The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) is a regional non-governmental organisation committed to strengthening civil society organisations across West Africa. Its core mandate focuses on improving the sustainability, operational efficiency, and developmental impact of civil society actors within the region. WACSI plays a central role in advancing civic engagement, institutional capacity building, policy influence, and knowledge management. Through its programmes, the institute supports organisations and individuals working toward inclusive governance, democratic accountability, and sustainable development across West Africa. Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) The Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) was introduced in January 2008 as a structured capacity-building initiative aimed at developing young West African professionals and scholars. The programme is designed to provide practical exposure to civil society operations and development practice. The internship targets: Recent graduates Early-career professionals Young individuals with strong interest in civil society work Interns are fully integrated into WACSI’s operations for a period of six months, gaining hands-on experience in leadership development, programme management, knowledge production, and key regional development issues. Purpose of the Internship The programme is designed to: Enhance civic awareness among young West Africans Strengthen professional competencies in development practice Build the next generation of civil society leaders Provide structured exposure to regional policy and advocacy work Interns are placed within WACSI’s core functional areas: Capacity Development Policy Influencing and Advocacy Knowledge Management Eligibility Criteria Applicants must meet the following requirements: Minimum of a first degree in one of the following or related fields: International Affairs Political Science Public Policy Law Development Studies Demonstrated interest in civil society and non-profit organisation management WACSI particularly encourages applications from candidates in: Nigeria Guinea Niger Togo Programme Structure and Placement Selected interns will be assigned as follows: Candidates from Guinea, Niger, and Togo will spend a significant portion of their internship at WACSI’s main office in Accra, Ghana. The Nigerian intern will be based at the WACSI Node Office in Abuja, Nigeria. Applicants for the Nigerian placement must already be based in Abuja, as accommodation is not provided locally for that post. Internship Benefits The NGIP is a fully funded programme. WACSI provides comprehensive support to selected interns, including: Round-trip flight tickets from the intern’s home country Furnished accommodation (for eligible placements) Lunch on working days Monthly stipend for the duration of the internship Programme Duration and Conditions Internship period: July to December 2026 Duration: Six months (full-time commitment required) Important condition: Interns who fail to complete the full six-month programme will be required to refund the total cost of the internship package to WACSI. Key Responsibilities of Interns Interns will be actively engaged in multiple organisational functions, including but not limited to: Supporting the design and implementation of institutional assessment tools, training sessions, and technical support activities Participating in programme planning, proposal development, and cross-unit coordination Providing administrative support, including budget tracking and activity scheduling Assisting in the organisation of training sessions and capacity-building workshops Acting as liaison between WACSI and stakeholders such as partners, associates, and resource persons Supporting the development of training materials, including toolkits, modules, and indigenous learning resources Conducting research and producing briefings, fact sheets, and programme reports Drafting project documentation such as work plans, concept notes, proposals, and presentations Conducting desktop research on policy and legislative issues relevant to West Africa Assisting in the preparation of policy meetings and workshop documentation Supporting the development of policy advocacy training tools Undertaking additional administrative or programme tasks as assigned by unit leadership Required Skills and Competencies Core Requirements Strong interest in civil society and non-profit sector management Excellent research and analytical skills Strong written and verbal communication abilities Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications Ability to conduct effective internet-based research Bilingual proficiency: English and French, or English and Portuguese Additional Competencies (Advantageous) Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills Ability to work under pressure with minimal supervision Adaptability in multicultural environments Proactive mindset with willingness to learn and take initiative Application Process Interested applicants are required to submit: A motivation letter Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV) or résumé Applications must be sent via email to:recruitment@wacsi.org Deadline for Applications The closing date for submission is: Friday, 1 May 2026 Selection Note Due to the high volume of applications received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Equal Opportunity Statement WACSI is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of nationality, gender, religion, or background. VIEW THE CALL FOR APPLICATION HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering the internship. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.