Storytelling & Community Engagement 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.

At the foundation of this work is our experience of shifting power and increasing community leadership in development at USAID, carried out through our global network of 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.

LWG believes that authentic, human-centered storytelling is one of the most effective ways of demonstrating the value of locally led development and shaping a more trust-based international development system. By documenting and sharing stories from its global network, LWG elevates local voices, strengthens credibility, informs policy discussions, and inspires donors, practitioners, and partners to invest in community-led solutions.

Role Overview

This internship is ideal for students or recent graduates who are passionate about storytelling, communications, international development, and social impact. Storytelling is the front door to deeper engagement: it builds trust, demonstrates credibility, illustrates the impact of locally led development, and inspires audiences to support community-led solutions. This is a founding-stage role. You will be part of the core team, which includes former senior USAID staff, produce real stories for external audiences, and take genuine ownership of a growing communications function. 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 will provide guidance on ethical storytelling and do-no-harm principles before you begin community engagement. 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. Human-Centered Storytelling (Primary Focus)

• Source, develop, and share compelling stories from the Local Works Global network that demonstrate the value and impact of locally led development.
• Engage directly with network members, local organizations, and community leaders to identify meaningful stories, and conduct virtual interviews gathering quotes, photographs, and supporting materials.
• Transform complex development work into authentic, accessible, and engaging human-centered narratives while maintaining dignity, cultural sensitivity, and ethical storytelling standards.
• Demonstrate cultural humility, active listening, and respect for local knowledge throughout the storytelling process.

2. Communications & Content Development

• Draft high-quality content for LWG’s website, LinkedIn, Instagram, newsletters, blogs, and donor communications, including success stories, case studies, and feature articles.
• Adapt stories into multiple formats for diverse audiences (including foundations, individual donors, supporters, policymakers, development practitioners, and stakeholders across the Majority and Minority World).
• Collaborate with the LWG team to ensure communications are consistent, compelling, and aligned with LWG’s mission and messaging.
• Support visual storytelling through photographs, graphics, and other multimedia assets.

3. Quality Assurance & Editorial Support

• Review and edit stories to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and professionalism, verifying facts, quotations, and names before publication.
• Maintain organized records of interviews, photographs, consent documentation, and supporting materials, and content calendars tracking story development.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Passion and commitment to equality, equity, and community empowerment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English are required, with strong storytelling ability.
• Ability to identify compelling human-interest stories that reflect broader development challenges and opportunities.
• Ability to produce concise, engaging communications products.
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultural backgrounds and varying levels of English-language proficiency.
• Familiarity with major social media platforms, design, and photo/video editing tools; familiarity with AI productivity tools is an asset.
• Must be a self-starter who is comfortable working independently while receiving regular guidance, mentorship, and feedback from the Local Works Global team.
• Curiosity, creativity, adaptability, and strong ethical values.

What You Will Gain

• Hands-on experience producing professional storytelling and communications products for an international nonprofit advancing locally led development.
• Dedicated mentorship from an experienced professional in your area of interest.
• Practical experience conducting interviews, developing human-centered stories, and publishing content across platforms.
• A professional portfolio of published stories, case studies, and digital communications.
• Exposure to donor engagement, policy advocacy, and knowledge management.
• A certificate of completion and a letter of recommendation upon successful completion.