Female Empowerment & Gender Equality Internship in Zambia

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Support women and teenage girls and work to close prevailing gender gaps in Zambia

Join a dedicated organization that runs female empowerment projects in Zambia. It’s an opportunity to learn about gender equality issues in an African context, to get an in-depth understanding of the nonprofit sector, and to contribute to a worthwhile cause.

The project is based in Livingstone, Zambia , and supports teenage girls and working to close prevailing gender gaps. As an intern, you’ll both be able to help facilitate projects on the ground, and work behind the scenes on fundraising, reporting, communications, and related areas. This Female Empowerment and Gender Equality internship will give you a broad understanding of nonprofit management in general, and female empowerment projects in particular.

ORGANIZATION

Addressing a number of disadvantages females face in the African countries they work in, this nonprofit provides teenage girls with developmental support. They do this through a number of different focus areas; education, health, safety, income generation, early pregnancy and self-confidence. The overall goal of these projects is to see better educated young women (and men) head towards adulthood with a smaller gender gap and more opportunities for women.

TASKS & REQUIreMENTS

During this female empowerment internship, you’ll be supported by staff members on the ground, as well as a qualified personal development coach, who will help you make the most of the experience, and place it in the context of your academic course and your future career.

Responsibilities

  • Development and facilitation of educational projects on the ground. If you have any special interests and skills, it’s always possible to share these the girls we work with. Think about confidence-building activities, self-defense, or even dance as a form of self-expression!
  • Facilitation of support groups for girls and women: to help uplift them (and their family) discussions, workshops and sometimes also income-generating activities
  • Family assistance: ranging from assistance at home to working with the children to provide them a better foundation for future education and work
  • Fundraising activities
  • Monitoring and evaluation
  • Donor relationship managements
  • Communications & social media

Requirements

  • Passion for creating change on global issues such as human rights, gender equality, and female empowerment. Plus you should be able to adapt to living in an African country.
  • We work predominantly with vulnerable children addressing sensitive topics, so it’s important you are emotionally strong, open-minded, and posses a certain level of maturity.
  • Positive attitude and willingness to step out of your comfort zone.
  • Be a self-starter and pro-active (even though you will be working with a supportive team).

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

You will be based in Livingstone, a welcoming tourist town in a unique setting. Just a short drive away from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River and the famous Victoria Falls, there will be plenty of opportunities to take sunset boat cruises and explore what nature has to offer! During your time off, you can venture to the African bush for a safari or stroll around the local markets.

Your backpackers accommodation is included in the internship fee, and we’ll arrange it all for you! There are dorms or single rooms available, and you’ll have use of a great number of facilities, including a pool.

Safety & Support

Safety & Support

Zambia is a relatively safe country, but there is petty crime, so it’s always good to be vigilant. Some safety tips are to avoid traveling alone, take a taxi/Uber at night, know safe/unsafe areas, avoid carrying valuables around, stay alert, and inquire about swim area safety. Prioritize protection from heatstroke and dehydration during your stay by drinking plenty of water. It is also important to respect the advice given to you by the accommodation host and internship supervisor.

Communication

Communication

Free Wi-Fi is available at the accommodation for staying in touch with loved ones through WhatsApp, Zoom, etc., but it may be slow. Purchase a Zambian SIM card for reliable phone use or opt for roaming.

Meals

Meals

At the backpackers, you can enjoy diverse meals with international and local flavors! During weekdays, breakfast and dinner are included in the fee, and open fire cooking sessions and braais (BBQ) are enjoyed weekly. Make sure to notify us in advance of any allergies/dietary needs.

Location details

Location details

Livingstone is located in one of Africa’s most peaceful countries, and offers a welcoming atmosphere where the locals will make you feel at home. Add excitement with bungee jumping, white water rafting, or helicopter flights. You can discover landmarks such as the Chobe Safari (Botswana) and Victoria Falls or take a weekend trip over to Zimbabwe!

DATES & RATES

Fee Breakdown

Start dates

2026: 5 Jan – 2 Feb – 2/30 Mar – 27 April – 25 May – 22 June – 20 July – 17 Aug – 14 Sept – 12 Oct – 9 Nov

Internships longer than 12 weeks are possible; contact us for more information.

