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TypeInternship
OpenMay 23, 2016 — May 23, 2020
DeadlineJune 5, 2017

Wilson Center Description

The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is the living national memorial to President Wilson established by Congress in 1968 and headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a nonpartisan institution, supported by public and private funds, engaged in the study of national and world affairs. The Wilson Center establishes and maintains a neutral forum for free, open and informed dialogue. The Center commemorates the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson by providing a link between the world of ideas and the world of policy. The Wilson Center fosters research, study, discussion, and collaboration among a broad spectrum of individuals concerned with policy and scholarship in national and world affairs.

Africa Program Description

The Wilson Center Africa Program enhances the understanding of critical African policy issues within the United States in order to build stronger, more mutually beneficial U.S.-Africa relations. The Africa Program centers its work on four programmatic pillars:

  • Inclusive Governance and Leadership
  • Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding
  • Trade, Investment, and Sustainable Development
  • Africa’s Evolving Role in the Global Arena

Underlying these pillars is a cross-cutting focus on the roles of women, youth, and technology in Africa’s changing political and economic landscape.

Communications Internship Description

The communications intern will work directly with the Africa Program Staff in support of project activities for a minimum of 20 hours per week. The work will be approximately 60% social media and communications management; 30% copy-editing, research, and writing; 10% administrative. Duties will include:

  • Supporting publication of a specific project: an edited volume on peacebuilding in Africa, published under the Africa Program’s Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding. The communications intern will assist on this project by liaising with authors, maintaining timeline, coordinating the flow of drafts between editors, authors, and staff, and troubleshooting other issues as they arise, in coordination with Africa Program staff.
  • Managing the program blog, Africa Up Close, including liaising with contributors, maintaining a post schedule, copyediting and formatting articles for posting, selecting freely available photos for use, and troubleshooting issues when necessary.
  • Conducting web and social media analytics using Google Analytics and built-in social media analytics in support of program reporting.
  • Assisting Africa Program and External Relations staff in handling media relations, liaising with reporters, handling logistics, and providing background research on interview topics.
  • Managing Africa Program social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook, queueing regular posts promoting Africa Program events, publications, and other content.
  • Maintaining and updating the Africa Program section of the Wilson Center website and drafting blurbs on program activities.
  • Assisting with the copyediting and design of reports and briefs from Africa Program scholars and contributors for publication, using established InDesign templates.
  • Drafting language for event invitations and publication announcements for the Africa Program mailing list and website.
  • Assisting with formatting, configuring, and proofing email campaigns to the Africa Program’s mailing list.
  • Providing logistical, event planning, research assistance, and other support for the Program’s events, workshops, conferences, and meetings, including photographing and live-tweeting Africa Program events.
  • Maintaining and updating the Program’s communications database.
  • Updating the team on trending topics related to Africa and U.S.-Africa policy.
  • Assisting with office reception duties, including answering telephone, greeting visitors.

All interns at the Wilson Center are also encouraged to participate in our many panel discussions, conferences, and other meetings outside of their Africa Program responsibilities. A variety of events are regularly available in regional studies and functional issues like conflict resolution, women’s leadership, environmental issues, Congress, and governance. All interns also receive access to the Wilson Center’s substantial research resources.

This internship is paid.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Interest in Africa and Africa-related issues, and preferably some academic, professional, or experiential background related to this focus.
  • Software skills including WordPress, Drupal, Google Analytics, basic HTML, mass email mailing lists, Adobe Creative Suite (particularly Adobe InDesign), Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, and social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
  • Media production skills a plus, including any experience with photography; photo, video, and audio editing; or graphic or page design.
  • French language oral and written fluency is desirable, but not required.
  • Good research skills, attention to detail and an enthusiastic, responsible approach to unsupervised work are necessary.
  • Ability to multi-task and adapt to changing tasks and schedules is desirable.
  • Experience with professional, formal communication and ability to liaise with contacts outside of the program.
  • Experience with substantive editing or copyediting publications and written work is desirable.
  • Excellent writing skills a must.
  • M.A. candidates encouraged to apply; however, applicants who have just completed a B.A. or are in their senior undergraduate year will also be considered.

Internship Dates: June-August 2017

Application Deadline: June 5, 2017

Applications should contain a resume, cover letter, and completed application form (see below to download). All materials should be sent by email to africa@wilsoncenter.org. Please specify your interest in the Communications Internship with the Africa Program.

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:
YourLastName Spring/Summer/Fall Communications Internship Cover Letter
YourLastName Spring/Summer/Fall Communications Internship Resume
YourLastName Spring/Summer/Fall Communications Internship Application Form

For example, a resume for someone with the last name Smith should be titled “Smith Spring 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're unsure, try using a different application or printing and scanning the document.