The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) has announced three career opportunities for individuals interested in research, public policy, economic development, gender equality, youth employment, and climate financing in Africa.
The October 2026 recruitment includes two Research Assistant Internship positions based in Accra, Ghana, and a Climate Financing Expert consultancy assignment that may be undertaken from Kenya, Malawi, or remotely, subject to arrangements agreed with the Institute.
The available opportunities are part of AFIDEP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking, improve development outcomes, and support the implementation of policies that address Africa’s social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Successful applicants will contribute to research activities, policy engagement, stakeholder consultations, technical analysis, and the development of evidence-based recommendations across different projects.
The three advertised opportunities are:
- Research Assistant Intern – Youth Futures Research Project
- Research Assistant Intern – Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and Macroeconomic Policy Project
- Consultancy – Climate Financing Expert
The application deadline for all three opportunities is 16 October 2026.
About the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP)
The African Institute for Development Policy is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010.
The organisation works to bridge the gap between research, policy formulation, and practical implementation by encouraging governments and other development stakeholders to make consistent use of credible evidence when addressing development challenges.
AFIDEP operates in Africa, with offices in Kenya and Malawi. It is registered as a non-governmental organisation in both countries and as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation in the United States.
Its work focuses on five thematic areas:
- Population Dynamics and Demographic Dividend
- Health and Wellbeing
- Transformative Education and Skills Development
- Environment and Climate Change
- Governance and Accountability
Through research, policy engagement, institutional capacity strengthening, and collaboration with governments and development partners, AFIDEP contributes to the development of policies and programmes intended to improve people’s lives.
The organisation also supports the translation of research findings into practical recommendations that can guide public investment, strengthen accountability, and improve development planning.
The following sections provide detailed information about the three advertised opportunities, including their responsibilities, qualifications, working arrangements, and application procedures.
1. Research Assistant Intern – Youth Futures Research Project
Location: Accra, Ghana
Project: Youth Futures Project
Contract Type: Internship
Reports To: Project Manager (Ghana)
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
Job Description
AFIDEP is recruiting a Research Assistant Intern to support the Ghana team implementing the Youth Futures Research Project.
The Youth Futures Project is an eight-country initiative examining how African countries can create better pathways to decent and fulfilling employment for young people.
The project covers Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Uganda.
It combines research on policies and factors influencing youth employment with analytical modelling to examine how current policy decisions may affect future employment opportunities.
The project also develops investment cases to identify areas where public and private investment could have the greatest impact on youth employment outcomes.
The Research Assistant Intern will support research implementation, policy engagement, project coordination, and the preparation of research outputs.
The internship provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in development policy research, evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and project management.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
A. Research and Analysis
The successful applicant will assist the project team in conducting research and analysing evidence relating to youth employment and economic opportunities.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Reviewing academic literature, policy documents, research reports, and other publications addressing youth employment.
- Examining policies relating to skills development, entrepreneurship, labour markets, and employment opportunities.
- Summarising relevant research findings to support project analysis.
- Collecting secondary data from relevant national and international sources.
- Working with data from the Ghana Statistical Service, labour force surveys, and international databases.
- Cleaning, organising, and preparing datasets for analysis.
- Supporting the interpretation of quantitative research findings.
- Assisting with qualitative research activities.
- Coding interview transcripts and identifying relevant themes.
- Extracting quotations and information from qualitative research materials.
- Supporting measures intended to protect the anonymity and confidentiality of research respondents.
B. Research Writing and Publications
The intern will contribute to the preparation of research publications and other materials used to communicate project findings.
Responsibilities will include:
- Assisting with drafting sections of research reports.
- Supporting the preparation of policy briefs.
- Contributing to research blogs and briefing notes.
- Preparing content for presentations and stakeholder meetings.
- Proofreading research documents.
- Formatting publications according to AFIDEP’s quality standards.
- Checking documents for consistency and accuracy.
- Supporting compliance with relevant partner reporting requirements.
- Tracking documents during review, editing, and publication.
C. Policy Dialogues and Events
The intern will support the organisation and implementation of project meetings, consultations, and policy engagement activities.
Duties will include:
- Assisting with planning policy dialogues.
- Supporting the organisation of youth consultations.
- Helping coordinate evidence-use workshops.
- Preparing invitations and supporting participant communication.
- Assisting with meeting logistics and venue arrangements.
- Maintaining attendance records.
- Taking minutes during meetings and workshops.
- Preparing short reports documenting discussions and outcomes.
