The African Union Internship Program provides an opportunity for interns to complement their educational experience and to develop their professional skills and experience. The AU internship program is a full-time engagement through which qualified individuals from diverse academic backgrounds are given the opportunity to gain professional exposure within the AU.
The program aims to expose participants to the workings of the AU at an early stage of their professional career and strengthen their personal and professional skills. It provides an avenue for participants to gain hands-on experience in various applicable fields, while learning in an intercultural environment. The AU will further gain support from participants who possess adequate knowledge and skills in relevant areas and serve as a potential grooming ground for future African Leaders.
Focus Areas
In general, interns assist in providing administrative and technical support for the effective implementation of African Union programs, projects, and activities in the below Department/Directorates:
Cabinet of the Chairperson
Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson
Office of the Director General
Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE)
Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI)
Infrastructure and Energy (IE)
Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS)
Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development (HHS)
Human Resources Management (HRM)
Operations Support Services
Management Information Systems Division
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Conference Management and Publications (CMP)
Office for Safety and Security Services
Citizens and Diaspora (CIDO)
Medical and Health Services
Financial Control Unit
Office of Strategic Planning and Delivery
Office of Internal Oversight (OIO)
Quality Assurance and Control
Ethics, Integrity and Standards
Office of the Secretary to the Commission
Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC)
Office of Protocol
Partnership and Resource Mobilization
Women, Gender and Youth (WGY)
Information and Communication
Peace Fund Secretariat
New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
Eligibility
Be actively enrolled in at least the final year of a Bachelor’s degree program OR
Must have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or an advanced/ post graduate (Masters) qualification in a related academic field;
Be nationals of a Member State of the African Union.
Be full time students currently enrolled in the final year of their Bachelors or graduate school program.
Be fluent in at least one of the African Union working languages (Arabic, English, French or Portuguese).
Be no more than thirty-two (32) years of age at the time of selection.
Possess the highest standard of moral conduct and integrity.
Have not been convicted of any serious criminal offence excluding minor traffic offences.
Prior work experience is not required for the internship positions.
Required Skills
Proficient computer skills (MS Word, Excel and Power Point)
Proficiency with e-mail and internet applications,
Good interpersonal skills
Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
Proficiency in one of the AU official’s working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, Kiswahili) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage
Application Process
Applicants must submit the following supporting documents with their online application:
A motivation letter indicating what they expect to gain out of the internship program
A copy of valid passport or national identity card
Certified copies of relevant academic certificates
Current curriculum vitae (CV)
Recommendation letter for internship from the institution of learning that they are attending
Upon successful submission of their application, applicants will receive an email confirmation that their application has been successfully received.
