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WACSI Next Generation Internship Programme 2026 – Fully Funded Opportunity in West Africa
The West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) has officially opened applications for its Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) 2026, a prestigious, fully funded six-month internship designed to empower young professionals in civil society, policy development, and governance.
This programme runs from July to December 2026 and targets emerging leaders from Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, and Togo who are passionate about driving social change and strengthening civil society systems across West Africa.
🌍 About WACSI
Established in 2005 by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) works to strengthen civil society organizations in the region.
WACSI focuses on:
- Capacity development
- Knowledge sharing
- Policy influencing and advocacy
- Institutional strengthening
The institute plays a vital role in building a responsive, resilient, and collaborative civil society ecosystem across West Africa.
🎯 About the Internship Programme
The Next Generation Internship Programme (NGIP) is a structured professional development opportunity that provides hands-on experience in civil society operations, policy engagement, and research-based advocacy.
Interns will work closely with WACSI teams and gain exposure to real-world development challenges and solutions.
🧩 Key Responsibilities of Interns
Selected interns will be involved in a wide range of professional tasks, including:
📌 Programme & Project Support
- Assisting in programme planning and proposal development
- Supporting budget tracking and administrative coordination
- Participating in cross-unit project implementation
📌 Research & Policy Work
- Conducting desktop research on policy and legislative issues
- Writing briefs, fact sheets, and policy summaries
- Supporting policy advocacy meetings and documentation
📌 Training & Capacity Development
- Assisting in the design of training modules and toolkits
- Supporting workshops, seminars, and technical training sessions
- Contributing to knowledge-sharing resources
📌 Communication & Coordination
- Liaising with partners, stakeholders, and resource persons
- Drafting reports, concept notes, and presentations
- Supporting general administrative duties
🧠 Required Skills & Competencies
Applicants are expected to demonstrate:
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work under pressure in multicultural environments
- Proactive mindset with willingness to learn
- Strong research and writing abilities
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
- Internet research skills
🎓 Eligibility Criteria
This opportunity is open to young graduates and early-career professionals who meet the following requirements:
- A minimum of a first degree in:
- International Relations
- Political Science
- Public Policy
- Law
- Development Studies or related fields
- Interest in civil society and non-profit management
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Bilingual proficiency (English/French or English/Portuguese preferred)
- Applicants must be from Nigeria, Guinea, Niger, or Togo
📍 Internship Locations
- Interns from Guinea, Niger, and Togo will be based in Accra, Ghana
- The Nigerian intern will be based in Abuja, Nigeria (no accommodation provided in Abuja; applicants must already reside there)
💰 Benefits of the Programme
This is a fully funded internship, offering comprehensive support, including:
- Round-trip flight tickets for selected interns (from home country)
- Furnished accommodation (for Guinea, Niger, and Togo interns)
- Monthly stipend
- Lunch during working days
- Professional training and mentorship
📅 Application Deadline
🗓 May 1, 2026
Early application is strongly encouraged due to high competition.
📝 How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- Updated CV/Resume
- Motivation letter
📧 Send applications to: recruitment@wacsi.org
⚠️ Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
🌟 Final Note
The WACSI Next Generation Internship Programme 2026 is a rare opportunity for young professionals to gain international exposure, develop policy and advocacy skills, and contribute to meaningful development work across West Africa.
If you are passionate about civil society, governance, and social impact, this programme can be a transformative step in your career.