D. Youth Research Training and Mentorship
The Youth Futures Project includes activities intended to strengthen the research skills of young people.
The intern will support these activities through:
- Preparing materials for youth researcher training.
- Assisting with the coordination of mentorship activities.
- Maintaining records of training participants.
- Tracking participant progress.
- Supporting documentation of training outcomes.
- Helping capture lessons emerging from mentorship activities.
E. Project Coordination and Administration
The successful applicant will provide administrative and coordination support to the project team.
Responsibilities will include:
- Monitoring progress against project workplans.
- Maintaining organised records of project outputs.
- Supporting documentation of completed activities.
- Assisting with administrative paperwork.
- Supporting financial documentation associated with project activities.
- Helping the project team maintain accurate and accessible project records.
F. Communications and Dissemination
Working with AFIDEP’s communications team, the intern will assist in preparing materials intended to communicate project findings to relevant audiences.
Responsibilities will include:
- Supporting the preparation of communication materials.
- Contributing to short research summaries.
- Assisting with media-related content.
- Supporting website updates.
- Helping prepare materials for dissemination of project findings.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- A Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Sociology, Public Policy, Political Science, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
- Good research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Ability to summarise information clearly and accurately.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ghanaian nationality or the legal right to work in Ghana.
- Residence in Accra, Ghana.
Recent graduates are welcome to apply.
The following will be considered added advantages:
- Experience using data analysis software such as Stata, SPSS, R, or NVivo.
- Previous research experience, particularly in youth employment or policy-related research.
Required Competencies
AFIDEP is seeking applicants who demonstrate:
- Genuine interest in youth development and employment policies.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Willingness to learn and receive feedback.
- Ability to work effectively within a small team.
- Professional communication and engagement with government officials, development partners, and young people.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should prepare the following documents:
- A cover letter of not more than one page explaining their interest and relevant experience.
- A curriculum vitae of not more than three pages.
- A short writing sample, such as an extract from a dissertation, research report, or essay.
Applications should be emailed to:
Email Subject: Research Assistant Intern: Youth Futures Ghana
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
2. Research Assistant Intern – Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and Macroeconomic Policy Project
Location: Accra, Ghana
Project: Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) and Macroeconomic Policy Project
Contract Type: Internship
Reports To: Project Manager (Ghana)
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
Job Description
AFIDEP is seeking a Research Assistant Intern to support the implementation of its Women’s Economic Empowerment and Macroeconomic Policy Project in Ghana.
The project focuses on strengthening policies, public financing mechanisms, and data systems that advance women’s economic empowerment in Africa.
Its activities currently focus on Ghana and Kenya.
The project supports gender-responsive budgeting, examines the effects of economic and fiscal policies on women, strengthens gender data systems, and explores approaches for improving women’s access to finance and economic opportunities.
The selected intern will support research activities, policy engagement, stakeholder consultations, training, project coordination, and communication of research findings.
The position offers practical experience in research and policy processes addressing gender equality, public finance, economic development, and women’s participation in economic activities.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
A. Research and Policy Analysis
The Research Assistant Intern will support research activities examining the relationship between economic policies and women’s economic empowerment.
Specific duties will include:
- Reviewing literature on women’s economic empowerment.
- Examining policy documents relating to gender equality and economic development.
- Reviewing government budget statements.
- Analysing reports addressing gender-responsive budgeting.
- Supporting research on macroeconomic policies affecting women.
- Summarising findings from relevant policy and research publications.
- Collecting secondary data from appropriate institutions.
- Working with information from the Ghana Statistical Service.
- Collecting relevant data from the Ministries of Finance and Gender.
- Cleaning and organising datasets.
- Supporting quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
- Preparing interview guides for research activities.
- Taking notes during interviews and stakeholder meetings.
- Organising interview transcripts and research notes for subsequent analysis.
B. Research Writing and Publications
The intern will assist in developing written materials used to communicate research findings and policy recommendations.
Responsibilities will include:
- Drafting sections of research reports.
- Supporting the development of policy briefs.
- Contributing to blogs and other research communication materials.
- Preparing briefing notes.
- Assisting with presentations.
- Proofreading documents.
- Formatting reports according to AFIDEP’s quality requirements.
- Supporting document quality assurance.
- Tracking publications through review, editing, and finalisation.
C. Training and Capacity Strengthening
The project includes activities intended to strengthen institutional and stakeholder capacity in relevant policy areas.
The intern will support these activities by:
- Assisting with the preparation of training materials.
