About HOT
The Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) sits at the nexus of participatory mapping, community-led development, humanitarian response, open data, and tech. With a talented and diverse team spread around the globe, HOT is an NGO that supports a dynamic global community of thousands of dedicated volunteers using maps and open data for humanitarian response and the Sustainable Development Goals. Working with humanitarian and development partners like the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, UN agencies, governments, and others, the HOT community maps in solidarity with those affected by or at risk of disaster, contributing the maps and data aid workers need to do their life-saving work.
In 2020 the work of the HOT community was recognized by TED’s Audacious Project, a collaborative philanthropic initiative that serves as a springboard for social impact on a grand scale, leading to an exciting new phase of growth. HOT is expanding its activities: opening four regional hubs and scaling up its support to local mapping communities with the audacious goal of mapping an area home to one billion people in 94 countries at high risk of disasters or experiencing poverty—mapping with communities before they are in crisis.
About the Role
This internship will support HOT's Eastern & Southern Africa Hub to implement communications and branding that advance HOT's mission. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Senior Associate, Communications & Partnerships Support, the intern will assist the team in all aspects related to the implementation and rollout of the ESA Hub's communications initiatives and products, including HOT's central/global branding and communications strategies.
The intern MUST be based in an Eastern or Southern African country and have access to a reliable personal laptop and stable internet connection.
Key Responsibilities:
Content Development
- Help draft first versions of articles, newsletters, blog posts
- Contribute ideas for campaigns and storytelling initiatives
- Pull together raw material quotes and project details for success stories and case studies
- Maintain organized archives of photos, videos, and documents
- Review content for typos, inconsistencies, and brand misalignment, flagging issues before publication
Website Updates
- Liaise with project leads to collect updated project information
- Update existing website pages with new content, once provided/approved
- Check for outdated information on live pages and flag it for review
- Upload new photos, project stats, or documents to the relevant page
- Maintain a simple log of what was updated, where, and when
Social Media Posts
- Draft social media posts based on project updates and material from project leads
- Send drafts to you for review before anything goes out
- Format and schedule approved posts across platforms
- Maintain a content calendar so posts are planned, not last-minute
Analytics & Centralized Tracking
- Log reach, engagement, and performance numbers into a centralized database
- Pull numbers consistently across channels (social, website, newsletter if in scope)
- Keep the database updated on a set cadence (monthly)
- Compile newsletter distribution and list segmentation data, once content is finalized
- Compile raw numbers into a simple format for you to interpret and report on
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a bachelor's degree program in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Familiarity with social media platforms and their best practices
- Basic understanding of graphic design principles and tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite) is a plus
- Ability to multitask and manage time effectively
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Creativity and willingness to learn
Duration
This position is an internship for an initial period of 6 months, with the possibility of extension for exceptional performers.
Benefits
- Paid Internship
- Hands-on experience in a professional communications environment
- Mentorship from experienced communications professionals
- Opportunity to build a professional network
To Apply
Interested persons should submit a CV of not more than 2-pages
Kindly submit your application by CoB, Friday, August, 14th, 2026.
Early submission is encouraged, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that this vacancy may close prior to the stated deadline should the volume of applications received exceed 250.
Skills Required
- Be based in an Eastern or Southern African country
- Access to a reliable personal laptop and stable internet connection
- Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a bachelor's degree program in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Familiarity with social media platforms and their best practices
- Basic understanding of graphic design principles and tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
- Ability to multitask and manage time effectively
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Creativity and willingness to learn
What We Do
Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team is an international non-profit dedicated to improving lives through accurate and accessible geographic data. It leverages a global community of volunteers and technology enthusiasts to provide map data that revolutionizes disaster management and reduces risks, with a mission to increase resilience for underrepresented people in countries at high risk of disaster through open map data.
