At a Glance
- Tasks: Support advocacy activities and collaborate with various stakeholders in the humanitarian sector.
- Company: Join HALO Trust, the world's leading charity in mine action and humanitarian efforts.
- Benefits: Paid internship, flexible working, and invaluable experience in international humanitarian systems.
- Other info: Remote work option with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global lives while gaining essential skills for your future career.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for non-profit work.
Contract: Full-time – Temporary for six months
Responsible to: Policy and Advocacy Manager (UK)
Salary: National minimum wage (The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age)
Location: Remote, with occasional requirement for travel to London and Scotland for meetings and international travel when needed
About HALO:
Description
The HALO Trust is the world\'s largest and oldest international humanitarian mine action charity. Our mission is to save lives and restore livelihoods for those affected by conflict. HALO is known for its work to clear landmines and the disposal of other explosive hazards such as bombs, rockets, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). HALO was established in Afghanistan in 1988 and now employs over 9,500 staff across 28 countries and territories.
We are seeking to fill a paid internship position with an enthusiastic and proactive recent graduate or student able to provide support in delivering advocacy activities in the UK. Reporting to the Policy and Advocacy Manager (UK), the successful candidate will work with internal and external stakeholders, gaining invaluable experience to prepare them for their future career. The role would last for approximately 6 months, on a full-time basis should the candidate meet expectations.
This position can be remote or option to be located at either of our offices in Wilton (near Salisbury) or Thornhill, Dumfriesshire, Scotland.
About the Role
The role will provide you with the opportunity to work with a broad range of departments within the HALO Trust, and a variety of external stakeholders including parliamentarians, their staffers, government officials, and other NGO organisation\'s policy and advocacy focal points.
- Assisting with administration related to HALO\'s UK policy and advocacy functions.
- Administrative support to assist with HALO\'s partnership with the Eleanor Crook Foundation and associated advocacy activities.
- Support with the planning and delivery of events in the UK.
- File management and due diligence support to HALO\'s Global Policy and Advocacy Team.
- Support in designing and sharing an internal monthly newsletter.
- Working directly with HALO Programmes to develop country-specific briefings that can be used for external audiences.
- Supporting with research and policy development on conflict and malnutrition.
Requirements
Applicants should possess a positive attitude and be highly organized, flexible, self-motivated, and detail-orientated, with a strong interest in the non-profit and international development/humanitarian sector. We are looking for the following:
- Strong attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communications skills
- Be highly organised and self-motivated
- Ability to take initiative
- Exceptional work ethic
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
- A keen understanding of a variety of writing styles appropriate for communicating to different stakeholders, busy HALO staff, and the public.
Desirable:
- Experience working in political environments or roles
- Prior knowledge of the development sector
- Understanding of policy areas related to conflict and malnutrition
Benefits
- Paid hourly salary at the minimum wage for your age band.
- Flexible working policy.
- Valuable insight provided into international humanitarian systems and working in the non-profit sector, giving you vital experience preparing you for your future career.
- Opportunity to gain invaluable experience working on policy and advocacy for a INGO based in the UK.
- Opportunity to conduct direct and meaningful work that will impact the HALO\'s ability to make a difference in the lives of families across the globe.
Please submit a CV (no more than 2 pages) and a cover letter (no more than 1 page) outlining how your
experience matches the key skills and competencies required by Wednesday 22nd October 2025.
We reserve the right to amend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.
The HALO Trust is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
The HALO Trust is committed to a culture that is both diverse and inclusive and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
The HALO Trust is committed to ensuring that it provides a safe and trusted environment which safeguards and promotes the welfare and wellbeing of anyone who comes into contact with, or is part of, the Charity, with a zero-tolerance approach to behaviours which challenge this.
Policy and Advocacy Intern employer: The HALO Trust
HALO Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for interns to engage in meaningful advocacy work within the humanitarian sector. With a flexible working policy and a commitment to employee growth, interns will gain invaluable experience while contributing to life-saving initiatives across the globe. The supportive and inclusive culture fosters collaboration with diverse stakeholders, ensuring that every team member's contributions are valued and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Policy and Advocacy Intern
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by The HALO Trust.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like The HALO Trust.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at The HALO Trust.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at The HALO Trust. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Policy and Advocacy Intern
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of The HALO Trust. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Policy and Advocacy Intern, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at The HALO Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of The HALO Trust. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
