Network Engagement & Community Support Intern

About Local Works Global (LWG)

Local Works Global believes that the people closest to a challenge understand it best, and that they should be the ones who decide how to solve it. We work to move the world’s development capital and decision-making power toward them. To make that real, we work in three ways:

We reimagine the system, rethinking what comes after traditional aid.

We put new ideas to practice, testing new ways to move money (including private capital) and decision-making power to local organizations.

And we help funders make the shift, advising donors who want to fund differently.

Our work started at USAID, where we spent more than a decade shifting power and strengthening community leadership in development. That experience lives on through the global network that grew from it: more than 320 locally led development practitioners and 400 trusted community partners across 64 countries. LWG is currently 100% volunteer-run and pre-revenue. Learn more at localworksglobal.org.

Strong networks are essential to advancing locally led development. By connecting practitioners across countries and sectors, facilitating peer learning, and amplifying collective voices, LWG nurtures a vibrant community committed to transforming the way international development is practiced.

Role Overview

This internship is ideal for graduate students, upper-level undergraduates, or recent graduates who are passionate about locally led development, collaboration, and community building. This is a founding-stage role. You will be part of the core team, which includes former senior USAID staff, help grow and coordinate the network, and take real ownership of work that strengthens a global community of practitioners. Because LWG is pre-revenue, this role is unpaid. What we offer instead is proximity, responsibility, and a front-row view of building something new. LWG is a small, collaborative team, and the intern will work alongside staff and other interns whose responsibilities overlap and complement this role.

Key Responsibilities

1. Network Coordination & Community Support (Primary Focus)

• Support the growth, coordination, and ongoing engagement of LWG’s global network, including future expansion to former partners, Majority and Minority World allies, donors, and other practitioners.
• Respond to routine member inquiries and connect individuals with relevant resources, opportunities, and other members.
• Help maintain accurate membership records, contact databases, and engagement tracking systems.
• Support the planning and coordination of virtual meetings, webinars, workshops, and networking events for a global audience (including agendas, logistics, notes, and action items).
• Survey network members to gather ideas, priorities, and feedback that strengthen engagement.

2. Communications & Knowledge Sharing

• Support regular communication with network members through email, ad-hoc announcements, and a monthly newsletter highlighting member achievements, funding announcements, and events.
• Foster connections among network members by encouraging collaboration and peer-to-peer learning.
• Help organize and share resources, tools, and practices that support learning across the network.

3. Policy Engagement

• Support the coordination of collective feedback processes that inform LWG’s policy advocacy and thought leadership.
• Gather and organize input from network members on policy papers, consultation processes, and global discussions related to locally led development.
• Assist in synthesizing community perspectives into summaries or briefing materials for LWG leadership.
• Support engagement with discussions involving aid organizations, philanthropic foundations, research institutions, think tanks, and other development stakeholders.

4. Funding Opportunity Coordination (as possible)

• Research and identify funding, fellowship, training, and professional development opportunities relevant to network members.
• Share funding announcements and other opportunities through appropriate communication channels.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Passion and commitment to equality, equity, and community empowerment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and varying levels of English-language proficiency.
• Experience preparing meeting agendas, documenting discussions, and producing clear meeting summaries.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, and virtual meeting platforms; familiarity with AI productivity tools is an asset.
• Professionalism, discretion, and respect for diverse perspectives.
• Must be a self-starter who is comfortable working independently while receiving regular guidance, mentorship, and feedback from the Local Works Global team.

What You Will Gain

• Hands-on experience supporting a global network dedicated to advancing locally led development.
• Dedicated mentorship from an experienced professional in your area of interest.
• Practical experience in community organizing, network coordination, and stakeholder engagement.
• Exposure to policy advocacy, donor engagement, partnership development, and organizational learning.
• A certificate of completion of the LWG internship program and a letter of recommendation upon successful completion.