Product Design Intern

About us:

Kiva is a global nonprofit, founded in 2005, with a mission to expand financial access and help underserved communities thrive. Kiva unlocks capital for borrowers through crowdfunded loans supported by individuals around the world. Lenders on Kiva can start with as little as $25 to support causes that matter most to them, whether that’s gender equity and support for women, refugees, climate change, small businesses, agriculture, and more. Since our founding, over two million people have invested over $2 billion in real dreams and real opportunity, spanning more than 100 countries and over 5 million borrowers.

As we work toward our mission, Kiva invests in building and retaining a global team of talent to add to our values-driven and digital-first culture. Our organization is supported by over 700 volunteers and 130+ full-time employees dispersed around the world, as well as within team hubs located in San Francisco, Nairobi, Bogota, and Bangkok. Kiva’s team is growing as we pursue exciting new opportunities to scale our impact and create a financially inclusive world.

Kiva's values:

Impact first - This is why we exist. This is the drumbeat we march to. Every day.

Extreme ownership - Own it; you, your relationships, your impact. Insist that others support you and hold you accountable.

Be curious and bold - Never stop learning. Question assumptions. Take Risks and dream big.

Inclusion. Equity. Diversity. - Without reservation and without caveat. In our hiring, in our workplace and in our impact in the world.

Honor and integrity - Do the most right thing in the most right way. Cherish diversity and respect each other.

Love and kindness always - Say what you mean. Mean what you say. And don't say it mean. Clarity. Courage. Kindness.

Internship Program

Since its founding, volunteerism has been an integral part of Kiva's foundation and success. As a Kiva Intern, you will contribute your passion, drive, ideas, and expertise to expanding our reach and impact while taking on immediate and significant responsibilities within your team. In addition to learning on the job, you'll partake in a variety of educational, social, and professional development workshops and events that will accelerate your professional growth while learning about Kiva and the non-profit, technology, and microfinance sectors.

Through this volunteer internship, we’re hoping to provide a high-caliber learning experience. With the completion of our internship program, you will take away many in-demand job skills. Additionally, all Kiva interns will gain exposure to foundational microfinance concepts and ongoing professional development tailored to your career goals. This position will also put you in contact with a wide array of employees around the world, giving you a jump start on networking opportunities.

This Kiva internship is a 6-month, part-time (24- 32 hours per week), United States-based, remote volunteer position.

Placement Process

Kiva places interns within most departments of the organization. During recruitment, we evaluate your application and interests to match you to a specific team that will leverage your talents while providing you with an opportunity to develop and grow.

Although Kiva Interns range in age and experience, a common theme among our participants is a "can do" attitude as well as a desire and willingness to dive in and get their hands dirty.

Role overview:

Joining Kiva's Design Team, you'll be reporting to our Principal Product Designer. Our Product Design team has worked on experiences for some of the biggest brands in the world, including Apple, Google, HBO, and Mastercard. Your work at Kiva will enable people across the world to do good and help each other. This role requires a high level of collaboration with our Product Management and Engineering teams. We're looking for curious, thoughtful, collaborative people who want to live their values.

We're looking for a Product Design Intern with a focus on UX design, strong UX writing, and a knack for systems thinking. Each day will be super collaborative: you'll work with an international team of Kivans, designing features for millions of users, running studies with our Principal Researcher, and contributing to Kiva's design system.

At this time, we can only consider applicants with authorization to work in the United States on a permanent, full-time basis; unfortunately, we cannot provide visa sponsorship.

Key responsibilities include:

• Partner with our Principal Researcher on at least one research project, helping conduct user interviews, usability tests, and surveys, and turning what you learn into insights that shape product decisions
• Join a cross-functional team of engineers and a product manager to design and ship at least one feature tested live on Kiva.org, from early flows and wireframes through launch
• Build interactive prototypes in Figma to explore ideas, test with users, and communicate designs to your team
• Contribute to Kiva's design system by defining and shipping at least one new component or primitive alongside the system's design and engineering leads
• Share your work in weekly design critiques with the team, giving and receiving feedback and explaining your decisions to designers and non-designers alike

Preferred qualifications:

• At least 21 years of age or older by January 12, 2027
• Able to commit to the full 6-month term
• Strong UX writing skills: you can write clear, concise, brand-aligned copy
• Systems thinking: you can spot patterns and design reusable components
• Visual and interaction design: you can create polished, intuitive interfaces with a strong eye for detail
• Comfortable working on macOS
• Proficiency with standard design tools such as Figma and Adobe Creative Cloud
• AI design tools: you can use tools like Figma Make, Claude, and ChatGPT to explore and prototype ideas
• Able to keep track of projects from handoff to completion
• Proactive, able to meet deadlines, and able to explain design decisions to non-designers
• Exceptional communicator with a knack for articulating design rationale
• Thrives in an iterative process that involves listening, adapting, moving fast, talking with users, incorporating feedback, and constantly collaborating

What we offer:

• Professional development and skills workshops
• Access to Kiva’s network of Kiva Fellowship and Internship Alumni
• Optional participation in Kiva’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and social activities such as happy hours and coffee chats
• References are gladly given for successful participants

Kiva's Internship is a part-time volunteer position, however, to help offset some expenses, Kiva will provide a modest stipend of $800 a month (before taxes) to its volunteers. Please note that the stipend is considered taxable income, and we expect interns to do their own research as to how this may affect their personal/tax implications.

The weekly time commitment for a Kiva Internship is 24 - 32 hours per week, from January 12, 2027 - June 30, 2027. Please make sure you have the availability to commit for the entire internship period before submitting an application.

A diverse and inclusive workplace where we learn from each other is an integral part of Kiva's culture. We actively welcome people of different backgrounds, experiences, abilities and perspectives. We are an equal opportunity employer and a great place to work. Join us and help us achieve our mission!

We will only accept applications directly from candidates. Kiva will not be responsible for any recruiting agency fees, absent a formal agreement.