IT & Development Assistant
International Transformation Foundation (ITF)
Quick Take
Manage ITF's entire ICT infrastructure—from fixing staff laptops and designing newsletters to building custom applications and training volunteers on tech tools.
Active IT/CS student (2nd year+), hands-on hardware/software troubleshooting, and ability to design simple web or desktop applications.
High-impact mission-driven role with direct influence on a youth-focused nonprofit's operations, significant skill-building, and portfolio development—but no financial compensation.
Job Description
The International Transformation Foundation (ITF) is seeking a passionate and tech-savvy IT & Development Assistant to join its Nairobi-based team. ITF is a youth-led non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young people through leadership, entrepreneurship, and self-development programs. This role is central to strengthening the organization's technological backbone and ensuring its digital tools and systems are efficient, current, and aligned with its mission.
As the IT & Development Assistant, you will take ownership of ITF's ICT infrastructure — from designing digital publications and managing internal systems, to developing applications and providing hands-on technical support to staff and volunteers. This is an exceptional opportunity for a young, driven individual looking to apply their technical skills in a meaningful, mission-driven environment. Please note: this is a full-time volunteer position with no financial compensation.
- Design and produce the organization's digital publications, newsletters, and communication materials.
- Provide first-line help desk support to staff and volunteers, resolving hardware and software issues promptly.
- Conduct regular hardware maintenance to ensure all equipment remains in optimal working condition.
- Design and develop custom system applications for internal organizational use.
- Manage and maintain ITF's information systems and communications network.
- Develop and implement strategic ICT plans that support organizational growth and operational efficiency.
- Monitor emerging ICT trends relevant to nonprofits and youth development, and recommend adoption where appropriate.
- Support cross-departmental teams with technology-driven problem-solving initiatives.
- Facilitate basic ICT training sessions for staff and volunteers as needed.
- Currently enrolled as at least a second-year student in a university or college pursuing a degree or diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related ICT field.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic to intermediate hardware and software issues independently.
- Proven capacity to design and develop simple web or desktop applications for organizational use.
- Ability to manage and maintain LAN/WAN networks and organizational communication systems.
- Experience or strong aptitude in graphic design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite) for producing digital content.
- Strong organizational and time management skills — able to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical staff and volunteers.
- Demonstrated willingness to learn, take initiative, and work with minimal supervision.
- Ability to facilitate training sessions and build ICT capacity among colleagues.
This is a full-time volunteer role. ITF does not provide any monetary compensation, stipend, or salary. Volunteers are responsible for their own accommodation and daily commuting costs. ITF covers direct operational expenses only, including transport to official meetings, field visits, and sanctioned organizational activities. In return, volunteers gain hands-on experience in nonprofit ICT management, mentorship, a professional reference, and the opportunity to build a meaningful portfolio in the development sector.
Ideal candidate: You are a young Kenyan aged 18–30, currently pursuing an ICT-related course, and you are genuinely passionate about using technology to drive social change. You are self-motivated, eager to learn, and committed to giving at least one full year of dedicated service to a youth-focused cause. You thrive in collaborative environments but can work independently when required.
Do NOT apply if: You are seeking a paid position or a short-term internship. This role requires a minimum one-year full-time commitment, and candidates unwilling or unable to meet this requirement will not be considered. Candidates outside the 18–30 age bracket are also not eligible for this role.
- Prepare an updated CV highlighting your ICT skills, relevant coursework, and any prior volunteer or project experience.
- Write a brief cover letter (one page maximum) explaining your motivation for joining ITF and how your skills align with this role.
- Submit your application through ITF's official recruitment channel or the job platform where this posting is listed.
- Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. No deadline has been specified — apply as soon as possible to be considered.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Currently enrolled as at least 2nd-year student in IT, Computer Science, or related ICT field
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot hardware and software issues independently
- Proven capacity to design and develop simple web or desktop applications
- Experience or strong aptitude with graphic design tools (Canva, Adobe Suite)
- Strong time management, organizational skills, and ability to work with minimal supervision
Nice to Have
- Experience managing LAN/WAN networks or organizational communication systems
- Ability to facilitate ICT training sessions to non-technical audiences
- Familiarity with nonprofit sector technology needs
- Experience in digital publication or newsletter design
Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →
Salary Context
No salary specified—this is an unpaid full-time volunteer position.
While full-time unpaid roles are uncommon in the Kenyan IT market, entry-level IT & Development Assistant positions typically pay 60,000–100,000 KES monthly. This role offers zero financial compensation, making it suitable only for students with external financial support seeking portfolio-building and nonprofit sector experience.
About International Transformation Foundation (ITF)
International Transformation Foundation (ITF) is a youth-led nonprofit organization based in Nairobi dedicated to empowering young people through leadership, entrepreneurship, and self-development programs. As a mission-driven organization, ITF seeks to build digital capacity and strengthen its technological infrastructure to support its youth-focused impact work across Kenya. Joining ITF offers the chance to directly shape a nonprofit's digital strategy while contributing to youth empowerment in East Africa.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Tell us about a time you identified a hardware or software issue, diagnosed it independently, and resolved it—walk us through your troubleshooting process.
- 2
Describe a web or desktop application you've designed or developed. What problem did it solve, and what tools did you use?
- 3
ITF is a small nonprofit with limited IT resources. How would you prioritize competing demands from multiple departments when you can only tackle one issue at a time?
- 4
How do you explain technical concepts to non-technical staff, and can you give an example of a time you've done this successfully?
- 5
Why are you interested in an unpaid full-time volunteer role, and how will this position support your career and academic goals in IT?
Application Tips
Lead with concrete technical projects in your portfolio: include screenshots or demos of any applications you've built, websites designed, or publications created—make your work visible.
Emphasize your experience troubleshooting real hardware and software issues, not just theoretical knowledge from coursework; include specific examples of problems you've solved independently.
Highlight any experience supporting non-technical users, facilitating training, or working in team environments with minimal oversight—nonprofits value self-starters who communicate well across skill levels.
Clearly articulate why you're choosing an unpaid role: frame it around skill-building, nonprofit mission alignment, or portfolio development for your IT career, not financial desperation.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Rare opportunity to own an entire ICT function at a mission-driven organization—direct influence on strategy and immediate visibility of impact.
- Excellent portfolio-building role: you'll have real applications, infrastructure projects, and digital publications to showcase to future employers.
- Youth-led nonprofit culture typically offers mentorship, collaborative learning, and exposure to nonprofit leadership and innovation.
- Clear, detailed job description shows ITF has thought through the role and what they need—suggesting a serious, well-organized organization.
Watch Out
- Full-time volunteer with zero compensation is unsustainable for most job seekers and raises questions about organizational capacity and commitment to fair labor practices.
- Extensive responsibilities (app development, network management, graphic design, training facilitation) for an 'Assistant' role suggest potential scope creep and overwork without commensurate support or pay.
- Role requires advanced skills (LAN/WAN management, custom app development) yet targets students—consider whether you'll receive mentorship and realistic deadlines, or be left to figure it out alone.
A Day in the Life
Monday starts with a helpdesk queue: you troubleshoot a volunteer's laptop connectivity issue, then jump into a design sprint for ITF's monthly newsletter. By Wednesday, you're in a cross-departmental meeting recommending a cloud storage solution, and you spend the afternoon prototyping a simple staff attendance tracker application. Friday is reserved for facilitating a basic cybersecurity training session for new volunteers and planning next week's hardware maintenance. Throughout the week, you're context-switching between technical problem-solving, creative design, and mentoring—all in a lean nonprofit environment where your work directly enables programs reaching hundreds of young people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be an IT & Development Assistant at International Transformation Foundation (ITF)?
You must be a currently enrolled 2nd-year or higher student in IT, Computer Science, or a related ICT field, with demonstrated ability to troubleshoot hardware/software issues and design simple applications. Graphic design experience (Canva, Adobe Suite) and strong organizational skills are essential.
Is the IT & Development Assistant role at International Transformation Foundation (ITF) remote?
No, this is a full-time position based in Nairobi. The role requires on-site presence to provide hands-on hardware support, facilitate training, and collaborate with staff and volunteers across the organization.
How much does an IT & Development Assistant earn at International Transformation Foundation (ITF)?
This is an unpaid full-time volunteer position with no salary, stipend, or monetary compensation. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation and living costs. This role is suitable only for students with external financial support seeking portfolio-building and nonprofit sector experience.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
While unpaid, this role builds strong technical and leadership credentials. You'll develop hands-on experience in app development, network management, and nonprofit technology strategy—positioning you for roles like Junior IT Administrator, Full-Stack Developer, IT Manager at nonprofits, or Solutions Architect in the development sector. The visibility and impact in a mission-driven environment also strengthens your professional network.
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