Programme Assistant Intern – Africa and Middle East in London

Contract: 12-month fixed term contract, London

Reporting to: Regional Programme Manager

Organisation and Mission

Fondation CHANEL aims to improve the economic and social conditions of women and adolescent girls globally, supporting over 200 initiatives in 50 countries. The Fondation takes a multidimensional approach, addressing issues such as poverty, social exclusion, and climate adaptation through a gender lens.

Purpose of the Internship

This internship offers a motivated individual the opportunity to gain hands-on experience supporting Fondation CHANEL’s Africa and Middle East Team. The intern will work closely with colleagues in London, New York, Paris, and Singapore, supporting projects across Africa and the Middle East region. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who combines technical competence with accountability, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to working collaboratively.

Key Responsibilities

Reporting to the Regional Programme Manager and working closely with relevant teams, you will play an important role in supporting our grant making work and contributing to a positive experience for partner organisations. Key responsibilities are grouped across three areas.

• Grants Management Administration
  • You will support administrative processes across the full grant making life cycle, including the following:
  • Maintain accurate grant records and ensure timely updates in relevant systems
  • File grant documentation and ensure information is complete, consistent, and stored correctly
  • Support the grant decision process by coordinating papers and uploading documents for internal decision-making meetings
  • In coordination with the Regional Finance Business Partner, assist with monitoring and tracking grant agreements, contracts, and payment schedules
  • With guidance from the Regional Programme Officer, support the team’s monitoring, evaluation and learning process
  • Where needed, act as a day-to-day grant liaison, supporting timely and respectful communication with partner organisations
  • Support basic due diligence administration, including tracking required documents and coordinating follow ups, in line with internal processes
• Programme Related Administration
  • You will provide coordination and practical support that enables smooth programme delivery, including the following:
  • In collaboration with the Regional Coordinator, coordinate programme related meetings across multiple time zones
  • Arrange programme related logistics for partner meetings, including agendas and meeting materials
  • Track actions and follow ups from key meetings to support accountability and continuity
  • Support team planning processes through basic tracking, document preparation, and administrative follow through
  • In collaboration with the Regional Coordinator, support convenings, learning sessions, and partner engagement moments, including light logistics coordination where needed
  • Work collaboratively with colleagues across Finance, Communications, and Impact and Learning to support effective ways of working
• Communication and Information Management
  • You will support clear information flow and accessible, well managed programme knowledge, including the following:
  • Support the programme team with internal and external communications, including drafting and coordinating light communications and ensuring timely follow ups
  • Support internal communications updates, including drafting short updates and maintaining shared trackers and folders
  • Use digital tools to support mapping, organising, and visualising partners, initiatives, and key information
  • Maintain well organised information systems that make documents easy to find, use, and update
  • Support document quality control, including formatting, version control, and ensuring consistent naming conventions
  • Contribute to continuous improvement of filing, templates, trackers, and light process documentation

Learning and Development

The intern will have the opportunity to grow through practical experience and supportive supervision. This includes the following:

• Gain exposure to philanthropy and gender equality work across multiple regions
• Contribute to a growing organisation committed to improving the lives of women and girls globally
• Build skills in organisation, project management, stakeholder engagement, and communications
• Gain exposure to a wide range of organisations working with women and girls, including grassroots and movement actors, intermediaries, and networks

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Required qualifications and experience:

• Degree in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, International Relations, or a related field
• 1 to 3 years of experience in the non-profit or philanthropy space, in an administrative, coordination, grant making or programme support role
• Knowledge of working across French speaking or Portuguese speaking countries would be beneficial
• French or Portuguese language skills would be beneficial

Essential Skills

• Highly organised, methodical, and reliable, with strong attention to detail
• Confident managing multiple tasks, priorities, and deadlines
• Strong IT skills, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and comfort using management and communication tools
• Clear and professional written and verbal communication skills
• Discretion and good judgement when handling confidential information
• Comfortable working across cultures, time zones, and teams, with a service-oriented mindset

Behaviours and Ways of Working

• Brings curiosity, initiative, and a collaborative approach to work
• Shares and supports the values and aims of Fondation CHANEL, including a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Communicates confidently and respectfully with a range of people and perspectives
• Resourceful, proactive, and solutions focused when faced with challenges
• Demonstrates a commitment to learning, reflection, and continuous improvement
• Willingness to travel internationally (10% travel may be required)