Justice Africa offers an internship programme for young professionals and those studying at, or recently graduated from University. The aims of the internships are to develop the next cohort of policy researchers and activists, and to equip them with the research and professional skills necessary to develop their careers.

What do we offer our interns?

• The opportunity to work with some of the most informed and distinctive African-focused policy professionals
• A strong introduction to the professional life and business of an NGO; learning to contribute to both the policy research and the administration of the organisation
• The opportunity to define and undertake new research related to Justice Africa’s programmes, and with our guidance, develop this into publishable-quality material
• An opportunity to meet researchers and activists from across Africa, develop networking connections, and attend conferences, seminars and other events on behalf of Justice Africa
• At the end of the internship, we would give you a reference for any future employers. We will also be able to respond to reference requests after you have left us

What experience do I need to be a Justice Africa intern?

You don’t need any professional experience to be a Justice Africa intern. What you do need is enthusiasm and an interest in human rights and social justice in Africa. A lot of our interns will have a Master’s degree in a related field; but this is not mandatory. We would normally expect you to have a Bachelor’s degree, be studying for a Bachelor’s degree, or have some form of experience or knowledge of Africa or African issues. You would, however, need to be computer literate (email, internet and Microsoft packages)

How long does an internship last?

The internship can last for three or six months, depending on the intern’s preference, and in negotiation with Justice Africa

Where is the internship based?

The interships are based in London

When do you take interns?

We take interns quaterly - in January, April, July, and September. We recognise that a lot of applicants will want to work during the summer vacation, and so we can be flexible as to when they start.

What programmes can I intern on?

Currently we are only accepting interns for our Sudan and Peace and Security Programmes as our HIV/AIDS programme is at the end of its present cycle. Generally we aim to have an intern on each of our programmes in each quarter.

Are all applications accepted?

This depends on the demand for internships. The demand will be highest for summer and September places, and lower for January and April. We reserve the right to offer internships to all those that we think suitable, even if this means having more than one intern at a time on each programme; but if we have more applications than places, we will have to choose the best candidates

Do you send interns to Africa?

No. We don’t have the resources to do this. However, a number of our former interns have gained opportunities from jobs, or universities or competitions to visit or work in Africa; and we are always ready to learn from their experiences and help them with any plans for their work

Can I be an intern if I am not British?

Yes you can; but you must have a visa or residency to stay in Britain for the length of your internship, and you must be able to support yourself financially in London for the whole of your stay. We do not participate in any visa sponsorship schemes, but can write a letter in support of a visa application should that be necessary

Do you have to be African, or of African ethnicity, to be a Justice Africa intern?

No you don’t; but we would especially welcome your application if you are, and if you felt that this would enhance the knowledge and experience that you would bring to Justice Africa

Do you pay your interns?

Unfortunately, our funding does not allow us to pay our interns. If you were to undertake any travel in London or further afield, such as to attend a conference or meeting, we would be able to reimburse you for this

Am I too old or young to be an intern?

You would need to be at least 18 years old to be an intern. We have no upper age limit

Can an internship count as college credit?

If your college is willing to accept the internship as credit, then you may do so, but this is up to you to arrange. We do not participate in any schemes where college credit is guaranteed by an internship. We can supply any paperwork necessary for your college if they agree to you earning credit this way

Can you suggest where else to be an intern?

You can try our partner organisations PADEAP or the Centre for Democracy and Development. You could also try Student’s Partnership Worldwide and Fahamu. You may also like to check out the Interns Network for further information

How do I apply?

You need to send us your C.V. with a one-page letter detailing yourself, your background, your interests, the programme and round that you would like to intern on and why you wish to intern with us. When you have these documents, send them by email attachment to the Internship Programme. IMPORTANT: please include your desired round (Jan, April, July or Sep) and programme choice in the subject of your email as it makes us much easier for us to sort through applications. You can apply at any time, but you stand the best chance if you apply between three and six months before you would like to start.