2016 Fully paid internship in Africa program at Wilson Centre

Deadline: There are two deadlines depending on the internship period you want to apply for:

October 2015

March 14 2016

This is a fully paid internship for international students who are interested in a fully paid internship hosted abroad. The Wilson Center Africa Program will enhance proper understanding of critical African policy issues within the United States in a bid to build stronger and more mutually beneficial U.S.-Africa relations. The Africa Program bases its work on four of the pillars indicated below:

• Governance and leadership
• Conflict prevention and peace-building
• Trade and investment
• Africa’s strategic relations in the world

Underlying these pillars is a cross-cutting focus on the roles of women, youth, and technology in Africa’s changing political and economic landscape.

Programmatic Internship Description

Interns will be assigned to work directly with the Africa Program Staff in support of project activities for a minimum of 20 hours per week.  Duties will include:

• Assisting with the organization and implementation of Africa Program events
• Assisting staff in managing and updating the Africa Program’s database and website
• Writing event summaries to be posted on the Africa Program website
• Researching current regional and functional issues
• Compiling, filing and mailing information
• Assisting with the preparation of publications
• Translating key documents from French to English and English to French
• Attending and reporting on Africa-related events in and around Washington
• Other administrative assignments in support of Center activities

Additional specialized projects may be assigned, depending on the intern’s demonstrated interests and experience.

All interns at the Wilson Center are also encouraged to participate in our many panel discussions, conferences, and other meetings outside of their Africa Program responsibilities.  A variety of events are regularly available in regional studies and functional issues like conflict resolution, women in conflict, environmental issues, international security issues, Congress, foresight and governance.  All interns also receive access to the Wilson Center’s substantial research resources.

This internship is paid.

Eligibility Requirements

The program is seeking current undergraduate students or recent college graduates who have a passionate interest in Africa, preferably with some academic or experiential background in the continent. He/she should have basic computer skills on a variety of software platforms. Applicants with a background in Africa, conflict resolution, international development, international relations, journalism, social media, outreach & communications, event planning, and program administration will be considered. Fluency in French is preferred. Good research skills and an enthusiastic and responsible approach to unsupervised work are strong assets. Excellent writing skills are essential.

Internship Dates

Spring internships from January – April/May
Summer internships from June – August
Fall internships from September – December

Application Deadlines

Deadline for Spring Internship Applications: last Friday of October 2015
Deadline for Summer Internship Applications: first Friday of April 2016
Deadline for Fall Internship Applications: second Friday of July 2016

Please Note: International students studying in the U.S. are eligible, but they must hold a valid F-1 or J-1 visa and appropriate work authorization. All international students must obtain written permission from their Designated School Official or Responsible Officer for visas at their university stating that they are in valid immigration status and eligible to do an internship at the Center.

Please note that the Wilson Centre will not be sponsoring travel visas for interns.  If you are an international student not studying in the U.S. on a F-1 or J-1 visa. then you will be required to go through a university or an outside organization (internship placement agency) that will sponsor your visa.

The Wilson Center is an equal opportunity employer and follows equal opportunity employment guidelines in the selection of its interns.

Application Procedure

Applicants should send a résumé and cover letter to Elizabeth Ramey, Program Associate, Africa Program, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars by email at africa@wilsoncenter.org or by fax: (202) 691-4001. Please specify your interest in the Programmatic Internship with the Africa Program and for which term you are applying. Save your files as pdfs with the file names “LastName Programmatic Internship Cover Letter” and “LastName Programmatic Internship Resume.” Applications not sent in this format will not be considered.

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