- Supporting the development of capacity-strengthening resources.
- Helping coordinate training activities.
- Providing logistical support for training sessions.
- Documenting lessons emerging from training activities.
- Maintaining relevant training records.
D. Meetings, Workshops and Stakeholder Engagement
The successful applicant will support stakeholder engagement activities organised under the project.
Responsibilities will include:
- Assisting with planning meetings and policy dialogues.
- Supporting the organisation of workshops.
- Helping coordinate webinars.
- Providing logistical support for stakeholder events.
- Assisting with participant coordination.
- Documenting meeting proceedings.
- Supporting the preparation of event records and reports.
E. Project Coordination and Administration
The intern will assist the project team in maintaining organised implementation processes and records.
Duties will include:
- Tracking progress against project workplans.
- Maintaining project documentation.
- Organising research outputs.
- Supporting administrative activities.
- Assisting with financial paperwork associated with project implementation.
- Helping maintain accurate records of project activities.
F. Communications and Research Dissemination
Working with AFIDEP’s communications team, the intern will support activities intended to communicate project findings.
Responsibilities will include:
- Preparing short summaries of research findings.
- Supporting the development of media content.
- Assisting with website updates.
- Contributing to communication and dissemination materials.
- Supporting other AFIDEP activities in Ghana when agreed with the supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
Applicants should possess:
- A Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Statistics, or a related field.
- Good research, writing, and analytical skills.
- Ability to communicate research findings clearly and accurately.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Ghanaian nationality or the legal right to work in Ghana.
- Residence in Accra, Ghana.
Recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
The following qualifications and experience will be considered advantageous:
- Experience using Stata, SPSS, R, NVivo, or similar data analysis software.
- Previous research experience, particularly in gender-related or public policy research.
Required Skills and Competencies
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Commitment to gender equality.
- Interest in understanding how public policy affects women’s economic opportunities.
- Strong organisational abilities.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to handle multiple assignments.
- Capacity to meet deadlines.
- Willingness to learn and receive constructive feedback.
- Ability to collaborate with colleagues.
- Professional engagement with government officials and development partners.
How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit:
- A cover letter of not more than one page explaining their interest and relevant experience.
- A curriculum vitae of not more than three pages.
- A short writing sample, such as part of a dissertation, research report, or essay.
Applications should be submitted by email.
Email: [email protected]
Email Subject: Research Assistant Intern: Women’s Economic Empowerment Project Ghana
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
Applicants should note that the email address above is reproduced as published in the vacancy announcement. It differs in spelling from the recruitment address listed for the other two opportunities, so applicants should verify the address on AFIDEP’s official recruitment page before submitting.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
3. Consultancy – Climate Financing Expert
Project: Africa Think Tanks Platform (ATTP) Project
Assignment Duration: 11 working days
Assignment Period: October 2026 to December 2026
Working Arrangements: Kenya, Malawi, or remote/hybrid arrangements as agreed with AFIDEP
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
Consultancy Overview
AFIDEP is seeking an experienced Climate Financing Expert to provide specialised technical support for a Southern Africa Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis and a high-level policy dialogue on climate adaptation financing.
The assignment is being implemented under the Africa Think Tanks Platform Project.
AFIDEP is one of thirteen African think tanks participating in the platform through the Building Resilience and Impact through Dialogue and Galvanizing Action for Evidence-Informed Policymaking (BRIDGE) Africa consortium.
The initiative supports research, policy engagement, and institutional strengthening on important development priorities across Africa.
As part of the project, AFIDEP is conducting a regional analysis of climate adaptation financing in Southern Africa.
The study seeks to strengthen understanding of existing financing mechanisms, identify investment gaps and opportunities, and examine barriers affecting the mobilisation and use of climate adaptation resources.
The Institute is also organising a high-level policy dialogue to facilitate discussions among policymakers, financing institutions, development partners, researchers, and other relevant stakeholders.
The Climate Financing Expert will provide technical guidance to strengthen the quality of the research and contribute to the development of practical policy recommendations.
Objectives of the Consultancy
The assignment has several objectives.
These include:
- Providing technical guidance to strengthen the methodology and analytical quality of the Southern Africa Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis.
- Supporting analysis and interpretation of evidence relating to climate adaptation financing.
- Examining financing mechanisms, investment gaps, barriers, opportunities, and enabling conditions.
- Contributing technical expertise to the preparation and implementation of the high-level policy dialogue.
- Supporting the translation of research findings into practical policy recommendations.
