Current vacancies:
No vacancies at present, but please check back for summer opportunities from the DofE. To be sure of not missing out, like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter for updates.
About DofE internships
As a Charity the DofE is committed to promoting opportunities for young people to develop skills and gain experience. We use this belief to offer an ongoing voluntary internship programme based at the DofE Head Office in Windsor.
The programme is aimed at high calibre people, who are ideally Award holders and are looking to gain experience of working in the Charity sector. The standard length of a placement is three months and recruitment takes place throughout the year with opportunities available in a number of different Head Office teams.
The primary aim of the programme is to develop the skills and experience of DofE volunteer interns through a high value, project-led placement. We give our interns ownership of a clearly defined project with associated skills training to help them become more employable. Through this we hope to bring different perspectives and experiences into our Head Office.
What is involved and how will a DofE internship benefit me?
Interns tend to be recruited for a specific period of time, usually three months. We usually expect interns to volunteer for four days per week.
All of our internships are advertised as a specific role. The majority of our internships are unique one-off segments of work experience. All DofE Interns are formally recruited and managed.
Interns will benefit from:
- Experience in a well respected, UK wide charity and operational/marketing team.
- Effective management and the opportunity to identify and develop workplace skills such as time management, prioritising, presenting, writing and research, IT and working with our partner organisations.
- Real projects with ownership and responsibilities and the opportunity to work within a lively team who will support their development.
- Scope to get involved with other projects to further develop experience and skills.
- Support towards an employment post placement with mock interviews, support in CV updating and written references.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) internship programme began in 2008, with interns working in our Fundraising department. In spring 2009 it began in the UK Services department as a key part of our commitments to supporting the personal development.
Have a look at these case studies of some of our previous interns to see what an internship is like with the DofE.
Download more information about our internship porgramme (pdf).
When does the DofE recruit for interns?
The DofE recruits for interns throughout the year. Recruitment for specific positions generally takes place one month to six weeks before the advertised start date.
Where are your internships based?
DofE internships take place in our Head Office in Windsor: Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1EU.
Does the DofE offer financial support for voluntary internships?
The DofE cannot provide any financial support for interns. If we did you would not be classed as a volunteer in legal terms. However, we strive to offer:
- Reimbursement of reasonable local travel expenses to and from the Head Office where you are volunteering, work time travel expenses as required and £5 a day for lunch.
- Flexible volunteering hours and days, so you can keep to your other commitments. Many of our interns work part time at evenings and weekends to cover their costs so might work Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4pm.
The DofE cannot cover accommodation costs, flights, general living expenses or the expenses of any dependants.
Will completing an internship lead to a job with the DofE?
Doing an internship will not guarantee you a job with the DofE.
Our internships are designed to offer work experience on one-off projects or development. However, interns can apply to our paid vacancies.
For obvious reasons an intern would need to have proven themselves in their current role, before expecting their volunteering experience to assist in an application to a paid post.