sterile office jobs—we believe in human connection. In many of our partner communities just outside Accra, local classrooms are overflowing, and passionate teachers are stretched thin. They don't just need an extra pair of hands; they need your unique energy, your background, and your global perspective to help open up the world for their students.

This is your opportunity to break away from the everyday routine, build unmatched international leadership skills, and see the tangible, smiling results of your hard work every single morning.

Your Typical Day in the Classroom

This role is active, vibrant, and highly collaborative. You won’t just be sitting at a desk; you will be an active spark in the school community:

• The Co-Pilot: Work hand-in-hand with local headteachers to make core subjects like English conversation, basic Mathematics, and General Sciences come alive through interactive games and discussions.

• The Creative Spark: Bring your own hobbies across the globe! Whether you love drawing, music, painting, or sports, you will design and lead engaging workshops that build child confidence and creativity.

• The Mentor: Provide crucial, patient one-on-one reading and arithmetic support to bright children who have fallen behind and just need someone to believe in them.

Who You Are

We care far more about your heart, your drive, and your empathy than a piece of paper. You are the perfect fit if:

• You have a deep-seated desire to travel, explore new cultures respectfully, and give back to grassroots communities.

• You are patient, highly adaptable, and ready to embrace a vibrant, slow-paced, and welcoming new environment.

• No formal teaching qualifications or TEFL certificates are required. We provide all the training and tools; you just need to bring the enthusiasm!

The SFLIG Volunteers Experience: What's Included

We treat our international volunteers like family from the moment they apply:

• Total Support Network: From your comprehensive pre-departure prep to airport pickup and local orientation, our dedicated team guides you every step of the way.

• The Perfect Work-Life Balance: Your projects run Monday through Friday, giving you long weekends to explore Ghana’s beautiful coastal beaches, historic forts, and bustling local markets with your fellow volunteers.

• True 'Akwaaba' Hospitality: Live and work safely embedded within an authentic Ghanaian community, building lifelong global friendships.

Cultural Experience & Weekend Tours

Volunteering with SFLIG is a full cultural immersion. Beyond your hours at your placement, you will experience the famous warmth and hospitality of Ghana through local language lessons, traditional cooking sessions, and community gatherings.

On the weekends, you will have the opportunity to join coordinated group excursions to explore Ghana's rich history and breathtaking landscapes. Depending on your placement region, weekend tours can include:

• Walking the canopy bridges at Kakum National Park.

• Exploring the historic Cape Coast and Elmina Castles.

• Visiting the vibrant cultural markets of Kumasi.

• Relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the coastal region.

Program Flexibility & Hours

• Flexible Start Dates: This is an all-year-round opportunity. Volunteers and interns select their own arrival and departure dates to align with their personal, professional, or academic schedules.

• Customizable Schedules: You have the flexibility to determine your daily school/center shift lengths and the total number of hours you wish to commit each day, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the local culture.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The National Institute for African Studies (NIAS) is a London-based think tank that provides objective information on African affairs, looking to appoint a Research & Publishing Intern within its office in South West, London. Our main publication, The Saharan is an interdisciplinary journal published by NIAS aimed at exploring the dynamic relationship between culture and development in Africa/UK.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

- Support the editors in the sourcing & production of blog and journal publications

- Checking material for completeness, copy-edit and check appropriate non-technical material such as Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter updates

- Generate, check and correct files with names, contact information, number of articles, review assessments, and consent forms.

- Serve as a custodian of approved originals of all documentation produced for The Saharan journal

- Use NIAS LinkedIn account to connect to academics and groups to promote the journal, acquire papers, and attract skilled scholars to become reviewers

- Coordinate the publication flow of the journal and all stages of the editorial processes upon the release of each issue

- Review and adjust publications according to the style of the journal, ensuring the correct usage of references and plagiarism checking

- Update wordpress website and a range of social media accounts with news, updates and promotions

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST:

- Have a minimum of undergraduate degree

- Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications

- Good knowledge of wordpress, crm, social media tools

- Demonstrate excellent editorial and administrative skills together with high attention to detail

- Ability to work under pressure to tight schedules and deadlines

TO APPLY:

- CV

- Covering Letter

- Official transcript(s) of universities attended

- Contact information for two referees (email and telephone preferably from both universities and workplaces)

The position is based in London, UK. Only candidates who already possess the right to work in the UK should apply. The contract is for three months with a probation period of six weeks, extendable upon agreement and contingent on a continued volunteer/paid position.

Candidates should send a covering letter explaining the skills they would offer to NIAS, attaching a CV and a list of referees. The deadline for this round of application is 30 April. Due to the high number of applicants, only those selected will be contacted.

Flexible Working Options Available:

• Flexitime
• Work from home/university
• Part-time

Job Types: Volunteer, Internship

Benefits:

• Travel Expenses, Flexitime
• Support with relevant training
• Career Mentorship
• Sponsored attendance/Presentation at cultural events, conferences, seminars

Education:

•  BSc. and equivalent or higher (required)

Experience:

• Publishing: 1 year (preferred)
• Research 1 year (preferred)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Community Interaction & Behaviour Change Communication

· Visit villages, urban communities, and schools

· Interact with families, women, and children

· Understand local health practices, challenges, and needs

· Support ongoing community health programs

Hygiene Awareness Campaigns

· Conduct awareness sessions on:

o Personal hygiene (menstrual hygiene , handwashing, cleanliness)

o Sanitation practices

o Safe drinking water and hygiene habits

· Use creative methods like posters, demonstrations, and group activities

Basic Health Education

· Assist in delivering sessions on:

o Menstrual hygiene .

o Preventive healthcare

o Nutrition and balanced diet

o Common diseases and basic prevention methods

· Support local team in simplifying health messages for communities

School Health Programs

· Organize interactive sessions in schools on:

o Hygiene practices for children

o Importance of cleanliness and health

· Conduct activities such as:

o Games and quizzes

o Awareness discussions

o Health-focused storytelling

Women’s Health & Menstrual Hygiene Awareness

· Support workshops on:

o Menstrual hygiene management

o Breaking myths and stigma

o Importance of hygiene and health for women

· Assist in distributing educational materials

Research & Data Collection

· Conduct basic surveys and collect community feedback

· Observe and document hygiene practices and health awareness levels

· Assist in preparing reports and case studies

Campaign Design & Creative Outreach

· Help design:

o Awareness posters

o Educational materials

o Social media campaigns

· Participate in community awareness drives and local events

Community Interaction & Behaviour Change Communication

· Engage in conversations with community members

· Promote positive behaviour change related to hygiene and health

· Learn how communication strategies influence public health outcomes

Documentation & Storytelling

· Document field experiences through:

o Photography

o Blogs

o Video storytelling

· Share impact stories and community voices