What you will pay (2027 rates)

4 weeks USD 3,625

6 weeks USD 5,405

8 weeks USD 7,185

10 weeks USD 8,965

12 weeks USD 10,745

Inclusions

  • Careful matchmaking. It takes time to find the right internship for each person, and we take this process very seriously.
  • Initial interview with one of our team to gauge your skills, interests, and desired learning outcomes.
  • An academic internship eligible for university credit. Check with your university to confirm if this internship qualifies for credit or alternatively we can assist you with purchasing transfer credits.
  • Accommodation in a shared room
  • 3 meals a day from Monday to Friday
  • All daily transfers to and from your projects
  • Wifi access
  • Housekeeping service
  • Guidance with your visa arrangement and other preparations
  • Onboarding with your supervisor
  • Regular check-ins
  • Support from the Roots team remotely
  • A certificate of completion at the end of your internship
  • A reference letter upon request

Exclusions

  • Flights to Livingstone
  • Visa and medical/travel insurance costs for the duration of your placement – must include cover for repatriation
  • Meals on the weekend
  • Drinks, snacks, and items of personal nature (f.e. curios, gifts, clothing)
  • Costs for additional excursions or activities
SCHOLARSHIP & FUNDING

FAQs

Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Zambia.

What can I expect from an internship in Zambia?

During your internship in Zambia, you’ll be able to work with people from around the world, while also becoming part of a tight-knit community. Check out this testimonial blog from a past intern about her experience in Zambia to learn more about what your Zambian internship may entail!

How will internships with NGOs in Zambia boost my career development?

An internship with an NGO in Zambia will allow you to develop and strengthen various skills such as communication, teamwork, project management, problem-solving, leadership, and adaptability. You can check out this blog article in order to learn more about why doing a charity internship is good for your career!

Will I work with other interns during my internship with Roots?

It’s not a guarantee that there will be other interns on-site at the same time as you, but the organizations work with people internationally and locally to achieve their goals daily so there are plenty of colleagues around. The accommodation is a great way to meet other volunteers in the area as well!

Who can apply for an internship in Zambia?

Anyone over the age of 18 with a valid passport can apply for an internship abroad in Zambia.

Am I able to receive a stipend of any kind during my internship?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to receive any compensation. Since you’ll be joining a nonprofit organization, your internship will be unpaid, but you can find ways to fund your internship here. The opportunities for both professional and personal growth are invaluable and your experience will bring a wealth of new knowledge!

REVIEWS

This internship has been an unforgettable experience. The work was deeply fulfilling and gave me valuable insight into what it’s like to be part of an NGO. Beyond the office, I had an absolutely incredible time in Livingstone. I've spent nights under the stars at Chobe National Park, I've gone bungee jumping and rope swinging off of the bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls, and built lifelong friendships with fellow interns and volunteers. It has been truly phenomenal—far beyond what I ever imagined.

Ty, American – Muskingum University

NGO Management Internship, Zambia

QUICK FACTS

LOCATION: Livingstone, Zambia
PROGRAM FOCUS: Social NGO
TASK FOCUS: Program Development, NGO Management
LENGTH: 4-12 Weeks
COST: From USD 3,625

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Assist with educational projects and support groups
  • Gain insight in and assist with fundraising, communications, donor management, and monitoring
  • Contribute to an organization aiming to empower and educate girls, women, boys and men to help them make more informed positive decisions that promote gender equality
  • Opportunity to also share you own special interests, hobbies, and skills with the girls
  • Live with other volunteers and interns
  • Explore African wildlife, visit cultural sites and the colourful markets in your spare time
ENQUIREAPPLY NOW

HOW TO APPLY

If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:

APPLY

Fill in the application form and share your CV with us.

GET STARTED

CONNECT

We’ll set up a call to get to know a bit more about you and your internship goals.

MATCH

If we feel it’s a good match, the placement manager will set up a call between you and the supervisor of the host organization

CONFIRM

If everybody’s happy, we will provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and give you access to our portal where you can find all the information you need.

PREPARE

Once we receive your deposit payment, the placement will be officially confirmed. We’re excited to help you plan and prepare for your international internship!

NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?

If you’d like to ask us some questions about our internships, fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!

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