Internship: Africa Program Development

Job Description

Position summary:

The Africa Program Development Hub at Search for Common Ground is seeking a bilingual intern (fluent in English and French) to support the design of high-quality proposals and concept notes that advance peace and social cohesion across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The intern will join a dynamic, high-performing, and diverse team that leads program development efforts across 20 African countries. This internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to multiple stages of the business development cycle—from identifying funding opportunities and cultivating partnerships to drafting concept notes, full proposals, and supporting donor engagement.

The intern will be assigned a geographic focus within the Africa portfolio, with the flexibility to support other countries as needed. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about peacebuilding, has strong writing and research skills, and is eager to gain hands-on experience in the international development field.

Please note that this internship is based in any African country where Search has an office.

Main Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development of proposals, including writing proposal narratives, formulating theories of change, outlining program activities, drafting logical frameworks, and copy-editing.
• Conduct desk research to produce clear, accurate, and up-to-date context analyses for proposals and concept notes.
• Support the creation and implementation of fundraising strategies.
• Review calls for proposals and contribute to early positioning efforts, including researching and contacting potential partners.
• Edit proposals and communications materials in English and/or French to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency.
• Attend relevant meetings, events, or conferences on behalf of the team and prepare concise summaries.
• Provide logistical and administrative support to the Africa Program Development Hub and country offices as needed.

Qualifications:

• Degree in relevant subject required
• Fluency in English and French is mandatory
• Strong writing, editing and communication skills in English and French
• Demonstrable interest in and knowledge of peacebuilding or international development in Africa
• A self-starting, solution-oriented and flexible approach to tasks
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and tight deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail

Desirable:

• Other languages (Portuguese, Somali, Arabic) are an asset
• Experience working at a non-governmental organization/non-profit or similar environment
• Practical experience in business development (proposal writing, fundraising, donor briefings etc.)
• International experience, preferably in developing countries

To apply, please send your CV and a tailored cover letter (max. 300 words) explaining why this role interests you and how your skills align with Search for Common Ground’s work in Africa. Include the word “Ubuntu” somewhere in your letter to confirm you read the posting in full.

The deadline to apply is July 27, 2025

This position requires a commitment of minimum 20 hours a week for six months, starting on August 15, 2025.

Undergraduates (juniors and seniors), graduate students, and recent graduates are welcome to apply. Interns will receive a modest stipend in line with local pay regulations.

The internship opportunity is open to interested and qualified candidates that have legal rights to work in that country.

About the Organization

Founded in 1982, Search for Common Ground works to transform the way the world deals with conflict - away from adversarial approaches and towards collaborative problem solving. We work with local partners to find culturally appropriate means to strengthen societies' capacity to deal with conflicts constructively: to understand the differences and act on the commonalities.