The role will involve engaging with other teams across Mercy Corps departments (Award Management, Finance, Technical, Ethics, etc.) throughout the internship. The role will have the opportunity to join meetings (primarily calls) with colleagues across various departments and countries.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand Mercy Corps approach to compliance, particularly with regard to donors and the funding environment, and how we collaborate across departments.
• Gain an understanding of how a compliance team works in a global humanitarian and development organisation.
• Develop document review, research and potentially automation skills.
• Be exposed to grants and funding requirements, as well as projects, in a not for profit / humanitarian setting.
• Build communication, planning and organisational skills.
• Gain experience in a multicultural work environment, coordinating and communicating with a global team across different time zones and geographies, many of whom operate in complex, challenging environments

Deliverables:

• Consolidate current standard due diligence responses and recent due diligence exercises
• Update suite of standard due diligence responses, including reviewing current package, coordinating with relevant functions to get updated responses
• Develop SOP for donor due diligence process
• Scope opportunities for automation or tools which can support a more efficient process
• Potentially deliverables in relation to rebrand related activities for due diligence responses and/or for ongoing organisational due diligence exercises
• Develop repository for completed due diligence exercises

The Ideal Candidate:

We are looking for someone who is excited by our vision and mission and the opportunity to help us deliver on a current organisational initiative. The ideal candidate is a highly organised and analytical student or recent graduate with an interest in compliance, governance and/or process improvement. They should possess strong research, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, work independently, and explore innovative solutions such as AI-enabled process automation. We believe this is an ideal opportunity for an internship as it provides exposure to several thematic areas within an international NGO. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• University degree in progress or recently completed, ideally in Law, business or a related subject.
• Some experience working with policies and procedures and/or contracts would be beneficial.
• Fluent in English; excellent writing skills in English.
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members.
• Strong multi-tasking, organisational and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Highly developed computer skills and strong familiarity with Microsoft Office, experience with technology solutions/automation tools would be a plus.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to people and cultures globally.

Mercy Corps interns represent the agency both during and outside of work hours and are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Application Process

Candidates interested in this internship should submit a CV and a short statement of interest (no more than one page) prior to the closing date of 28 August 2026 at 5pm (BST). In your statement, you are encouraged to discuss any experiences relevant to the role. You may wish to describe your career interests (specifically as they relate to humanitarian and / or development) and discuss your previous work and educational experiences demonstrating these interests.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with two team members, which will include a range of experience, competency and motivation questions.

All applicants should be able to demonstrate the ability to work in the UK by the start date of the internship.