WACSI Next Generation Internship Programme 2027: Fully Funded Opportunity in Ghana & Nigeria

The West Africa Civil Society Internship (WACSI) has announced a call for applications for its fully funded Next Generation Internship aimed at students and graduates. This program addresses the need for structured practical capacity building for young West Africans and is open to interns from Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, and Nigeria, who wish to enhance their civic awareness and professional skills.

Application Deadline:

• 8 November 2026 (Late applications will not be considered).

Tell Me About The Program:

The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) is a 6-month professional immersion initiative designed to build capacity for young West African graduates and early-career professionals. Running from January to July 2027, the programme gives interns hands-on experience across WACSI’s core operational pillars: Capacity Development, Policy Influencing and Advocacy, Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Communications, and the WACSI Node in Nigeria.

Which Fields are Eligible:

• Capacity Development, Knowledge Management, Policy Influencing & Advocacy, and WACSI Node Nigeria: Degrees in International Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy, Law, Development Studies, Mass Communication, or related fields.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL): Degrees in Statistics, Data Management, Mathematics, Data Science and Analytics, Project Management, Economics, or related fields.
• Communications: Degrees in Mass Communication, Development Communication, International Relations, Social Psychology, Graphic Design, Marketing, or related fields.

Type:

Fully Funded Professional Internship & Leadership Development Fellowship

Who can Apply:

• Citizenship / Region: Open to young graduates and early-career professionals who are nationals of Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, and Nigeria.
• Academic Requirement: Must hold at least a first university degree in a relevant discipline.
• Core Competencies: Strong interest in civil society and non-profit organization management; excellent research, writing, and communication skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office; and bilingual skills ( fluency in English/French or English/Portuguese is a strong asset).
• Location Condition: Successful international interns (from Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Chad, and Ghana) will be based at WACSI’s main office in Accra, Ghana. The successful Nigerian intern will be based at the WACSI Node Office in Abuja, Nigeria and must already reside in Abuja (as local accommodation is not provided for the Abuja post).

How are Applicants Selected:

Applications are reviewed based on educational background alignment, relevance of skills to the chosen internship track, demonstrated interest in the civil society sector, and the clarity/quality of the submitted CV and motivation letter.

Which Countries Are Eligible:

Benin, Mali, Cameroon, Chad, Ghana, and Nigeria.

Where will the Program be Taken:

• WACSI Secretariat in Accra, Ghana (for international interns).
• WACSI Node Office in Abuja, Nigeria (for Nigerian interns).

How Many Fellows / Grantees:

Competitive regional cohort placed across six core institutional departments.

What is the Benefit of the Program:

• Travel Support: Return airfare from the home country to the placement country (for international placements in Accra).
• Accommodation: Furnished housing provided for international interns based in Accra.
• Stipend & Meals: A monthly living allowance alongside working-day lunches provided for the duration of the internship.
• Professional Immersion: Six months of hands-on mentoring, training, and career capacity building in the non-profit sector.

How Long Will it Last:

6 Months (January to July 2027). (Note: Interns who are unable to complete the full six-month term are required to refund the total cost of the internship package to WACSI).

How to Apply:

1. Review the specific Terms of Reference (TOR) for your preferred internship track (Capacity Development, Knowledge Management, Policy Advocacy, MEL, Communications, or WACSI Node Nigeria).
2. Prepare your application documents:
   • Up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV).
   • Tailored Motivation Letter highlighting your background and interest in civil society.
3. Submit your application via email to [email protected].
4. Ensure your email subject line clearly states the target role following the required format (e.g., NGIP – Knowledge Management or NGIP – WACSI Node).
5. Complete your submission before the deadline on 8 November 2026.

Visit the Application Webpage for Details