Governance & Legal Intern

We are SNV
SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all.

Our CARE principles—Committed to Impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Differences, and Expertise in Practice—are at the heart of who we are and the work we do. These principles are embedded in our vision, mission, and strategy, which serve as our compass guiding us towards 2030.

To delve deeper into SNV's initiatives, explore our website at snv.org

We are currently looking for a Governance & Legal Intern:

• 4-6 months 
• 32-40 hours a week
• The Hague

Are you a motivated student eager to make an impact? Do you want hands-on experience in governance and legal management within the international development sector? Join SNV's Global Risk & Compliance Team as our Governance & Legal Intern in The Hague! 

Note: This internship is open to students enrolled in an accredited Dutch or European university for the duration of the internship. SNV does not sponsor a Visa.

We are seeking a highly motivated Intern to join our Global Risk & Compliance Team in The Hague. As the Governance and Legal Intern, you will have the opportunity to learn about our organization's governance, risk, and compliance environment in SNV and be part of the Global Risk and Compliance Team in The Hague. This team is responsible for maintaining and improving SNV standards and operational policy and risk frameworks, as well as steering risk, support, and monitoring on legal, tax, donor contracts, supplier procurement and contracting, project execution, country logistics, and SNV’s Carbon Reduction Strategy. You will engage in various projects and tasks, honing your attention to detail, organizational abilities, and customer service skills. Specifically, you will assist with the development and maintenance of governance, legal, tax, and compliance documents, as well as contribute to team workflows and data/content management.  

This internship offers a unique chance to: 

• Gain experience in the development sector by working on real-world tasks and projects. 

• Receive mentorship from professionals in a dynamic team environment. 

• Develop skills in team building, communication, and international collaboration. 

• Contribute to impactful work that makes a difference. 

Your tasks will be tailored to align with your learning goals, providing a meaningful experience. We will offer guidance and support to help you reach your objectives. 

Tasks and activities may include: 

• Support tracking and monitoring of registrations, permits, and licenses, and relevant legal and tax documentation across the countries in which we operate. 

• Under the supervision of the Global Legal and Governance Lead, and Global Tax Advisor and Governance Support Officer, assist with legal entity management and selected contract reviews. 

• Support the coordination and management of SNV’s relationships with external tax, legal, and notarial service providers. 

• Support the update to SNV’s Authorities Matrices and other internal compliance requirements as required, under the supervision of the Global Risk and Compliance Team. 

• Organize and maintain databases, documents, and digital resources. 

We are looking for a motivated student who is:  

• Enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program at an accredited Dutch or European university in a field such as Law, Finance, Business, Economics, or Risk Management. 

• Eager to learn and contribute to a team-oriented environment. 

• Proficient in English, with strong written and verbal communication skills. 

• Highly organized, with a keen attention to detail. 

• Comfortable working with large datasets in Microsoft Excel; advanced Excel skills are a plus. 

• Analytical, with strong problem-solving skills. 

• Available for minimum of 4 months and preferably 6 months, between 32-40 hours per week. 

• Flexible starting date with a preference for April 2026. 

Our offer to you 
SNV offers a hands-on, dynamic internship experience with a dedicated team at our head office in The Hague. To ensure a valuable learning experience, we ask interns to work from the office in The Hague for at least 75 % of the time. Additional details include: 

• Internship allowance: €500 gross per month (for a 40-hour workweek), plus reimbursement for public transport costs (if applicable). 

• International experience, working alongside colleagues from around the world. 

• A diverse, stimulating environment with opportunities to innovate and co-create. 

How to Apply 

We encourage enthusiastic students to apply! Submit your CV and motivation letter including the below information (in English) by the 11th of March 2026. 

To help us better understand your candidacy, please confirm the following: 

• This internship is open to students currently enrolled in a recognised higher education institution for the full duration of the internship. This should be a degree course or study. We will require a proof of enrolment. 

• The internship must be clearly relevant to the student’s field of study and SNV may request a short-written confirmation from the student or university if necessary. 

• The university must facilitate the internship and a university supervisor or mentor must be identified, with full name and contact details shared with SNV. 

• The intern must have legal right to reside in the Netherlands for the full period of the internship, but the University can be a European based university (SNV does not sponsor visas or permits for interns) 
   
  Internship goals: 

• Is this internship a requirement for your studies? 

• What are your expected internship duration and your available hours per week? 

• What are your learning objectives for this internship? 
  We value candidates who can share their goals and how this internship aligns with their academic journey. Answering these questions will help us assess if you're a good fit for this internship. Prior to starting this internship within SNV, clear learning goals must be defined. 

Working at SNV 
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority.

We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote (international) career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with external backgrounds and experience. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose.

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

At SNV, inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, and more.

Reference & vetting check
At SNV, our belief in the CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice — shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all.

As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all internationally determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of [two] referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for.

In line with our safeguarding commitments — and as a proud participant in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will also request a “Statement of Conduct” from your previous employer(s). This request covers any substantiated findings of misconduct, including sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, as defined by the Scheme. This process is not only a safeguard for our organisation, but also part of our shared responsibility to protect those we work with and to ensure that integrity, respect, and compassion remain at the heart of everything we do.