Internship Opportunities at The Institute For Social Accountability (TISA)

Objectives

Enhance public awareness and engagement regarding Kenya’s public debt issues. Leverage the Okoa Uchumi Podcast and both the TISA and Okoa Uchumi social media platforms to disseminate information and encourage public discourse. Support the promotion of Okoa Uchumi’s events, podcasts, and other initiatives.

Scope of Work

• Content Creation and Management
  • Podcast: Develop engaging podcast episodes related to public debt and public financial management among other issues tackled in TISAs pillars, including writing podcast scripts episodes. Manage the recording, editing, and publishing of episodes.
  • Social media: Create engaging content (text, graphics, videos) for social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn). Schedule and publish posts, ensuring consistency with TISA and Okoa Uchumi’s branding.
  • Maintain a content calendar for both podcast episodes and social media posts.
  • Designing posters as well as fun, simplified information video clips for social media. (on Adobe Premiere, Cap Cut, InDesign, Illustrator etc.)
• Community Engagement
  • Monitor and respond to listener and follower feedback across platforms.
  • Foster discussions and build a strong online community.
  • Identify and engage with influencers, guests, and experts for podcast and social media content.
• Guest and Expert Sourcing
  • Research and identify potential guests and experts relevant to public debt and public financial management.
  • Coordinate guest scheduling and participation in podcast episodes.
  • Prepare briefing materials and questions for guests.
• Analytics and Reporting
  • Track and analyze metrics for both podcasts and social media to measure content effectiveness.
  • Provide regular reports on performance, including insights and recommendations for improvement.
  • Stay updated on trends and best practices in podcasting and social media.
• Campaign Support
  • Assist in planning and executing podcast and social media campaigns.
  • Collaborate with the team to promote Okoa Uchumi’s events and initiatives.
  • Use podcast and social media platforms to drive traffic to the Okoa Uchumi website.

Deliverables

• Content Calendars: Monthly schedules for podcast episodes and social media posts.
• Performance Reports: Weekly and monthly analyses of podcast and social media metrics.
• Production of Podcasts: Either through prior scheduling or on trending issues.
• Campaign Support: Contributions to the promotion and success of specific campaigns through writing articles or short videos.

Duration

• This role is initially offered for a 6-month period, with potential for extension based on performance and organizational needs. Regular performance reviews will be conducted.

Desired Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, Public Relations, Film or a related field.
• Additional qualifications in podcast production, digital media, or related areas are a plus.

Experience:

• 2-3 years of experience in podcast production, media, or communications.
• Proven experience in content creation, including writing, recording, and editing audio content.
• Graphic design skills.
• Familiarity with community engagement and managing listener interactions.
• Understanding of financial topics, particularly public debt and public financial management in Kenya, is highly desirable.
• Experience in guest sourcing and coordination for media or podcast platforms.
• Proficiency in podcast production tools and software.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to track, report, and suggest improvements based on metrics.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

ROLE AND PURPOSE

The Program Intern will support initiatives aimed at helping small-scale farmers and micro and small informal traders to advocate for their rights to food and better working conditions, and to comply with government trading requirements. The Inclusive People’s Economy Pillar focuses on engaging and supporting Kenya’s largest sources of income and livelihoods by engaging and capacity building small-scale farmers and informal traders for improved incomes and ensure access to quality and sustainable food at the household level.

Reporting to the Program Officer, the Program Intern will support in coordinating project activities, conducting desktop research to develop concepts, and supporting county engagements to map and organize farmers and traders to push for better working environment and compliance with government requirements for trading.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support to plan and organize training sessions, workshops, events and project activities, while maintaining positive relations with partners, and relevant stakeholders
• Support TISA’s outreach and communication efforts to engage stakeholders, including farmers, informal traders, community members, and government agencies.
• Provide administrative support, including handling activity logistics, scheduling meetings, taking minutes, and maintaining project documentation.
• Collaborate with team members to research, collect, analyze, and report data related to program outcomes and impact.
• Contribute to the creation of marketing materials, social media content, and other communication materials to promote public accountability initiatives.
• Collaborate with team members to execute project activities and coordinate monitoring and evaluation efforts.
• Support in compiling and submitting timely progress reports on project activities including meetings and workshops with different stakeholders.
• To take part in TISA functions as may be specified from time to time.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of social accountability principles, research methodologies, and advocacy strategies.
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Effective communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and independently, with minimal supervision.
• Good understanding of project management tools and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Willingness to travel frequently to project sites within Kenya.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance.

