ACET Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program 2026: Six-Month Opportunity Supporting Gender Equality and Women’s Economic Empowerment in Africa

The African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program 2026 is an opportunity for graduates interested in gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, development policy, research and programme management to gain practical professional experience while contributing to programmes focused on advancing gender equality across Africa. ACET is recruiting a motivated Graduate Intern for its Gender Equality Program (GEP) to provide programme coordination and delivery support across a portfolio of initiatives. The successful candidate will also contribute to research, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), procurement, stakeholder engagement and general programme administration. The internship is particularly relevant for graduates from fields such as gender studies, economics, development studies, public policy and the social sciences who want to strengthen their professional experience while working on issues affecting gender equality and economic transformation in Africa. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, 17 September 2026. The internship will initially run for six months, with the possibility of an extension depending on the intern’s performance and the needs of the programme.

About the African Center for Economic Transformation

The African Center for Economic Transformation works on issues connected to Africa’s economic transformation and development. Its areas of work include economic management and governance, gender equality, green industrial transformation, innovation and digital policy, private-sector development, regional integration, and youth employment and skills. Through the Gender Equality Program, ACET maintains a portfolio of programmes and projects designed to advance gender equality and women’s economic empowerment across Africa.

The current Gender Equality Program portfolio includes

African Women’s Inclusion Index (AWII)

Shared Power

Care Economy in Africa

Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB)

Gender Mainstreaming

These initiatives form the broader environment in which the selected graduate intern will work and provide programme support.

About the ACET Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program 2026

The Graduate Intern will support the coordination and delivery of activities across ACET’s Gender Equality Program portfolio. One of the central purposes of the position is to improve visibility and coordination across GEP’s different workstreams by ensuring that reliable and up-to-date information is maintained concerning programme activities, deadlines, deliverables and outstanding actions. Rather than being limited to one narrow function, the internship covers several aspects of programme implementation. The successful candidate will have opportunities to contribute to programme coordination, research, MEL, procurement, stakeholder engagement, events and programme administration. Because several tasks and projects may be taking place simultaneously, ACET is looking for a graduate who is highly organised, proactive and capable of managing multiple responsibilities. The successful candidate should also communicate effectively with colleagues across different teams and be comfortable working with limited day-to-day supervision.

Key Responsibilities of the Graduate Intern

The selected intern will undertake responsibilities across six major areas.

• Programme and Workplan Coordination

Programme coordination will form an important part of the internship. The intern will help the GEP team maintain visibility over its various activities and deadlines by keeping the programme tracker updated. This will include information relating to:

Programme activities

Key milestones

Deliverables

Responsible team members

Deadlines

The intern will also prepare short weekly overviews identifying upcoming deadlines, overdue tasks and matters requiring the team’s attention. Another responsibility will involve following up with relevant team members concerning outstanding actions. This means the intern will need to communicate proactively and ensure that important activities do not remain unresolved without appropriate follow-up. The intern will additionally monitor GEP’s work with other ACET functions, including Finance, Procurement, MEL and Communications. Support will also be provided for GEP team planning and programme review meetings.

• Procurement and Consultant Coordination

The internship provides exposure to procurement and consultant management processes within a development-focused organisation. The successful candidate will support the preparation, submission and tracking of procurement requests and their supporting documentation. The intern will liaise with the Procurement team to follow up on routine requirements and timelines, helping ensure that programme-related procurement activities move forward as required. The intern will also provide support during consultant recruitment and contracting processes. Responsibilities may include:

Coordinating interviews

Supporting shortlisting processes

Coordinating feedback

Tracking consultant contracts

Monitoring consultant deliverables against agreed timelines

This aspect of the internship can provide useful experience for graduates interested in programme administration, project management and international development operations.

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Programme Reporting

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, commonly referred to as MEL, is another important component of the internship. The intern will assist with collecting and consolidating information needed for quarterly MEL reporting.

Information may relate to

Programme activities

Outputs

Events

Stakeholder engagements

Cross-team collaborations

The successful candidate will also maintain relevant records and trackers throughout each reporting period. In addition, the intern will follow up with project leads to help ensure that required inputs are submitted on time for MEL and other programme reporting requirements.

• Programme and Research Support

Graduates interested in research and policy will also have opportunities to support research activities associated with GEP’s programmes. Responsibilities may include conducting targeted literature and evidence searches and helping prepare research summaries.

The intern may also support

Organisation of datasets and research materials where appropriate

References and research documentation

Background research ahead of policy engagements

Short policy-facing outputs where appropriate

This combination of research and programme responsibilities makes the internship particularly relevant to candidates seeking practical exposure to the relationship between evidence, policy engagement and programme implementation.

• Events and Stakeholder Coordination

The Graduate Intern will also contribute to stakeholder engagement and event coordination.

The successful candidate will help plan and coordinate GEP activities such as

Workshops

Stakeholder meetings

Validation sessions

Dissemination events

The intern will work with ACET’s Communications team and other relevant teams when coordinating these activities. Additional responsibilities will include participant coordination, preparing meeting materials, scheduling and conducting post-event follow-up. The intern may also prepare meeting notes and monitor outstanding actions arising from meetings or events. Maintaining stakeholder databases and engagement tracking will form another part of this responsibility.

