Evidence for Systems Change Internship at LINK

Are you ready to fight for equality? Join us in addressing the roots of inequality alongside colleagues, partner organizations, and activists in over 90 countries. Together, we can change the systems that hold us back.

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled firmly.

We also prioritize sustainability in our daily practices. That’s why we offer a variety of delicious vegetarian and vegan food options, along with oat milk coffee, so everyone can enjoy tasty, eco-friendly choices.

Diversity is at the heart of our mission! We believe that a diverse team brings fresh perspectives, so we encourage everyone interested to apply. Let’s create a welcoming environment where all voices are celebrated!

Apply and become part of Oxfam Novib!

Evidence for Systems Change intern at LINK

The Learning, Innovation and Knowledge (LINK) Unit is housed in Oxfam Novib’s Programs Department, which consists of seven goal units and two expertise units. The LINK unit’s supports, connects and collaborates with colleagues and partners to ensure that impactful multi-country programs are informed by sound research methodologies, monitoring and evidence of progress towards objectives, as well as lessons learnt on what works for our Equal, Green, Fair and Safe goals. This is achieved within and beyond the Oxfam confederation through the four LINK sub teams - Research, Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL), Innovation, and Learning and Knowledge.

LINK works together with the Knowledge for Impact Team (KIT) at Oxfam International. Under KIT’s guidance, Oxfam is slowly shifting from a project impact focus to a systems change focus, as outlined in Oxfam’s Global Strategic Framework (GSF). With this, Oxfam has joined the global conversation on assessing results for systems change.

Due to the complexity of understanding and monitoring systems change, traditional impact assessments are not well suited to speak to systems change, which requires a different approach to assessing impact. Oxfam’s ambition is to embrace approaches that demonstrate results while allowing Oxfam and partners to stay focused on learning and decolonial feminist practice. Currently Oxfam is exploring and testing two approaches to go beyond impact assessment: systematic sense-making and capturing “signs of change” to build stories of transformation. The purpose of the internship is to provide support to Oxfam in implementing its learning agenda and Oxfam’s knowledge contribution to the sector.

The intern is expected to support the team to set the stage for systematic sense-making, by working with the recently launched Knowledge and Evidence Database (KED). This serves as a critical repository of learning questions and Evidence produced by Oxfam country offices, regions, clusters, affiliates and Oxfam International (OI) offices with partners. KED supports the implementation of Oxfam’s Knowledge and Learning Framework (KLF), and since the launch of the KLF, teams are already identifying learning questions (or their learning priorities), and reflecting on a learning agenda about how to answer the questions they have. Currently the database has 120 learning questions and over 100 documents uploaded. The ambition is to have about 1,000 learning questions and over 10,000 pieces of evidence against these learning questions in the coming years.

Key tasks

The intern is expected to enhance functionality and demonstrate use of the KED, by

• Uploading Learning Questions (LQs), and evidence onto the database from pre-existing sources
• Collaborating with at least five Oxfam teams to organize their learning questions and upload their evidence documents onto the database
• Delivering infographics and statistical information on the priority areas of learning questions and evidence contained in the database
• Delivering at least one meta-analysis of the uploaded evidence against a learning question from a chosen team, and collaborate with the team in the analysis process

The intern is also expected to learn from the assignments, by

• Understanding systems change and developing frameworks to monitor systems change
• Understanding about learning agendas and how to generate targeted evidence
• Engaging with teams across Oxfam to understand knowledge management and uses of evidence

Who are we looking for?

• Currently enrolled in a graduate degree programme of a recognized institution in related fields (e.g., Global Governance, Political and Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Public Administration, Economics, International Development, International Affairs or other related field)
• Strong interest in working in the development and humanitarian field
• Demonstrable skills in analytical thinking, communication and research
• Strong organizational, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work under pressure within an international setting
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Prior experience in developing countries is an asset
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and a strong team working capacity
• Excellent knowledge of English with fluency in speaking, reading and writing. Working knowledge in Spanish or French an asset
• Passion for connecting dots, building puzzles, and solving problems
• Curiosity, can do attitude, and sense of humour

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants to the internships at Oxfam Novib must meet the following requirements:

• Be a student of 18 years or older
• Be enrolled at a Dutch educational institution (first level university degree, higher schools (HBO) or other) for the whole duration of the internship,
• This internship is formulated as work experience to develop an understanding of career objectives. Not meant to be a thesis internship
• Have the legal right to live and work in The Netherlands or be prepared to obtain the right to follow an internship as part of their study in the Dutch educational institution. A three-partite internship agreement (between Oxfam Novib, the educational institution and the student) will be signed to that effect.
• Have less than 3 years of relevant full-time work experience.
• Not having been in employment with Oxfam Novib previously.

Our offer

An intern in Oxfam Novib is offered an internship contract for the duration of the internship and a monthly allowance based on €450,- per month on a basis of a 36-hour work week, pro-rata in case of less hours.

The intern is expected to have a student OV card; however, if not applicable, a reimbursement of commuting costs will be offered.

Oxfam Novib works on hybrid basis – partly from office, partly from home. Interns are expected to be on-site in The Hague at least two days a week, with remote work flexibility.

During the internship, the intern is supervised, overarching by the [insert role of manager] and daily/weekly by a designated colleague/buddy. The period of this internship takes place between February and June 2025 (approximately a period of 5 months).

Working at Oxfam Novib

All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.

Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values, and principles, and who are committed to prevent and eliminate any type of misconduct.

We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.

We will ask the chosen candidate to provide a contact for a character reference (it could be from the university/higher educational institution or other sources)

Additional information

Do you believe that this is the internship you are looking for? Then we would love to receive your application! Please note that only applications received before the closing date Saturday 30 November 2024 and submitted via our application portal will be taken into consideration.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Jorge Chavez-Tafur, at

jorge.chavez-tafur@oxfamnovib.nl