Freedom in Speech

Written by Immah REID Thursday, 28 June 2012 11:22

UHAI – the East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative is a grant making initiative which aims to  provide flexible, accessible resources to support civil society activism around issues of sexuality, health and human rights in the East African region (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda). UHAI – EASHRI actively supports sexual minorities' organizing in the region by providing flexible and  accessible resources to these organisations. Through our work, UHAI envisions strengthened individuals, organisations and networks of sexual minorities in the region.

UHAI – EASHRI is currently offering an internship opportunity for an LGBTI and/or Sex Worker identified health and rights activist from the region who will be based in our Nairobi Office. A modest stipend to help cover transportation and meal costs will be provided in the course of the internship, as well as reimbursement for relocation and transport costs incurred by road for any successful candidate of an East African country other than Kenya.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The intern reports to the UHAI Programme Officer and Grants Administrator and supports the work of  UHAI – EASHRI as required. The intern will have opportunities to provide critical administrative and logistical support to the programme as well as contributing to the programmatic work of the Initiative.

Some of the duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
 Providing logistical support to organise planning meetings and convenings on sexual minority health and rights issues;
 Assist in the Seventh cycle of the UHAI Peer Grants Process;
 Research and writing on sexual rights issues;
 Monitoring of emerging LGBTI and sex worker health and rights activism and issues;  Assisting with the preparation of UHAI – EASHRI documents, reports and publications;
 Correspondence with potential grantees, partners and advisors;
 Completing due diligence research on potential grantees;
 Data entry and database management;
 Assisting with grant making activity reports;
 General filing and office management.

As a result of the internship, we hope that the individual will:
 Acquire first-hand knowledge and skills of running different office activities within a human rights organisation;
 Interact with and learn more about the LGBTI and sex worker issues and groups within the East African region;
 Acquire skills on report writing and documentation which is an aspect of best practices.
 Acquire more knowledge on the systems and structures of the grant making process.

Qualifications and Experience
 Qualified candidates should have strong communication skills, both oral and written; excellent organisational skills; good editing skills; attention to detail and excellent computer skills;
 Experience with sexual health and rights activism in East Africa is required;
 Familiarity with international/regional issues is preferred, as is a demonstrable interest in social justice issues;
 Second language ability is an advantage – especially French;
 Sensitivity, flexibility, tolerance, a sense of humour, and ability to work both independently and as part of a team are important personal qualities.

Suitably qualified applications should send completed application form and curriculum vitae (CV) to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Tuesday July 10th 2012.

Only successful applications will be contacted. Interviews will likely be contacted by telephone and therefore the applicant should provide a telephone number through which they may be reached.