Duration and Location

• The internship is expected to last six months.
• The internship is based in Nairobi, with occasional travel to TISA project sites.

Supervision and Reporting

• The Program Intern will report directly to the Program Officer.
• Regular feedback and performance evaluations will be provided throughout the internship period

JOB SUMMARY

The Accounts Intern, with the guidance of grants and Finance Officer, will be responsible for efficiently executing finance and accounting operations. The role is expected to ensure the Institute’s financial and legal integrity within the framework of policies, procedures, and statutory requirements. In addition, the intern will support program teams in complying with donor rules and regulations and provide budgetary oversight on project activities. The incumbent is expected to maintain appropriate books of accounts, transaction activities, and relevant documentation

Duties and Responsibilities
Payment Processing

• Support the processing of payments including preparing summaries for online transactions and M-Pesa bulk transactions.
• Verify and reconcile invoices with purchase orders and receipts to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies and maintain meticulous payment documentation.
• Understand donor requirements and ensure compliance

Record-Keeping and Filing

• Maintain organized and up-to-date financial records, implementing efficient filing systems.
• Support with retrieving documentation, scanning and photocopying.
• Engage in setting up the TISA ERP system.

Data posting

• Accurately post data in the accounting software
• Reconcile ledgers with donor reports

Bank Reconciliation

• Monitor and track transactions to ensure the accuracy and currency of financial information.
• Any other support that may be requested from time to time

Required Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or a related field from a recognized university.
• CPA finalist qualifications will be an added advantage
• Donor experience – basic experience in fund-based accounting work is desired.
• A sound knowledge of accounting and financial management.
• Experience with accounting software, excellent accounting knowledge, book-keeping forecasting, operations management, and proficiency in MS Office, especially Pastel and Excel.
• Familiarity and understanding of the financial donor reporting requirements.

Personal Attributes/Competencies

Creating & Innovating

• Produces new ideas, approaches, or insights; creates innovative programmes; produces a range of solutions to problems; seeks opportunities for organizational improvement; devises effective initiatives.

Learning and Researching

• Rapidly learns new tasks, committing information to memory; gathers comprehensive information to support decision-making; demonstrates a rapid understanding of newly presented information; encourages organisational learning approach; manages knowledge (collects, catalogues, and disseminates knowledge).

Delivering Results

• Apply specialist technical expertise; develop job knowledge through continuous professional development; share expertise and knowledge with others.
• Sets high standards for quality; monitors and maintains quality and productivity; works systematically, methodically, and orderly; consistently achieves project goals.
• Works productively under pressure; controls emotions during difficult situations; maintains a positive outlook; handles criticism well and learns from it.

Adapting to change

• Adapts to changing circumstances; accepts new ideas; adapts interpersonal style to suit different people and situations; shows sensitivity to cultural and religious differences; deals with ambiguity and uses the opportunities it presents.

Role Purpose

The HR and Admin Intern role is to provide administrative support to the HR department to ensure the implementation of the strategic plan, vision and mission of the organization. The role will also be to check the pulse of the organization’s culture through strategic time, talent, and people management. This role will specifically support the HR and Admin functions in organizing, compiling updating and maintaining records and documentation.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with day-to-day operations of the HR functions and duties
• Maintain personnel records
• Help organize and manage new employee orientation, on-boarding, and training programs
• Assist in leave management
• Assist in staff performance management processes
• Prepare paperwork for human resources policies and procedures
• Support in processing employees’ requests and provide relevant information
• Assist in preparation of reports and presentations for internal communications
• Assist in payroll preparation by providing relevant data like new hires, terminations, sick leaves, vacation and days off
• Support in updating human resources databases by inputting information on new hires, separations, warnings and leaves
• Provide office support in the screening, interviewing, and testing of applicants
• Assist Executive Officer to obtain new hires
• Scheduling interviews, and performing other administrative tasks to ensure smooth HR operations
• Support in onboarding TISA staff to available benefits including medical, pension etc.
• Support with retrieving documentation, scanning and photocopying.
• Engage in setting up the TISA ERP system.
• Engage in staff welfare activities
• Maintain schedule and coordinate calendar activities including staff weekly meeting
• Promote TISA’s mission and values.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor’s degree in human resources management or similar relevant field from a recognized University
• Experience working as a HR administrative assistant is desirable
• Experience with recruitment marketing is desirable
• Ability to effectively use computer software including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and HR software
• Familiarity with labor laws
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills
• A reliable and supportive team member
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
• Attention to details
• High level of discretion and ability to handle confidential information.