INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES UNDER THE HORN OF AFRICA GROUNDWATER FOR RESILIENCE PROJECT (HoAGW4RP) – 2025/2026
The Government of the Republic of Kenya, through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation (MoWSI), invites qualified and motivated young graduates to apply for internship positions under the Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project (HoAGW4RP1) . This internship program forms part of a broader initiative by the Ministry to enhance the sustainable management of groundwater resources in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
The Ministry, with support from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank, seeks to promote the professional development of emerging talent through structured internship placements for the financial year 2025/2026. The selected candidates will gain practical experience in various technical and operational aspects of groundwater management, contributing to one of the most critical development goals in the region.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Horn of Africa Groundwater for Resilience Project (HoAGW4RP) is a five-year project running from July 2022 to December 2027. It targets five counties in the ASAL region— Turkana, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, and Mandera —aiming to improve groundwater resource utilization and conservation.
The overall Project Development Objective (PDO) is to enhance accessibility and promote the sustainable management of groundwater in the Horn of Africa borderlands. The HoAGW4RP is set to benefit approximately 1.5 million rural residents in these counties by improving their access to water through better groundwater assessment, aquifer restoration, recharge, and conservation efforts. The project also seeks to develop enabling policies, regulations, and guidelines to support long-term groundwater visibility and management.
INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
In alignment with Component 2A of the project, which focuses on strengthening national and regional groundwater institutions and generating data for informed groundwater management, the Ministry is implementing a targeted Internship Program for young graduates. This initiative is coordinated by MoWSI and managed by the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources (RCGW) .
The internship program is guided by the Public Service Internship Programme Policy and Guidelines (May 2016) and the Public Service Internship Act 2023 , ensuring that all activities and deployments are in accordance with national standards.
OBJECTIVE OF THE INTERNSHIP
This internship aims to:
- Bridge the gap between academic training and practical field experience.
- Empower young professionals with the knowledge, tools, and exposure necessary for careers in water resources management.
- Foster a new generation of experts capable of addressing the complex challenges of water scarcity and groundwater sustainability in Kenya and the region.
TARGET GROUP
This program specifically targets young graduates who:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields related to water resources, engineering, environmental studies, natural resource management, geology, hydrology, or similar disciplines.
- Obtained their degree within two years prior to the date of this advertisement.
- Are interested in gaining practical skills and knowledge related to groundwater development, conservation, and policy.
NUMBER OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE
The first cohort of the internship will include 45 positions , with successful candidates expected to commence in the third quarter of 2025 .
INTERNSHIP DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Interns under this program will be assigned to various offices within the institutions implementing the HoAGW4RP project. Each intern will be provided with a supervisor or mentor to ensure the proper transfer of knowledge and skills. The duties include:
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Completion of Assigned Tasks
- Interns will undertake responsibilities delegated by their supervisors or mentors.
- These tasks will vary by deployment station but will be aligned with the project’s goals of groundwater development and sustainable water resource management.
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Documentation and Learning
- Interns will be expected to keep records of the tasks completed and the skills acquired throughout the internship period.
- They are to maintain learning journals and submit periodic reports to their mentors and the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources.
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Mentorship and Evaluation Participation
- Participation in mentorship sessions, training workshops, and peer learning forums is mandatory.
- Interns must cooperate with the quarterly monitoring and evaluation exercises to assess their performance and development.
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Deployment Flexibility
- Interns should be prepared to work at any project site or implementing institution within the five counties of operation, depending on project needs and available internship vacancies.
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Professional Conduct
- Interns are required to adhere to the rules, ethics, and conduct of the host institution.
- Confidentiality of information and the protection of project tools and data are essential.
- All interns must obtain formal clearance before exiting their deployment station at the end of the internship.
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Skill Development
- Interns should make deliberate efforts to acquire and enhance skills in their area of specialization, ensuring that the program adds value to their long-term career paths.
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Exit Protocol
- On completion of the internship, interns must return all materials and secure clearance from their supervising institution.
- Interns will receive a certificate of completion , subject to satisfactory performance and fulfillment of all internship requirements.
DURATION AND REMUNERATION
- The internship period will run for 12 months and is non-renewable .
- Interns will receive a monthly stipend and field allowances as outlined in the Public Service Internship Programme Guidelines (October 2019).
- Remuneration will be based on the official Government internship compensation structure.
TERMINATION CONDITIONS
Internship may be terminated under any of the following circumstances:
a) Absenteeism : Absence from the workstation without official permission for more than two working days.
b) Gross Misconduct : Disorderly behavior, dishonesty, or violation of workplace norms.
c) Poor Performance : Failure to meet assigned responsibilities or consistently substandard work output.
d) Insurbordination : Disobedience or failure to follow lawful instructions from supervisors.
e) Criminal Offense : Commission of any offense punishable under Kenyan law.
Additionally, an internship can be terminated by either the intern or the host institution by providing one month’s written notice to the head of the institution.
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS
The selection process will be based on:
- Academic qualifications and relevance to the internship scope.
- Time since graduation (not more than two years from the date of advertisement).
- Performance during the interview process , which will be scheduled after the application period closes.
- Willingness to be deployed in any of the five target counties under HoAGW4RP.
The Ministry emphasizes that the selection will be merit-based, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
All applications must be submitted on or before 22nd July, 2025 .
No late applications will be considered. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply early and ensure they meet all eligibility criteria.
HOW TO APPLY
All eligible and interested graduates are required to submit their applications