The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) based in Accra, Ghana established by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa to enhance the capacity of civil society organisations in the sub region in the areas of institutional building, organisational governance, training, and policy dialogue introduced a six months internship programme in 2008.The internship programme is aimed at developing the next generation of African scholars and practitioners.
The internship programme primarily targets young West Africans at the start of their professional careers seeking work experience in WACSI’s Policy Advocacy core area and capacity building in other areas such as: leadership skills, proposal and report writing, training and facilitation skills. Interns will also be exposed to research on policy advocacy issues in West Africa, civil society, governance and human rights, peace and security, Africa’s current development initiatives (NEPAD, APRM), sub‐regional trends (ECOWAS), and Gender issues.
The Policy Advocacy intern will work closely and report to the Policy Advocacy officer. The intern will help with assigned policy and advocacy research projects.
Other responsibilities may include:
- Conduct desktop research on policy and legislative issues
- Assist in gathering information and writing reports for policy meetings
- Assist in policy meetings and workshop preparation
- Assist in the development of policy advocacy training tool
- Support other administrative tasks
- Assisting with data generation, analysis and management.
Relevant Skills:
- Strong interest in public policy, advocacy and civil society
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written (French and English)
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, and strong internet research skills
- Willingness to learn with positive altitude and take initiative when appropriate
- Ability to work effectively independently, with supervision, and in a multi-cultural environment
- The ability to work as part of a team is necessary.
- Please Note:Priority will be given to BILINGUAL applicants.
- Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of a first degree with background in Social Sciences, Public Policy, Law, Arts and Humanities and must be ready to work in a multi-cultural environment.
All documents must be sent in Englishand French
- The deadline for submission of application is Sunday April 12, 2015
- The period of internship is from May 2015 to October 2015
- Successful applicant will spend a substantial part of his/her internship working at the WACSI secretariat in Accra, Ghana.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested applicants should send the following document in English and French
- Curriculum Vitae
- An application letter stating where you found the information,
- Two references (one should be an academic reference) and
- A letter of motivation expressing career goals, and how the Policy Advocacy internship will contribute to achieving those goals in a single email with subject line "Application for Policy Advocacy Intern"to: admin@wacsi.org and policyadvocacy@wacsi.org
