Internship Program at African Union(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 Area

In general, interns assist in providing administrative and technical support for effective implementation of African Union programmes, projects and activities in its below Department/Directorates: 

• Cabinet of the Deputy Chairperson
• Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE)
• Economic Development, Trade, Industry, Mining (ETIM)
• 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 Requirements

• 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.

Terms and Conditions

• The AU will have no financial obligation towards interns - travel arrangements and cost of accommodation and living expenses will be the responsibility of the interns. 
• AU will use reasonable efforts to assist the interns in obtaining their entry and residence visas.
• Interns will not be entitled to any compensation for travel. 
• The internship will be authorized only once for three (3) month renewable one time for any candidate
• Interns are not entitled to medical travel or medical evacuation to and from the internship location at the expenses of the Commission. Interns shall therefore have an individual insurance coverage throughout the duration of the internship.

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 officials working languages (French, English, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, Kiswahili) and fluency in another AU language(s) is an added advantage

Core Competencies

• Ability to communicate clearly
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Be committed to work
• Ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment
• Possess the highest standard of moral conduct and integrity