Sawiris Foundation Internship Program 2026

Introduction

Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD) welcomes talented and motivated individuals to join the internship program, designed to advance your career and allow you to contribute to SFSD’s mission.

As an equal-opportunity employer, Sawiris Foundation is committed to achieving a diverse workforce by applying affirmative action, equal opportunity, and non- discrimination in all aspects of employment and internships, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, benefits, and training.

About Sawiris Foundation for Social Development (SFSD)

SFSD is one of the first donor foundations in Egypt. It was established by the Sawiris family to philanthropically support innovative solutions that target comprehensive and sustainable development in Egypt. Over the last 23 years, SFSD has addressed the most pressing issues facing marginalized Egyptians, such as poverty, unemployment, and limited access to quality education, by funding the delivery of developmental programs in partnership with government, private sectors, as well as civil society, in 24 Egyptian governorates, with a focus on the most remote villages and in-need communities.

At Sawiris Foundation, we believe in moving beyond traditional charity to embrace a data-driven approach to philanthropy. We recognize that good intentions alone are not enough; impactful philanthropy requires calculated decisions and strategic investments to ensure the best allocation of resources.

Our altruistic philosophy is guided by science and evidence-based practices, enabling us to continually improve towards “doing good better.” To maximize our impact, we invest in rigorous evaluations, robust monitoring systems, and collaborative learning.

Internship Program

The main goal is to provide the interns with a quality learning experience. In turn, the interns will lend their expertise from various fields to our mission.

The internship program is available across the following sectors:

• • Education & Scholarships Sector
  • Economic Empowerment Sector
  • Learning & Strategy Sector

Education & Scholarships Sector

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain hands-on experience in program management processes within the Education & Scholarships Sector.
• Develop knowledge of program monitoring and reporting, including tracking beneficiaries, reviewing progress, and supporting reporting requirements.
• Build organizational and administrative skills by supporting the sector’s day-to-day operations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Interest in the education and scholarship sector.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.

Economic Empowerment Sector - Micro and Small Enterprises Program

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the lifecycle of economic empowerment programs and how they are designed and implemented.
• Learn about different economic development models, including microfinance, vocational training, and entrepreneurship support.
• Develop research skills related to economic trends, market dynamics, and development challenges.
• Gain experience in project documentation and program management processes.
• Develop communication and interpersonal skills while working with program teams and stakeholders.
• Strengthen organizational and time-management skills by supporting day-to-day program activities.
• Understand the role of administrative and operational support in effective program delivery.
• Gain experience working within a diverse and multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates in their final year of academic study are preferred.
• Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply.
• Academic background in Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Business, or Social Sciences
• Interest in economic empowerment, entrepreneurship development, and micro and small enterprises

Economic Empowerment Sector - Training for Employment Program

Learning Outcomes:

• Development-sector competencies, with exposure to program implementation within the economic empowerment field.
• Practical understanding of program management and program design in employment and skills development initiatives.
• Knowledge of labor market trends, dynamics, and analysis, particularly in relation to youth employment and workforce development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Currently studying or recently graduated in Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Strong interest in labor market development, youth employment, and women’s economic empowerment.
• Basic understanding of Training for Employment (T&E) programs or skills development initiatives.
• Familiarity with data analysis and reporting, including Excel and basic research skills.
• Good written and verbal communication skills in English and Arabic.

Learning & Strategy Sector – Evaluation Unit

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain practical experience in impact evaluation frameworks for social development projects using different evaluation methodologies.
• Develop skills in data collection tools and techniques used in monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Participate in the review and updating of the evaluation manual, contributing to improving internal evaluation practices.
• Gain exposure to evidence-based decision-making and evaluation practices within development programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic background in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Strong interest in the development sector, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Previous volunteer work, internship, or research experience in NGOs or development programs is considered an advantage.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).
• Basic knowledge of data analysis tools such as Excel, SPSS, or Stata.

Learning & Strategy Sector – Monitoring Unit

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain practical exposure to monitoring frameworks and tools used to track the progress of social development programs.
• Develop hands-on experience in data collection, verification, and basic analysis within monitoring processes.
• Support the tracking of program performance through indicators and reporting templates, ensuring alignment with planned outputs.
• Build skills in data management and visualization, including organizing datasets and presenting insights using Excel or similar tools.
• Contribute to the preparation of monitoring reports and dashboards, supporting evidence-based program tracking.
• Strengthen time management and coordination skills through involvement in ongoing monitoring activities and deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic background in Economics, Statistics, Business Administration, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Strong interest in the development sector, monitoring, and program performance tracking.
• Previous internship, volunteering, or academic project experience in NGOs or development-related fields is an advantage.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).
• Working knowledge of Excel or Google Sheets; familiarity with data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, Power BI) is a plus.

Learning & Strategy Sector – Learning & Innovation Unit

Learning Outcomes:

• Gain exposure to Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) concepts and Theory of Change frameworks.
• Develop basic understanding of program design processes, including concept notes and planning tools.
• Gain awareness of impact evaluation approaches used in development programs.
• Support the communication of insights through knowledge products, including blogs and summaries.
• Participate in drafting content for internal and external communication channels (e.g., blogs, social media).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic background in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, or a related field.
• Strong interest in the development sector, learning, and knowledge management.
• Previous internship, volunteering, or academic experience in NGOs or research is an advantage.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic (written and spoken).
• Interest in content writing and communication is a plus.

Application Procedure

• Applicants must complete the online application form
• Only shortlisted candidates will be
  contacted.
• An internship selection panel, modelled on the competency-based interview selection panel, will be formed to shortlist and select suitable interns.
• Upon completion of the internship, the supervisor will have to provide the intern with a testimonial letter specifying that the intern has completed the internship program and indicating the skills and experiences that the graduate was exposed to.
• The interns will receive an anonymous survey to evaluate his/her internship experience.

Duration

The internship will provide excellent exercise and exposure for anyone considering a future in the development field. We request a minimum commitment of one month, 20 to 25 hours a week, up to 40 hours a week. Scheduling is flexible and could include field visits if needed.

When can I apply for an internship?

Internship start dates will be set based on your availability dates and the hiring teams’ schedules: do not forget to specify the date and duration of your availability in the application form.

Terms of Employment for SFSD Internship

As an intern, you will receive “temporary employment” status. This doesn’t include health insurance, vacation or sick pay, or paid holidays.

Your internship with the Sawiris Foundation is “at-will,” which means that either you or Sawiris Foundation may terminate it at any time, with or without cause and with or without notice.

During your employment, you may have access to trade secrets and confidential business information belonging to the Sawiris Foundation. By accepting this offer of temporary employment, you acknowledge that you must keep all of this information strictly confidential and refrain from using it for your own purposes or from disclosing it to anyone outside the Sawiris Foundation. In addition, you agree that, upon conclusion of your employment, you will immediately return to the Sawiris Foundation all of its property, equipment, and documents, including electronically stored information.

By accepting this offer, you agree that throughout your internship, you will observe all policies and practices governing the conduct of our business and employees, including our policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment.