NSSF Launches 2025 One-Year Internship for Kenyan Graduates

When National Social Security Fund unveiled its 2025 NSSF Internship ProgrammeNairobi, Kenya on April 30, 2025, the move sent ripples through the country’s job market. Gladys Ochieng, Managing Director of National Social Security Fund told reporters the one‑year internship aims to bridge the gap between graduation and sustainable employment for unemployed Kenyan youth aged 20‑34. Applications opened on May 2, 2025, closed on May 19, and attracted over 12,000 submissions, underscoring both the demand for structured work experience and the program’s alignment with the Government’s Youth Empowerment Programme.

Background of Kenya’s Youth Unemployment

Kenya’s latest labour market survey released in August 2024 showed a youth unemployment rate of 31.2 %, the highest among the East African Community. The challenge is especially acute for recent university leavers, many of whom graduate with little practical exposure. The Government of Kenya, through its Youth Empowerment Programme, has earmarked Ksh 2 billion annually to spur training and apprenticeship schemes, but implementation gaps persist.

Within this context, NSSF’s decision to host a structured internship aligns with the Ministry of Labour’s 2023‑2027 strategy to place 200,000 young professionals in meaningful roles by 2027. The Fund, which manages pension contributions for over 6 million workers, saw the internship as a way to nurture a pipeline of talent that could eventually serve within its own ranks.

Details of the 2025 NSSF Internship Programme

The programme runs for twelve months, commencing on July 1, 2025, and concluding on June 30, 2026. Interns will be stationed at the NSSF Head Office in Nairobi as well as at selected branch offices in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret, providing exposure to both corporate and field operations.

• Stipend: Ksh 30,000 per month, tax‑exempt under the internship provision.
• Rotation: Six‑month tenure in a core department (e.g., Finance, IT, Customer Relations) followed by a six‑month placement in a regional branch.
• Mentorship: Each intern paired with a senior staff member for weekly check‑ins and quarterly performance reviews.
• Certification: Upon successful completion, participants receive a Certificate of Professional Experience recognized by the Kenya Institute of Management.

According to the programme brochure, applicants must possess a first‑degree or diploma from an accredited institution, have graduated within the previous four years, and hold no formal work experience since graduation. Additionally, candidates need a recommendation letter from their alma mater and must demonstrate proficiency in ICT tools such as Microsoft Office and basic data analytics.

Eligibility and Application Process

Prospective interns submitted their applications through the NSSF website, where a 119.73 KB PDF outlining the terms was downloadable. The portal required uploading the following documents:

1. Official graduation certificate (or provisional).
2. Curriculum vitae highlighting academic achievements and extracurricular activities.
3. Reference letter from a university lecturer or department head.
4. Signed declaration of no prior employment post‑graduation.

After the May 19 deadline, the selection panel – comprising representatives from the NSSF Human Resources Division, the Ministry of Labour, and an independent youth development expert – screened applications based on academic merit, communication skills, and perceived alignment with the Fund’s values of integrity and teamwork.

The final shortlist of 120 candidates was announced on June 8, 2025, via a live webcast hosted by the NSSF Communications Unit. Among the first batch were graduates from the University of Nairobi, Moi University, and Technical University of Kenya, reflecting a geographic spread across the country.

Stakeholder Reactions

"This is a concrete step toward turning graduate degrees into employable skills," said Prof. James Mwangi, Head of the Department of Business Management at the University of Nairobi. "Our students have often complained about the theory‑practice gap, and a year‑long immersion at a national institution like NSSF could be a game‑changer."

Conversely, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) cautioned that one‑off internship schemes need to be complemented by broader private‑sector participation to truly absorb the talent pool. "We appreciate NSSF’s initiative, but the private sector must step up, otherwise we risk creating a temporary fix rather than a sustainable solution," noted Anne Wanjiku, KEPSA Policy Director.

From the interns’ perspective, the excitement was palpable. "I’ve been looking for a role where I can actually apply what I learned in my ICT diploma," said Samuel Otieno, a 23‑year‑old graduate from Technical University of Kenya. "Getting a chance to work at NSSF’s Nairobi office feels like a real foot in the door."

Potential Impact on the Labour Market

Analysts at the Institute of Economic and Development Studies (IEDS) estimate that each cohort of 120 interns could generate up to 90 permanent positions within NSSF and affiliated agencies, assuming a 75 % conversion rate. Over the next five years, the programme could therefore catalyze roughly 600 new skilled jobs in the public‑service sphere.

Moreover, the internship’s comprehensive training modules – covering pension administration, risk management, and digital transformation – are expected to raise the overall competency level of the young workforce. This could help Kenyan firms meet the 2026 digital skills target set by the Ministry of ICT, which aims for 60 % of employees to be proficient in basic data handling.

However, critics warn that the programme’s limited scale may not significantly dent the national youth unemployment figure unless replicated across other state entities. They urge the Government to institutionalize such internships, perhaps by creating a central Youth Talent Pool that allows graduates to move seamlessly between ministries and parastatals.

What’s Next for NSSF and Prospective Graduates?

As of October 2025, the application window has closed and the NSSF website lists “no current internship opportunities”. The Fund has indicated that the first batch of interns will begin onboarding in early July, with a mid‑term evaluation scheduled for December 2025. Results from that review will inform whether the programme will be expanded to 200 interns in 2026.

In the meantime, the NSSF HR team is encouraging interested graduates to register for the organization’s talent pipeline, which includes periodic workshops on pension policy, financial literacy, and leadership. "We want to keep the conversation alive," said Gladys Ochieng. "Even those who missed this round can still engage with us and be part of Kenya’s socioeconomic transformation."