WANEP places special emphasis on collaborative approaches to conflict prevention and peacebuilding, working with diverse actors from civil society, governments, intergovernmental bodies, women’s groups, and other partners to ensure sustainable peace and development in West Africa and beyond. The organisation also prioritises mentoring young professionals and providing students and graduates with unique opportunities for practical learning beyond academic settings, as part of broader efforts to nurture future peacebuilding practitioners, experts, and researchers.

In that regard, WANEP welcomes aspiring professionals and peacebuilding practitioners from across the globe—particularly from the African continent—to engage in its work. Since 1999, WANEP has hosted interns from around the world, with the understanding that the foundation for building and sustaining global, regional, and national peace lies in equipping peacebuilding practitioners with the skills to become catalysts for change in their communities and countries.

As part of this vision, the organisation has, since its inception, implemented the WANEP Internship Programme (WIP) to give young professionals and students the opportunity to explore career paths, develop skills, and gain practical experience in peacebuilding. The programme offers highly motivated individuals from diverse academic backgrounds the chance to gain professional exposure and an in-depth understanding of WANEP’s work at the regional, national and local levels in West Africa and other parts of the African continent.

Objective of WIP

The overarching objective of the WANEP internship programme is to allow students, recent graduates, and early career professionals and researchers to deepen their knowledge as well as strengthen their personal and professional skills in diverse peace and security areas. In addition, the programme aims at bringing new perspectives, and innovative ideas into the work of WANEP from individuals who possess specialised knowledge and skills in relevant areas. Overall, it is a great opportunity for individuals to enhance their resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) and explore different career paths while learning in an intercultural environment at the regional office of WANEP.

What WIP Offers

The WANEP Internship Programme provides participants with:

  • A highly motivated learning and working environment;
  • Experiential learning opportunity to gain practical perspectives on peacebuilding research, concepts and practices, while developing innovative approaches to programme implementation;
  • The opportunity to interact with staff of WANEP regional secretariat and the 15 National Networks including the membership organisations across West Africa;
  • The space to work independently and contribute meaningfully to WANEP’s vision;
  • Opportunities for fieldwork within any of WANEP’s National Networks, when necessary.

Eligibility Criteria

WIP is open to applicants who are:

  1. Students in Africa and other parts of the world enrolled in part-time or full-time undergraduate (in the final year of study)/postgraduate study in political science, international relations, peace and conflict studies, security studies, development studies, gender studies, communication studies, or any relevant field.
  2. Recent graduates (within a year of graduation) from a recognised university/institution of learning.
  3. Fluent in English. Fluency in an additional language (either French or Portuguese) may be an advantage.
  4. Computer literate – excellent computer skills

 Duration of the Internship

The minimum duration of the WANEP internship programme is three (3) months and the maximum is six (6) months depending on the applicant’s performance.

Financing/Stipends

WANEP does not provide any financial support or monthly stipends to interns during the period of internship. All successful applicants are expected to make their own arrangements for travel, accommodation and living expenses during the internship period. Successful applicants will be expected to show proof of this arrangement before starting the internship.

How to Apply

We are not currently hiring interns. Information on the next intake will be communicated in due course.