Marketing Communications Intern

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org. 

Background of the Project

The Clean Faces, Clean Environment – A Path to Sustaining Trachoma Elimination is a 5-year project funded by the Fred Hollows Foundation. The [project aims to accelerate and sustain the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region. Trachoma remains a leading cause of preventable blindness, primarily linked to poor hygiene and environmental sanitation.

Building on the WASH for Trachoma Elimination (WASHTra I & II) initiatives, the project promotes facial cleanliness, hygiene behaviour, and community-led waste management. It applies SNV’s Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All (SSH4A) approach and the Behaviour Centred Design (BCD) framework to ensure lasting behavioural change. The project aligns with the national SAFE strategy and the Total Sanitation to End Open Defecation and Urination (TSEDU)–Ethiopia initiative.

The project adopts a five-year phased leadership transition from SNV to the Oromia Health Bureau (OHB): SNV leads and builds capacity (Years 1–3), followed by joint implementation (Year 4), OHB-led activities with SNV support and full OHB leadership with SNV advisory (Year 5). The project aligns with government-led initiatives, including the One WASH National Program, a national campaign aimed at eliminating open defecation by 2030 and one of the Bureau of Health’s key priorities.

The project will be implemented in 49 woredas across six zones of Oromia Regional State: Arsi, East Hararghe, East Shewa, Guji, Jimma, and West Hararghe.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INTERNSHIP

The Marketing Communications Intern will support the implementation of the project’s communication and visibility activities. The role will contribute to the development of communication materials, documentation of field activities, social media content, and coordination of knowledge-sharing events. The intern will work closely with the Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Advisor, GESI Officer, and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to ensure effective internal and external communication.

The Marketing Communications Intern will be responsible for:

Communication and Visibility:

• Support the development of project visibility materials including briefs, fact sheets, banners, posters, and newsletters.
• Assist in preparing human-interest stories, success stories, and photo essays from project sites.
• Help maintain SNV and FHF branding standards across all communication outputs.
• Contribute to managing project updates on SNV’s website and social media channels in collaboration with the communications team.
• Assist in documenting major project events, workshops, and learning forums.

Knowledge Management and Documentation

• Support compilation of project data, photos, and field reports for periodic updates and reports.
• Assist in organizing project files, photo libraries, and digital documentation repositories.
• Help prepare presentation materials and briefing notes for internal and external meetings.
• Work with the MEL team to produce simplified communication materials from key learning and research findings.

Event and Coordination Support

• Support the coordination of workshops, community events, and media visits and documenting meeting proceedings
• Assist in developing communication plans and checklists for public campaigns such as Global Handwashing Day, World Toilet Day,  and Clean Face Week
• Liaise with local media and communication partners for coverage of project activities.

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Provide logistical and documentation support for field missions, photo shoots, and training events.
• Maintain communication activity records and ensure regular updates to the communication tracker.

Learning Opportunities

• Gain hands-on experience in development communication and project visibility within a WASH and health context.
• Develop skills in storytelling, digital communication, and documentation.
• Learn to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural project environment.
• Receive mentorship from communication and behaviour change experts.

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Development Studies, or related field.
• Recent graduate (within the last two years). Some exposure to WASH or Public fields is a plus.
• Basic knowledge of development communication, social media management, and photography/videography.

Additional Technical  Skills:

• Good writing, editing, and translation skills (English and Local language of the project implementation area preferred).
• Strong computer skills, including MS Office and basic graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Express).
• Motivated to learn and contribute to communication in development projects.
• Familiarity with blogging and active engagement on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
• A proactive and enthusiastic attitude, with the ability to work well in a team environment.
• High attention to detail, especially in writing and editing.
• Good organizational and time management skills; able to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Willingness to learn, adaptable, and dependable with a strong sense of responsibility.
• Comfortable working in a diverse and inclusive team setting.
• Willingness to travel in the project Weredas.

Additional Information

Contract Type: Internship

Expected start date: January 1, 2026.

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Contract Duration: For one year with the possibility of extension.

How to Apply
If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV and a letter of motivation before/on the 24th of November 2025. Please submit your application only via Smart Recruiters. All information will be in the strictest confidence. 
If we see that your experience and skills match the requirements of the position, we will contact you to advise you of the next steps in the recruitment process.

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Working at SNV  
SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from and contribute to, an internal and global network of experts.

Vetting
SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for International determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment), the “Statement of Conduct". This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.  

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

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