Description:

Africa’s premier organization for capacity building is the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF). In addition to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Bank, and African Development Bank (AfDB), it includes 40 African nations as members.

In order to solve present and upcoming development difficulties, ACBF focuses on institution creation and human capital development. While it offers services to all sectors—public, private, academia, and civil society, to mention a few—ACBF focuses on enhancing the efficiency of public sector organizations in Africa at the national, regional, and continental levels in order to become efficient integrators of systems and catalysts of long-lasting and revolutionary change.

In order to address the significant capacity shortages in Africa, the Foundation was founded in 1991. Over 70 higher education institutions, including universities in every region of sub-Saharan Africa, have received support from ACBF to date in reforming their curricula to meet their nations’ economic needs and providing libraries that allow students to conduct research online. More than 50,000 government servants have received training from the Foundation; the majority of these individuals currently occupy important roles in central banks and ministries of finance, planning, or economic development throughout the continent.

Additionally, ACBF has created a network of more than 35 think tanks that promote evidence-based policymaking throughout Africa and generate important policy research and analysis that guides economic management and helps set success standards. In its capacity as a thought leader, ACBF has produced more than 500 knowledge products that span more than 200 development issues through research, studies, and publications.

The Foundation’s current five-year plan (2023–2027) is centered on improving institutions and human capacity in four impact areas: trade, agribusiness & food security, economic governance, and climate change & green energy.

Recent graduates can join ACBF through internships in Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; and Harare, Zimbabwe.

The internship offers opportunities to:

• Work with a major international institution driving Africa’s capacity development.
• Participate and gain a deeper understanding of ACBF’s work in Africa.
• Work collaboratively with experienced professionals in a multicultural environment.
• Develop the individual’s career path with practical work experience as they contribute to ACBF’s work.

SELECTION CRITERIA (required skills and knowledge)

Selection will be on a competitive basis, and the following minimum qualifications and competencies are required.

Interested candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage in a wide range of fields, such as Business Administration, Communication, Finance, Economics, Library and Information Science, International Development, Marketing, Public Administration, Records Management, or any related Social-Sciences field.

• Ability to work independently under minimum supervision and be accountable.
• Fluency in at least one of the Foundation’s working languages (English or French).
• Excellent writing, research, critical thinking, and analytical skills.
• Excellent interactive and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Excellent computer skills (MS applications)
• Demonstrated mastery of subject matter.
• Efficient in meeting commitments, deadlines and achieving results
• Good communication skills.

The Foundation will provide the interns with a monthly allowance. Interns shall be responsible for their own medical insurance coverage, transport (air travel where applicable), and living accommodation expenses.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications, quoting the reference “Internship – 2025,” including curriculum vitae (maximum two pages) and a personal statement (one page) with three (3) referees, should be received at the address below by 31 January 2025.

The Executive Secretary

The African Capacity Building Foundation

P.O. Box 1562

HARARE, Zimbabwe

E-mail:

Please note that only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

We strongly encourage qualified female candidates to apply.

ACBF is a smoke-free environment.

How to apply

Simply click on the apply button, fill out of the form, upload your documents

APPLY