Programme Intern

Are you our next Programme Team Intern?

What We Offer

Join Maternity Foundation for a hands-on internship at the intersection of midwifery, maternal health, technology, programme development and international partnerships.

As part of our Regional Team covering Asia, MENA and Latin America & the Caribbean (LAC), you will gain practical experience in how an international NGO develops, funds, manages and scales programmes that strengthen midwives and contribute to better maternal and newborn health outcomes.

You will work closely with the Regional Head and portfolio managers and gain exposure to different stages of the programme cycle, from researching countries and identifying funding opportunities to developing programmes, supporting partnerships, following implementation and capturing learning.

This is a hands-on role. With guidance from the Regional Team, you will take ownership of defined tasks and mini-projects and contribute to real programme development and implementation. You will develop practical skills in research, analysis, fundraising, project management and communication, while gaining insight into how technology and evidence-based approaches can support midwives and strengthen maternal health systems.

Your Role

You will work closely with the Regional Head and portfolio managers responsible for Asia, India, MENA and LAC. Your work will combine research, analysis, programme development and practical project support.

Your responsibilities may include:

Regional programme strategy and insights

• Research maternal health and midwifery priorities, health systems and programmes in selected countries.

• Develop country profiles, stakeholder maps and other intelligence to identify opportunities for Maternity Foundation.

• Monitor relevant developments and conduct research to support country strategies, programme development and partnerships.

Fundraising and programme development

• Research and monitor funding opportunities related to maternal health, midwifery, digital health and health systems.

• Support donor intelligence, funding pipelines and the development of concept notes, proposals and programme briefs.

• Support the development of case studies, stories and other materials for partners and donors.

Programme and portfolio management

• Support project planning, implementation tracking, reporting and other programme management processes.

• Maintain project trackers, workplans and other portfolio management tools, and support analysis of project progress and deliverables.

• Prepare briefing materials and support partner meetings, donor updates and reports.

Own a project

We want you to have the opportunity to own something meaningful during your internship. Depending on your interests and the priorities of the Regional Team, you could, for example:

• Develop a country opportunity profile focusing on the midwifery workforce and maternal health priorities.

• Create a stakeholder and partner mapping for a new region/country.

• Research the digital midwifery and maternal health landscape and identify potential partners or opportunities.

• Analyse programme data and develop recommendations for improving implementation.

• Develop a practical tool or system to improve how the Regional Team manages its portfolio.

You will be encouraged to define the question, conduct the research, analyse the information and present your findings to the team.

Practicalities 

The internship is for the Spring term 2027 for a minimum of three months (starting in February). It can be pursued part-time or on a full-time basis (preferably full-time), with flexibility to accommodate academic schedules. The role is either fully remote or based in Copenhagen (HQ) with standard working hours from 9:00 to 17:00 CET and includes the option to work remotely up to two days a week or upon agreement. If you join us in Copenhagen, you must hold the right to undertake an internship in Denmark (work permit). You will have regular weekly check-ins with your supervisor to support your learning and professional development.

In your application, please indicate whether you have a particular interest in Asia, India, the Middle East and North Africa, or Latin America, or whether you would prefer to support the Regional Team across regions.

Who You Are

We are looking for a proactive person with a teamwork and ‘go-for-it’ attitude, who is willing to learn. You are required to be a Bachelor’s or Master’s student whose internship is integrated into their academic programme. Ideally, you have a background in global health, international development, clinical fields (such as midwifery or public health), or similar areas, along with a strong interest in building strategic relations, resource mobilisation and programme management for not-for-profit organisations.

As this is an unpaid position, applicants should be receiving financial support from a third party (e.g., SU/CSN/Erasmus Stipend or another student funding source).

If you are eager to gain hands-on experience in an international NGO setting and contribute to meaningful change, we encourage you to apply.

About Maternity Foundation

Maternity Foundation is an international NGO working to improve the quality of maternal and newborn health worldwide. We are a team of around 40 colleagues working across our global hubs in Ethiopia, Denmark and India. Our team brings together expertise from midwifery, maternal health, global health, technology, business and other fields. We value an entrepreneurial spirit, a can-do attitude and an informal and collaborative working environment.

Midwives are at the heart of our work. We work with partners to strengthen midwives' access to evidence-based knowledge, education, training, mentorship and ongoing professional development, helping them provide high-quality care for women and newborns. Technology is an important part of this approach. Our Safe Delivery App is a free, evidence-based digital job aid and learning tool designed primarily for midwives and other maternal and newborn health professionals. It forms part of our broader Safe Delivery Programme, which combines digital learning with training, mentorship, communities of practice and work to support integration into national health systems and professional development structures.

Our Regional Team works across Asia, MENA and Latin America & the Caribbean, collaborating with governments, midwives’ associations, health organisations, donors and local and international partners.

The work is diverse and fast-moving. We explore new opportunities, work across different health systems and contexts, and use technology and evidence to develop practical solutions that support midwives and improve maternal and newborn health.

Together, we work from a shared vision that it should not cost life to give life!