Internship: Local Value Chain Learning Framework support for Rooted in Diversity project

This internship is hosted by the Seeds for Resilience program team within the GREEN unit at Oxfam Novib. The foundations of the seeds stem from the SD=HS program and is currently applied across three projects: Cultivating Change, Rooted in Diversity and Crop diversity for food security in West Africa. This internship will focus on the the Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods (RiD) project is being implemented in Malawi, Niger and Uganda. The RiD project aims to strengthen food and nutrition security through climate-resilient local food systems that place small-scale food producers at the centre of agrobiodiversity management, farmer-managed seed systems, local value chains, and market development.

A core pillar of the project is the promotion and commercialization of locally adapted crops and varieties, Local Food Plants (LFPs), Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), and other minor crops that contribute to climate resilience, dietary diversity, and improved livelihoods primarily through the development of local value chains (LVC). Under the LVC component of the project, a Learning Framework has been developed to systematically capture How and Why interventions succeed and the bottlenecks they face, and to ensure that learning is used to improve implementation, inform scaling and contribute to policy influence.

The purpose of the internship is to support implementation of the LVC Learning Framework by developing a simple, sustainable data management system that makes programme evidence accessible and comparable across countries and helps teams use findings to improve implementation.

Through this work, you will gain insights into data management in the context of local value chains development with smallholder farmers in diverse development contexts as a critical aspect evidence-based programming and policy.

Key Tasks

The following tasks are envisaged during the internship:

Map existing evidence: Review the Learning Framework and available project data, monitoring information, assessments, partner reports and learning products. Create an evidence inventory noting source, country, topic, period, relevance and limitations; identify duplication and key gaps.

Develop a shared system: Help design a user-friendly repository or index using existing approved tools. Establish simple file-naming, tagging and metadata standards, a cross-country evidence matrix linked to Learning Framework questions, and clear procedures for updating, retrieving and maintaining information.

Make learning continuous: Create a concise learning log or decision tracker to record emerging findings, implications, agreed actions, responsible persons and follow-up.

Support learning products and exchange: Contribute to evidence-based blogs and briefs, ensuring key messages can be traced to their sources. Support preparation for the LVC learning meeting planned for mid-2027, including synthesis of cross-country lessons and questions for exchange.

Enable handover: Prepare a short user guide and recommendations for maintaining the system after the internship; walk relevant team members through its use and incorporate feedback.

Team links: Participate in team meetings and contribute to brainstorming sessions, including performing ad hoc tasks in the team.

• Master’s student in food systems development, local value chains, agribusiness or a related field.
• Good data management, qualitative and quantitative research, synthesis and writing skills.
• Interest in continuous learning, evidence-informed programming and knowledge management; practical, independent problem-solver.
• Good analytical and writing skills.
• Strong coordination and communication skills, cultural sensitivity and gender awareness.
• Understanding seed systems and agrobiodiversity is an advantage.
• Fluency in English required; working French is an advantage.

By the end of the internship, the team can find and interpret relevant evidence more easily, connect it to the Learning Framework, record learning and follow-up actions, and maintain the system. The focus is on a practical, adopted system—not a complex platform or a new large-scale research study.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the internships at Oxfam Novib must meet the following requirements:

Be a student of 18 years or older.

Be enrolled at a Dutch educational institution (university or HBO) for the whole duration of the internship.

Understand that this internship is formulated as work experience to develop an understanding of career objectives. It is not meant to be a thesis internship.

Have the legal right to live and work in The Netherlands or be prepared to obtain the right to follow an internship as part of their study in the Dutch educational institution. A three-partite internship agreement (between Oxfam Novib, the educational institution and the student) will be signed to that effect.

Have less than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience.

Not having been in employment with Oxfam Novib previously.

Our offer
An intern in Oxfam Novib is offered an internship contract for the duration of the internship and a monthly allowance based on €450,- per month on a basis of a 36-hour work week, pro-rata in case of less hours.

The intern is expected to have a student OV card; however, if not applicable, a reimbursement of commuting costs will be offered.

Oxfam Novib works on hybrid basis – partly from office, partly from home. Interns are expected to be on-site in The Hague at least two days a week, with remote work flexibility.

During this internship, the intern is supervised, overarchingly by the HRPC Unit Manager and daily/weekly by a designated colleague/buddy. The period of this internship takes place between February and June 2027 (approximately a period of 5 months). The period cannot be modified.

Working at Oxfam Novib

All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.

Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values, and principles, and who are committed to prevent and eliminate any type of misconduct.

We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.

We will ask the chosen candidate to provide a contact for a character reference (it could be from the university/higher educational institution or other sources)

Additional information

Do you believe that this is the internship you are looking for? Then we would love to receive your application! Please note that only applications received before the closing date 22 November 2026 and submitted via our application portal will be taken into consideration.