U.S Operations Intern

About us:

Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. Lenders on Kiva can start with as little as $25 to support causes that matter most to them, whether that’s gender equity and support for women, refugees, climate change, small businesses, agriculture, and more. Since our founding, over two million people have invested $2 billion in real dreams and real opportunities, spanning more than 100 countries and 5 million borrowers.

As we work toward our mission, Kiva invests in building and retaining a global team of talent to add to our values-driven and digital-first culture. Our organization is supported by over 700 volunteers and 130+ full-time employees dispersed around the world, as well as within team hubs located in San Francisco, Nairobi, Bogota, and Bangkok. Kiva’s team is growing as we pursue exciting new opportunities to scale our impact and create a financially inclusive world.

Kiva's values:

Impact first - This is why we exist. This is the drumbeat we march to. Every day.

Extreme ownership - Own it; you, your relationships, your impact. Insist that others support you and hold you accountable.

Be curious and bold - Never stop learning. Question assumptions. Take Risks and dream big.

Inclusion. Equity. Diversity. - Without reservation and without caveat. In our hiring, in our workplace and in our impact in the world.

Honor and integrity - Do the most right thing in the most right way. Cherish diversity and respect each other.

Love and kindness always - Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And don't say it mean. Clarity. Courage. Kindness.

Internship Program

Since its founding, volunteerism has been an integral part of Kiva's foundation and success. As a Kiva Intern, you will contribute your passion, drive, ideas, and expertise to expanding our reach and impact while taking on immediate and significant responsibilities within your team. In addition to learning on the job, you'll partake in a variety of educational, social, and professional development workshops and events that will accelerate your professional growth while learning about Kiva and the non-profit, technology, and microfinance sectors. 

Through this volunteer internship, we hope to provide a high-caliber learning experience. With the completion of our internship program, you will take away many in-demand job skills. Additionally, all Kiva interns will gain exposure to foundational microfinance concepts and ongoing professional development tailored to your career goals. This position will also put you in contact with a wide array of employees around the world, giving you a jump start on networking opportunities.

This Kiva internship is a 6-month, part-time (24 - 32 hours per week), United States-based, remote volunteer position. 

Role overview:

Kiva U.S. is an innovative direct-to-borrower lending program. Launched in 2011, Kiva U.S. has experimented with different approaches to bring 0% capital to financially excluded entrepreneurs throughout the U.S.. With the mission to help underserved communities thrive, the Kiva U.S. program seeks to: 

• Expand access to capital to traditionally underestimated entrepreneurs including women, people of color, and the underbanked
• Lower the cost of that capital (by offering 0% interest, no fee loans)
• Enable borrowers and local technical assistance providers to connect more directly so that borrowers receive application support and plug into local resources 

Your Role:

As a Kiva U.S. Operations Intern, you will work closely with our Operations team. The U.S. Operations team is responsible for all operations supporting the U.S. program— from the borrower application to credit underwriting to fundraising support to loan disbursal to risk assessment and repayment. We maintain the tools used by the U.S. team and our partners and strive to leverage them to meet our team’s needs as well as to better support both our borrowers and partners.

This intern will be responsible for driving forward the way we support entrepreneurs during the loan origination process (from the moment they start an application for a Kiva loan until they complete their fundraising campaign on kiva.org) and manage delinquency of our borrowers.

This role calls for the intern to gain a deep understanding of the entire borrower experience, take part in the review process of loan applications, and own process improvements to our system. The intern will also assist in analysis and project-based work (in areas including but not limited to: communications, data analysis, product, partner success, strategic partnerships, impact) help us continue to develop the U.S. program and drive greater impact for small business entrepreneurs in the U.S.

At this time, we can only consider applicants with authorization to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis; unfortunately we cannot provide visa sponsorship.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Screening and approving loan applications alongside our review team.
• Supporting borrowers via text and phone calls throughout their fundraising campaign.
• Managing delinquency of borrowers and establishing action plans to work with borrowers to get them back on track.
• Piloting process and infrastructure improvements to our operations.
• Collaborating with our U.S. Partnerships colleagues to improve the Kiva U.S. partner experience.
• Taking on additional special cross-functional projects aimed at increasing the value entrepreneurs receive from Kiva.
• Collecting, synthesizing, and implementing internal and external changes based on feedback from Kiva U.S. loan applicants, borrowers, and partners alike.
• Sourcing Kiva U.S. borrower stories and supporting cross-functional Kiva U.S. impact storytelling initiatives.
• Improving training materials and resources for Capital Access Managers

Preferred qualifications:

• At least 21 years of age or older by January 21, 2025
• Able to commit to the full 6-month term
• Strong critical thinking, with an eye for detail and ownership of your work
• Enjoys problem-solving and relationship-building
• Strong written and verbal communication 
• Highly proactive and able to work independently
• Highly organized individual with an aptitude for working in a start-up environment. 
• Intermediate skills in Google Docs, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

What we offer:

Perks:

• Professional development and skills workshops
• Access to Kiva’s network of Kiva Fellowship and Internship Alumni
• Optional participation in Kiva’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and social activities such as happy hours and coffee chats  
• References are gladly given for successful participants

Kiva's Internship is a part-time volunteer position, however, to help offset some expenses, Kiva will provide a modest stipend of $800 a month (before taxes) to its volunteers. Please note that the stipend is considered taxable income and we expect interns to do their own research as to how this may affect their personal/tax implications.

The weekly time commitment for a Kiva Internship is 24 - 32 hours per week, from January 21, 2025 - June 30, 2025. Please make sure you have the availability to commit to the entire internship period before submitting an application.

A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kiva's culture.  We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!

We will only accept applications directly from candidates. Kiva will not be responsible for any recruiting agency fees, absent a formal agreement.