WACSI Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) 2027: Fully Funded Opportunity for Young Africans
About
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) is launching a call for applications for its Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) 2027, a fully funded WACSI internship programme for young graduates and early-career professionals from West Africa. The programme aims to train the next generation of researchers, practitioners and development leaders through six months of practical experience within the organisation.
Established in 2008, the NGIP enables participants to develop skills in leadership, knowledge management, programme management, advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and communication, while contributing to the Institute’s activities.
Table of contents
About WACSI
WACSI is a regional non-profit organisation that works to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations in West Africa to improve their effectiveness, sustainability and contribution to development.
Through the Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP), WACSI aims to offer talented young Africans professional immersion in the Institute’s main areas of work.
Eligible countries for the WACSI internship programme
The programme is open to applicants who are nationals of the following countries:
Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana and Nigeria.
Benefits of the WACSI internship programme
The Next Generation Internship Programme 2027 is fully funded by WACSI.
Selected applicants will receive:
- Return flights from their home country;
- Furnished accommodation;
- Lunch on working days throughout the internship;
- A monthly allowance;
- Practical and professional training over six months.
Areas of the WACSI internship programme
Interns on the WACSI internship programme will be assigned to different WACSI departments according to their academic and professional background.
Capacity Development Internship under the WACSI internship programme
Duties include:
- Preparing and organising training sessions;
- Developing learning materials;
- Managing programme logistics;
- Writing reports;
- Developing project proposals and concept notes.
Knowledge Management Internship
Interns will contribute to:
- Desk research;
- Analysing issues related to civil society;
- Producing publications and reports;
- Managing the documentation resource centre;
- Preparing and implementing WACSI programmes.
Policy Influencing and Advocacy Internship
Responsibilities include:
- Researching public policy;
- Collecting and analysing data;
- Participating in advocacy workshops;
- Developing training tools;
- Providing administrative support and writing reports.
Internship at WACSI Node Nigeria
Successful applicants will participate in activities including:
- Researching public policy;
- Gathering information;
- Organising meetings and workshops;
- Data analysis and management.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Internship
Responsibilities include:
- Data collection, cleaning and analysis;
- Producing monitoring and evaluation reports;
- Documenting results and lessons learnt;
- Providing technical support for the use of digital data collection and analysis tools.
Required qualifications: a degree in statistics, data management, mathematics, data science, project management or economics.
Communications Internship
Interns will participate in:
- Creating digital content;
- Managing social media and the website;
- Preparing communications materials;
- Providing media coverage of WACSI activities;
- Promoting the Institute’s programmes and events.
Required qualifications: a degree in communication, communication for development, international relations, social psychology, marketing or graphic design.
Eligibility requirements for the WACSI internship programme
For positions in capacity building, knowledge management, advocacy or WACSI Node, applicants must hold a university degree in one of the following fields:
- International relations;
- Political science;
- Public policy;
- Law;
- Development studies;
- Communication;
- Or an equivalent discipline.
Skills sought for the WACSI internship programme
All applicants must demonstrate:
- A strong interest in civil society;
- Strong research, writing and communication skills;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools;
- Good internet research skills;
- Bilingual skills: French/English or English/Portuguese.
Additional assets
- Excellent interpersonal skills;
- Ability to work under pressure;
- Adaptability to a multicultural environment;
- Initiative and a willingness to learn.
Important information
- Preference will be given to applicants who are fully proficient in English, French or Portuguese and have a working knowledge of another language.
- Selected interns from Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Chad and Ghana will undertake their internships primarily at WACSI’s headquarters in Accra, Ghana.
- The successful applicant for the position in Nigeria will be based in Abuja and must already reside there.
- The internship runs from January to July 2027.
How to apply for the WACSI internship programme?
Applicants must submit:
- A curriculum vitae (CV);
- A cover letter.
Applications must be sent to:
The email subject line must specify the programme and the desired position, for example:
- NGIP – Knowledge Management
- NGIP – Communication
- NGIP -WACSI Node, Nigeria
The WACSI Next Generation Internship Programme 2027 offers an exceptional opportunity for young graduates from West Africa who wish to develop their professional skills in the development and civil society sector. With full funding, practical support and a multicultural environment, this programme provides a real springboard for a career in project management, communication, advocacy or monitoring and evaluation. Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications before 8 novembre 2026 to join the next cohort of the Next Generation Internship Programme 2027.
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