About Light for the World

Light for the World sparks lasting change on disability rights and eye health. We believe in a world where people with eye conditions and disabilities can fully exercise their rights to health, education, work, and protection in emergencies. Over the last three decades, Light for the World has contributed to improving eye health systems and amplifying the voices of people with disabilities.

Our programmes include:

• Eye Health – preventing blindness and promoting eye health for all.
• Inclusive Education – ensuring children with disabilities receive quality, inclusive education.
• Inclusive Economic Empowerment – ensuring that barriers are removed for men and women with disabilities to access decent work.

In Kenya, Light for the World promotes the socioeconomic inclusion of people with disabilities. We focus on empowering people with disabilities by helping them build skills and access opportunities for growth. At the same time, we influence systemic changes to ensure people with disabilities thrive in inclusive environments. Our dual approach emphasizes on the empowerment of people with disabilities alongside broader social transformation.

Through our programmes, we create opportunities for inclusive business and employment. Our Inclusive Business approach equips entrepreneurs with the tools and networks they need to succeed in competitive markets, while advocating for a business environment that embraces diversity. We also partner with organisations and institutions to foster inclusive workplaces by addressing barriers such as a lack of accessibility, negative attitudes and policies.

Background of RISE Program

The Ready for Inclusive Sustainable Employment (RISE) Project, funded by the Standard Chartered Bank Foundation, is a dynamic three-year initiative designed to empower 1,000 young people—both with and without disabilities—to successfully transition into decent and sustainable employment. The project adopts a holistic and layered approach to workforce readiness, equipping participants with essential life skills, employability competencies, and meaningful exposure to the labor market. Through a combination of self-paced online modules, virtual instructor-led sessions, and in-person trainings, participants engage in a comprehensive skills development journey that covers critical areas such as self-leadership, communication, CV writing, interview techniques, and mental health awareness.

Beyond the training phase, the RISE project offers structured career mentorship to 300 selected participants, pairing them with experienced professionals who guide and support their personal and career growth. The program further bridges the gap between learning and employment through practical job shadowing experiences, paid internship opportunities, and direct job placement linkages. Recognizing that inclusive employment is a shared responsibility, RISE also engages employers and training institutions through disability awareness training, accessibility audits, and inclusive workplace coaching to strengthen their disability confidence.

In parallel, the project promotes systemic change by working with key stakeholders, including government agencies, employer associations, and organizations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), to advocate for inclusive labor policies and create enabling environments for youth employment. Ultimately, RISE not only builds the capacity of young people to succeed in the job market, but also transforms employer attitudes and institutional practices to foster lasting inclusion and opportunity.

Objective of the Internship

The internship provides critical administrative and field support to the RISE team, while offering the intern valuable experience in project coordination, data management, and stakeholder engagement. The intern will help bridge communication, track progress, and support the delivery of high-impact inclusive employment activities.

Key Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the RISE Project Manager, the intern will be responsible for:

1. Project Implementation and Administration

• Assist in organizing and coordinating day-to-day activities including training sessions, mentorship meetings, job shadowing, and graduation events.
• Prepare documentation for activities, including participant lists, attendance registers, and training materials.
• Provide support in procurement and requisition processes.

2. Student and Mentor Follow-Up

• Conduct weekly follow-ups with students in the self-paced program to track progress and identify support needs.
• Maintain a tracker for all project beneficiaries across different institutions.
• Support follow-up with mentors to document session feedback, resolve challenges, and update mentor-mentee progress logs.

3. Reporting and Documentation

• Draft and compile weekly summaries, monthly reports, and success stories.
• Maintain an up-to-date archive of project documents and activity outputs.
• Support in drafting briefs and input for donor reports, including photo documentation and consent forms.

4. Stakeholder and Institutional Engagement

• Support logistics and coordination for employer visits, disability awareness sessions, and stakeholder forums.
• Act as a point of contact with institutions and employers for scheduling and follow-ups.
• Assist in collecting feedback from institutions and employers to inform continuous improvement.

5. Other Duties

• Support preparation of certificates, reports, and event materials.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to adaptive learning processes.
• Carry out other administrative or programmatic duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a diploma or degree program in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Project Management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest or experience in youth empowerment, disability inclusion, or community development programs.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of working independently as well as part of a team.
• Prior experience (including volunteer work) in project coordination, administrative support, or stakeholder engagement is a strong asset.

Learning Opportunities

The intern will gain valuable experience in:

• Project implementation and management within an inclusive employment program.
• Stakeholder engagement with government agencies, private sector, and civil society organizations.
• Monitoring and evaluation processes in a donor-funded project.

stipend

A modest stipend of KES 30 000 will be provided to cover transport and communication costs.

How to Apply:

Benefits:

This is your chance to drive meaningful change with an internationally recognized development organization, while expanding your professional skills and experience.

Join a motivated, diverse, and professional team committed to continuous growth and innovation. We value participatory leadership, where your ideas and expertise will shape our collective success.

Experience a warm, dynamic, and inclusive work environment where everyone’s contributions are valued, and collaboration is at the heart of our mission.

We look forward to receiving your application no later than 19th May 2025. Please apply using: RISE Intern complete CV, Cover Letter are important elements of the application process. Let us know why you want to join our team and why you feel you are good fit.

Light for the World is an Equal Opportunity Employer that highly values diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from candidates with disabilities.