Stafford Capacity Building Internship Program

Africa Program: Stafford Capacity Building Internship

This internship is offered as a remote position for applicants outside of the DC area and is hybrid (in-person an estimated 1x per week) for local applicants. Interns will need regular computer and internet access during Wilson Center’s working hours.

Please note: Application deadline is 11:59pm (EST) on April 7, 2024.

Please read the instructions below IN FULL.

Internship Description

The Africa Program Capacity Building Internship Program targets the development and professional skills of emerging Africanists. It does so by bringing a diverse group of qualified students with an interest in, coursework related to, or experience working on Africa-related issues and policy to support the mission and work of the Africa Program while exposing them to practical experience and professional development opportunities in an environment that mixes public policy and research. This 12-week paid internship is generously funded by Mr. Earl W. Stafford and is funded at 20 hours per week.

Interns will work directly with the Africa Program staff for 20 hours per week and assist with all aspects of the Africa program’s day-to-day operations and programming. Duties will include but are not limited to:

Administrative and Logistical Support:

• Helping Africa Program staff with the preparations for public and private events, including drafting event materials such as event invitations, speaker talking points, event agendas, assembling participant folders and handouts, compiling publications, and preparing tent cards and name tags. Interns will also assist with logistical support for events including event set-up, guest check-in, and note-taking.
• Researching and identifying speakers and other subject matter experts for Africa Program events and activities, and locating, drafting, and compiling speaker bios and contact information.
• Writing event and meeting summaries for the Africa Program website.
• Updating and maintaining the African Program contact database.
• Drafting various Wilson Center quarterly reports.

Research and Writing Support:

• Providing background research and producing memos on a variety of topics and issues related to Africa and to US-Africa relations in support of Program-related presentations, publications, meetings, and media interviews.
• Copyediting and proofing documents including reports, blogs (for the Africa Program’s blog, Africa Up Close), event and meeting summaries, presentations, etc.

Social Media and Communications Support:

• Drafting posts to promote events and publications on the Africa Program social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.
• Conducting web and social media analytics using Google Analytics, social media analytics, and tracking tools, along with tracking the Program’s media coverage.
• Assisting with formatting, configuring, and proofing email campaigns to the Africa Program’s mailing list.
• Assisting with formatting of Africa Program publications using established InDesign templates.

Written Intern Deliverables:

As part of their professional growth experience, each intern will also be required to:

• Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on an Africa-related topic of their choice for delivery to an internal Wilson Center audience.
• Attend at least three Africa-focused events in the Washington area.
• Prepare a one-page evaluation on the impact of their internship experience.
• Produce a resume-ready section capturing their internship experience for review and discussion with the Program Director at the conclusion of their internship.
• Interns also have the option of writing a blog on an Africa-related topic for publication on Africa Up Close.

The Wilson Center comprises 14 programs thus offering many opportunities for professional growth in a number of different areas. Internships also provide opportunities to attend events within the Wilson Center and around Washington. All interns also receive access to the Wilson Center’s substantial research resources.

Eligibility Requirements: 

Successful candidates should have:

• An academic background in Africa and Africa-related issues. Other experience related to Africa would be a plus.
• Strong administrative, organizational, and research skills.
• Excellent writing skills. Copyediting and proofreading experience is a plus.
• Teamwork, attention to detail, initiative, good problem-solving skills, and an enthusiastic and responsible approach to unsupervised work.
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to changing tasks and schedules is desirable.
• Software skills including Adobe Creative Suite (particularly Adobe InDesign and Lightroom), WordPress, Drupal, Google Analytics, Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are desirable.
• Media production skills, including photography; photo, video, and audio editing; or graphic or page design are a plus.
• Students who are currently enrolled in B.A. and M.A. programs are eligible to apply. However, preference will be given to students enrolled in B.A. programs.

Availability: Interns must be available to work a total of 20 hours per week. Interns must be available to be in the office atleast three days per week, and this should include at least 4 hours on Tuesday mornings. Preference will be given to interns who are able to work within the Wilson Center operating hours of 9:00am and 5:30pm, Monday through Thursday. Applicants who are unable to work within the Wilson Center’s operational hours will not be considered.

Please Note: International students studying in the US 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.

The Center is NOT able to sponsor visas for interns. If you are an international student not already studying in the US on an F-1 or J-1 visa, then you have to go through a university exchange program or an outside organization (internship placement agency) that will sponsor your visa. You MUST have the appropriate visa to apply for this internship. The Wilson Center is an equal opportunity employer and follows equal opportunity employment guidelines in the selection of its interns.

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

Applications should contain a resume, cover letter, and completed application form (see above to download). The cover letter should address three points: what you hope to gain from your internship experience, what you would bring to the Africa Program, and what you hope to achieve during your time at the Africa Program. All materials should be sent by email to africa@wilsoncenter.org.

Save your files as pdfs with file names that correspond to your last name and the specific term for which you are applying, using the formula: Your Last Name Fall Application Form

For example, a resume for someone with the last name Smith should be titled “Smith Fall Internship Resume.pdf” Applications not sent in this format will NOT be considered.

Please note that the internship application form is a fillable PDF form. Preview, the default PDF application on macOS, has some issues properly saving fillable forms. Please check to make sure your form is viewable on Windows, and if you are unsure, please try using a different application or printing and scanning the document.

View and download the full details of the internship here.