Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The International Crisis Group (ICG) is recruiting an intern for its Sahel and West Africa Projects based in Dakar, Senegal. This is a hybrid position starting in January 2027, designed for candidates seeking hands-on experience in conflict prevention, political analysis, and advocacy within a high-profile international NGO environment.
The internship focuses on monitoring political and security developments across West Africa and the Sahel, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and coastal Gulf of Guinea countries. It is exclusively available to students who can integrate the internship into their academic curriculum for credit or who have secured external funding such as a grant or scholarship.
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What the Internship Covers
The research does not specify a stipend amount, salary, or direct financial support from Crisis Group. The position requires candidates to have independent funding mechanisms. Eligible applicants must demonstrate one of the following:
- Enrollment in a degree program where the internship is mandatory for academic credit
- Support from a structured sponsored program, grant, or scholarship that funds the internship period
Candidates without external funding are ineligible. The organization explicitly states that personal or family support does not satisfy this requirement.
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Eligibility Requirements
Academic and Professional Background
- Recent undergraduate or graduate degree in international relations, political science, or related fields
- Current enrollment or imminent enrollment in a degree program (proof of acceptance required if not yet enrolled)
- Natural aptitude for politics and foreign affairs
Language and Regional Expertise
- Excellent verbal and written proficiency in both English and French (required)
- Strong knowledge of African politics, preferably West Africa/Sahel
- Previous experience working in or on West Africa or the Sahel considered an asset
Additional Skills
- Good writing, research, and organizational skills
- Ability to summarize information concisely and clearly
- Knowledge of Arabic, Hausa, Bambara, Tamacheq, Fulfulde, Mooré, or Portuguese strongly preferred
- Familiarity with visualization tools (QGIS, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Tableau) an asset
Legal Requirements
- Authorization to undertake an internship in Senegal
- Crisis Group cannot sponsor visas for this role
Application Documents
Applicants must prepare and upload the following:
- CV or resume (PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPEG, or PNG; maximum 50MB)
- Cover letter (same file formats and size limit)
The online application form also requires responses to six mandatory questions covering:
- How you learned about the opportunity
- Current or upcoming degree program enrollment status
- Specific eligibility pathway (academic credit vs. sponsored program)
- External funding status and details
- Statement of interest (maximum 300 words)
- Confirmation of work authorization in Senegal
Application Process
- Prepare your CV and cover letter in acceptable formats
- Complete the online application form on the Crisis Group careers portal
- Upload required documents and answer all mandatory questions
- Submit before the deadline of 16 November 2026
Interviews are conducted on a rolling basis. The application may close earlier if a suitable candidate is identified, so early submission is advisable.
Internship Responsibilities
The selected intern will:
- Monitor political and security developments across West Africa and the Sahel via online sources
- Write daily press roundups on countries covered by the projects
- Assist in drafting monthly situation reports
- Support research assignments including conflict data analysis
- Attend in-person and virtual events and research meetings, taking written notes
- Complete other administrative tasks as required
Why This Matters for African Applicants
For students from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this internship offers direct exposure to regional security dynamics affecting the continent. The requirement for French and English proficiency aligns with language capabilities common in many SADC countries. Candidates with regional language skills—particularly Portuguese, which is spoken in Mozambique and Angola, or local languages like Hausa—hold competitive advantages.
The Dakar base provides accessible geographic proximity for West African applicants and manageable travel logistics for Southern African candidates with funding. The hybrid format may reduce relocation costs for those with existing connections to Senegal.
Key Considerations
This is not a fully funded opportunity. Crisis Group does not provide salary, stipend, or living expense coverage. Applicants must secure independent funding before applying. The visa non-sponsorship policy means candidates must independently obtain Senegalese work authorization.
Official scholarship page: https://jobs.crisisgroup.org/o/intern-sahel-and-west-africa-projects-3
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