• General Programme Support

Beyond the specific areas outlined above, the intern will provide general programme support to the Gender Equality Program. An important responsibility will be maintaining organised project documentation. The successful candidate will also support the effective flow of information between GEP projects and between the Gender Equality Program and other relevant ACET teams.

Required Qualifications for the ACET Graduate Internship 2026

Candidates interested in applying should hold a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

Relevant academic disciplines include

Gender studies

Economics

Development studies

Public policy

Social sciences

Other related fields

ACET is seeking candidates with strong organisational and coordination abilities. Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to manage several tasks and deadlines simultaneously. Candidates should also be proactive and detail-oriented. The role requires someone capable of anticipating requirements, following up on outstanding activities and identifying potential delays without requiring constant supervision. Applicants must also be proficient in Microsoft Excel and comfortable using digital tools for project tracking and documentation.

Areas of Interest and Experience

Applicants should demonstrate an interest in one or more areas related to the work of the Gender Equality Program, including:

Gender equality

Women’s economic empowerment

Development policy

Related development and policy issues

Previous experience is not stated as an absolute requirement in the announcement. However, experience in certain areas will be considered an advantage.

These include experience in

Programme coordination

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Research support

Procurement processes

Programme administration

Candidates who have gained relevant experience through academic projects, internships, professional roles or related activities may therefore find their background relevant to the responsibilities of the position, although applicants should represent their experience accurately in their applications.

Skills ACET Is Looking For

The vacancy places considerable emphasis on organisation, initiative and the ability to coordinate multiple activities.

An ideal applicant should therefore be able to demonstrate

Strong organisational ability: The role involves trackers, documentation, deliverables, meetings, deadlines and multiple projects. Coordination skills: The intern will interact with different teams and support activities involving Finance, Procurement, MEL, Communications and programme colleagues. Attention to detail: Accurate documentation, deadline tracking and reporting require careful attention to information. Proactivity: The intern is expected to follow up on outstanding actions and identify possible delays. Ability to work independently: ACET specifically seeks someone capable of working with limited day-to-day supervision. Digital competency: Applicants should be proficient in Excel and comfortable with digital project tracking and documentation tools. Interest in gender and development: Candidates should demonstrate genuine interest in gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, development policy or related areas.

Duration of the ACET Gender Equality Program Internship

The Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program position will initially run for six months. Importantly, ACET states that there is a possibility of extension. Any extension will depend on the intern’s performance and the needs of the programme. The selected intern will report directly to the Head of Gender Equality Program and will work closely with members of the GEP team across the programme’s portfolio of projects.

How to Apply for the ACET Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program 2026

Applicants must submit their applications by email.

Candidates are required to prepare

An up-to-date CV

A cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the position

Both documents should be emailed to

[email protected]

Applicants should use their cover letter to clearly connect their qualifications, skills and relevant experience with the requirements of the internship rather than simply repeating information already contained in their CV. The official vacancy announcement specifically requests a cover letter explaining why the applicant considers themselves the most suitable candidate for the position.

Application Deadline

The closing date for applications for the ACET Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program 2026 is Thursday, 17 September 2026. Applicants interested in the opportunity should prepare and submit their CV and cover letter before the closing date. ACET has also stated that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Important Application Information at a Glance

Organisation: African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)

Position: Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program (GEP)

Programme focus: Gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in Africa

Duration: Six months

Extension: Possible, subject to performance and programme needs

Reporting to: Head of Gender Equality Program

Required education: Relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree

Relevant disciplines: Gender studies, economics, development studies, public policy, social sciences or a related field

Application documents: CV and accompanying cover letter

Application method: Email

Application email: [email protected]

Application deadline: Thursday, 17 September 2026

Selection communication: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Why Consider the ACET Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program?

For graduates interested in development, gender policy and programme implementation, this internship provides exposure to several interconnected areas of professional work. Rather than focusing exclusively on research or administration, the position spans programme coordination, procurement, consultant coordination, MEL, reporting, research, events and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will also work across a portfolio addressing significant gender equality and women’s economic empowerment issues in Africa, including the African Women’s Inclusion Index, Shared Power, the Care Economy in Africa, Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Gender Mainstreaming.

Conclusion

The ACET Graduate Intern – Gender Equality Program 2026 presents an opportunity for graduates interested in gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, development policy, research and programme management to build practical experience within the African Center for Economic Transformation. Over the initial six-month period, the selected intern will contribute to a broad range of responsibilities, from maintaining programme workplans and monitoring deadlines to supporting procurement, consultant coordination, MEL reporting, research, stakeholder engagement and events. ACET is particularly seeking a highly organised, proactive and detail-oriented graduate who can balance multiple responsibilities, work effectively with colleagues across teams and operate with limited day-to-day supervision. Candidates with an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in gender studies, economics, development studies, public policy, social sciences or another relevant discipline are encouraged to review the requirements carefully and prepare a CV and compelling cover letter explaining their suitability. Applications must be submitted to [email protected] by Thursday, 17 September 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Visit the OFY website for more Internship Opportunities.