Programs & Research Assistant

Position Objective: Outreach International (OI) is seeking a curious and motivated Research Intern to support Outreach International’s Global Program Operations (GPO) team. This internship offers a meaningful opportunity to engage in substantive research across OI’s core thematic areas, contribute to evidence-informed programming, and gain hands-on experience in international development. The intern will work closely with program staff to deepen organizational knowledge and support decision-making grounded in current field research.

Reports to: Manager of Global Programs

Schedule: 10–12 hours per week. September – December 2026

Time: Minimum of three months, or a total of 120 Hours

Location: This is a hybrid internship based in Kansas City, Missouri. Applicants must be able to work on-site as required and perform all work from Kansas or Missouri during the internship.

Preferred Candidate: Graduate student currently enrolled in a relevant program.

Apply by: August 15, 2026

Primary Responsibilities & Duties:

Thematic Research

• Conduct supportive research through literature reviews, data extraction, and analysis across OI’s four thematic areas: Food Security, Health, Livelihoods, and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH).
• Review and synthesize relevant academic literature, reports, and sector publications to identify trends, evidence gaps, and promising practices
• Develop research briefs and summary memos for use by grantees and their leadership teams
• Monitor emerging topics and innovations relevant to OI’s programmatic work and geographic contexts (Latin America, Africa, and Asia).

  General Program Operations

• Support the GPO team in gathering, organizing, and synthesizing evidence to inform the implementation of the Sustainable Futures framework, our strategic initiative to increase the organizational capacity of grantee partners, as well as OI’s five-year strategic plan (Strategy 2030).
• Assist in synthesizing learning from partner reports, assessments, and evaluations
• Help identify relevant external tools, resources, and models that could strengthen OI’s partner capacity-building approach
• Review monitoring data from our international program partners via our monitoring system, Coco, and grantee-managed program monitoring logs.
• Review and, when possible, provide analytical support for other data collection efforts led by Global Program Operations
• Assist with occasional correspondence with international grantees under the guidance of OI staff.
• Attend Global Program Operations team meetings, as needed.
• Contribute to other GPO team needs as they arise

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in a graduate program in a relevant field (e.g., international development, public health, global studies, environmental science, social work, or related discipline)
• Demonstrated interest in one or more of OI’s thematic areas: Food Security, Health, Livelihoods, or WASH
• Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information clearly and concisely
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Proficiency with Google Workspace tools (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• A self-starting, flexible nature
• Proficiency in Spanish, Odia, Khmer, Nepali, Tagalog, or Chewa is highly valued
• Sensitivity in working across multiple cultures and belief systems, and commitment to gender equity

Compensation & Benefits

• Paid – competitive to similar positions in nonprofits of similar size and qualifications of the applicant. Or this role may also fulfill graduate practicum or field experience requirements – the intern is responsible for coordinating directly with their academic program.
• Hands on experience in global programming, research, and data collection
• Opportunity to develop skills by interacting with professionals in the sector
• Interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications, start date, and availability to m.gross@outreachmail.org. Applicants should also submit a writing sample that illustrates their ability to analyze and summarize information in a clear and concise manner (2–5 pages).