Administration and IT Intern in London

City of London, United Kingdom - SW3 1HX

Must have skills

• High analytical skills
• Highly organised
• Communication skill
• Strong attention to details

Overview

Pharo Foundation (“the Foundation”) is a pioneering, mission-driven organisation working to build a vibrant, productive, and self-reliant Africa. Founded and fully funded by Pharo Management, an emerging markets hedge fund, the Foundation represents a new model of philanthropic capitalism: a private endowment using its own capital to design, fund, and operate development programmes with private‑sector discipline and long‑term commitment.

Over the next decade, the Foundation’s ambition is to deliver lasting impact across three interdependent missions:

• Empowering the next generation through affordable, high‑quality education.
• Solving water scarcity by building and operating sustainable water infrastructure.
• Driving economic productivity by unlocking jobs, investment, and innovation through both non‑profit and for‑profit ventures.

The Foundation operates in Ethiopia, Somaliland, Kenya, and Rwanda, employing more than 750 people. It combines a not‑for‑profit engine: Pharo Development, with a for‑profit engine, Pharo Ventures, which builds and operates sustainable businesses to create jobs and advance economic self‑reliance.

Role Purpose

Pharo Foundation offers an opportunity for individuals seeking a high‑impact, execution‑focused experience at the intersection of development and investment. This is not a traditional internship. It is an opportunity to:

• Work on high‑priority strategic and operational initiatives with real organisational impact.
• Gain hands‑on exposure to decision‑making in a fast‑growing, mission‑driven organisation.
• Contribute to projects across multiple countries and sectors in complex, dynamic environments.

This Intern will operate at the centre of a growing organisation, supporting critical initiatives across geographies and functions. The role provides direct exposure to senior leadership, cross‑functional execution, and problem‑solving in complex environments.

Relationship

Role Title: Administration and IT Intern
Location: UK, London
Reports to: Director of IT

What you will do

• Analyse IT inventory and support reviews of IT assets, systems, and other technology‑related operational priorities.
• Review and synthesise historic grant data, including information stored in Salesforce, to identify key trends, insights, and gaps.
• Develop clear, concise one‑page grant summaries for website use, drawing on historic records and AI‑enabled tools to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Support the notarisation and formal processing of key organisational documents, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely coordination.
• Support cross‑functional projects that combine operational execution, data analysis, and process improvement.

What we are looking for

• Recent MBA graduates or current university students, ideally in Business, Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Technology, or a related field.
• Strong analytical capability and structured thinking, with the ability to break down complex problems and develop clear, practical insights.
• Ability to quickly understand complex systems, identify key drivers, and connect operational detail to broader organisational priorities.
• High level of professionalism, sound judgment, and exceptional attention to detail, particularly when handling sensitive information and important documents.
• Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, ambiguous, and high‑expectation environments, with the adaptability to manage shifting priorities effectively.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and high‑quality work.
• Proactive, resourceful, and willing to take ownership of workstreams from analysis through execution.

What we are offering

• A competitive monthly stipend.
• Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic organisational priorities.
• Hands‑on experience across administrative, technology, and operational functions.
• A steep learning curve with significant responsibility from the outset.
• A high‑trust environment in which interns are expected to contribute to meaningful, real‑world work.

What differentiate this internship

• Direct exposure to a philanthrocapitalist model that combines development impact with investment discipline.
• Real ownership of workstreams, with the opportunity to deliver visible and meaningful results.
• Experience spanning both social programmes and scalable businesses within a growing organisation.
• An environment where execution, adaptability, and judgement matter more than theory alone.