Quantitative research internship (focus on public opinion) in the Learning, Innovation and Knowledge

The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge (LINK) Unit is a specialty unit housed in the Programmes Department, which consists of seven goal units and two expertise units, of which LINK is one. The purpose of the Programmes Department is to achieve impact by shaping policies, designing thematic strategies, supporting, managing and implementing our programmes/projects and global, regional and national level campaigns that help further our 10-year vision (Manifesto 2030) of an inclusive (Equal), secure (Safe), equitable (Fair) and sustainable (Green) world in an efficient and effective manner.

The LINK unit’s supports, connects and collaborates with colleagues and partners to ensure that impactful multi-country programmes are informed by sound research methodologies, monitoring and evidence of progress towards objectives, as well as lessons learnt on what works for our Equal, Green, Fair and Safe goals. This is achieved within and beyond the Oxfam confederation through the four LINK sub teams - Research, Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), Innovation and Design, and Learning and Knowledge.

About the internship

This internship will be hosted within the LINK Research team, which conducts quantitative and qualitative research to inform Oxfam Novib's programmes, campaigns and strategic decision-making.

The intern will contribute to ongoing research projects, with a particular focus on supporting the design, implementation and analysis of a large-scale public opinion survey. This will provide an opportunity to gain practical experience across different stages of the research process, from reviewing existing evidence and developing research instruments to analysing data and communicating findings.

The intern will work closely with experienced researchers and have opportunities to develop methodological, analytical and communication skills in a diverse, feminist and collaborative research environment.

Key Tasks

🖥️ Research and survey design

• Conduct literature and desk reviews to identify relevant theories, existing research, survey instruments and validated measures that can inform the design of quantitative studies.
• Support the development of research frameworks, survey questionnaires and measurement indicators, including the identification and adaptation of relevant survey questions.
• Assist with survey programming, testing and piloting, ensuring clarity, consistency and appropriate questionnaire structure.

🔍 Data collection and analysis

• Support the implementation and monitoring of survey data collection, including data quality checks.
• Assist with preparing, cleaning, organising and documenting quantitative datasets.
• Conduct descriptive statistical analysis and, depending on experience, support more advanced statistical analysis to identify relevant patterns, differences and relationships in the data.
• Support the interpretation and presentation of research findings through tables, visualisations, presentations and research reports.

🤝 Additional research and team activities

• Contribute to other ongoing research projects on topics such as activism, campaigning, fair financing, humanitarian assistance and related areas.
• Participate in team meetings and contribute to brainstorming sessions.
• Support ad hoc tasks as needed, including event organization, logistics, administrative support, translation, and editing.

Who/what Are We Looking For?

🎓 Currently a Masters' degree student in a relevant study. Students in political science, sociology, economics, social statistics, social science or data science are encouraged.

💻 Experience working with quantitative data, including data cleaning, management and analysis, preferably using statistical software such as R, Stataor Python.

📊 A good understanding of quantitative research methodologies, particularly survey research, questionnaire design and statistical analysis.

📚 Familiarity with conducting academic literature reviews, critically assessing research evidence and synthesising findings.

🔍 A good understanding of survey design principles, including question wording, measurement, sampling and potential sources of bias, is an asset.

✍️ Strong analytical and writing skills, with the ability to communicate research findings clearly and accurately.

✍️ Excellent written & spoken English skills, knowledge of Dutch is an important asset.

🌍 Strong cultural sensitivity and gender awareness.

📋 Organized, punctual, and attentive to detail.

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 degree 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 LINK 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.