- Strengthening the relevance and potential use of research outputs.
- Supporting stakeholder engagement and knowledge translation.
- Reviewing technical outputs to improve their quality and policy relevance.
Scope of Work and Key Responsibilities
A. Technical Guidance and Research Design
The consultant will provide specialised guidance during the design and implementation of the landscape analysis.
Responsibilities will include:
- Reviewing the study protocol.
- Assessing the analytical framework.
- Reviewing the proposed literature review approach.
- Providing recommendations to improve methodological rigour.
- Advising on the scope of the climate adaptation financing analysis.
- Providing guidance on analytical approaches.
- Supporting the interpretation of relevant climate financing evidence.
- Advising on the identification of key informants.
- Identifying relevant institutions involved in climate financing.
- Supporting stakeholder identification across adaptation planning, public finance, development finance, and policy processes.
- Reviewing research tools and study materials where applicable.
- Providing technical recommendations to ensure research materials remain consistent with the study objectives.
B. Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis
The consultant will contribute technical expertise to the assessment of climate adaptation financing policies, investments, and institutional arrangements.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Reviewing climate adaptation financing policies in the countries covered by the study.
- Analysing relevant financing mechanisms.
- Examining climate adaptation investments.
- Reviewing institutional arrangements supporting climate finance.
- Assessing financing practices affecting adaptation programmes.
- Identifying financing gaps.
- Examining barriers affecting access to adaptation finance.
- Identifying opportunities for improving climate financing.
- Assessing factors that enable effective financing.
- Supporting comparative analysis across countries.
- Contributing to regional analysis of climate adaptation financing.
- Identifying relevant approaches and good practices.
- Examining implementation gaps.
- Documenting lessons that may inform future financing policies.
- Reviewing research findings.
- Providing technical input on the implications of findings for financing and policy decisions.
- Participating in drafting and reviewing the final landscape analysis report.
- Supporting the preparation of related technical outputs.
C. Policy Dialogue and Stakeholder Engagement
The consultant will provide technical support for the planned high-level policy dialogue on climate adaptation financing.
Responsibilities will include:
- Reviewing the proposed policy dialogue agenda.
- Assessing the technical content of the dialogue.
- Supporting the identification of relevant participants.
- Advising on engagement with policymakers.
- Supporting engagement with financing institutions.
- Contributing to engagement with development partners.
- Supporting participation by researchers and private-sector stakeholders.
- Reviewing briefing materials.
- Providing technical input to presentations.
- Developing or reviewing discussion questions.
- Contributing to other materials prepared for the dialogue.
- Participating in the high-level policy dialogue.
- Providing technical contributions during discussions.
- Supporting documentation of key issues raised by participants.
- Capturing relevant stakeholder perspectives.
- Helping identify actionable recommendations emerging from the dialogue.
D. Reporting, Knowledge Translation and Policy Uptake
The consultant will support the communication and practical application of research findings.
Duties will include:
- Translating technical research findings into clear policy recommendations.
- Developing feasible recommendations relating to climate adaptation financing.
- Supporting the preparation of policy briefs where required.
- Providing technical input to presentations.
- Contributing to summary notes.
- Supporting the development of other knowledge products.
- Assisting with dissemination of research findings.
- Supporting policy engagement activities in coordination with AFIDEP.
- Documenting stakeholder feedback.
- Identifying emerging lessons from the assignment.
- Highlighting opportunities for the use of research evidence in policy and financing decisions.
E. Technical Quality Assurance and Learning
The consultant will help ensure that the assignment produces technically sound and relevant outputs.
Responsibilities will include:
- Ensuring technical contributions are evidence-based.
- Maintaining methodological quality.
- Providing clearly documented technical input.
- Ensuring consistency with agreed research objectives.
- Identifying relevant analytical assumptions.
- Highlighting risks that may affect the assignment.
- Identifying gaps in available evidence.
- Documenting lessons emerging from the research process.
- Communicating technical concerns to the AFIDEP team.
- Reviewing draft outputs.
- Providing timely feedback.
- Making revisions following technical review and feedback from AFIDEP.
Expected Deliverables
The consultant will be expected to produce or contribute to several outputs during the assignment.
These include:
- Inception Note and Workplan
The consultant will prepare an inception note and workplan outlining the proposed approach to the assignment and the activities to be undertaken.
- Technical Review of the Landscape Analysis
The consultant will provide technical review and input to strengthen the Southern Africa Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis.
- High-Level Policy Dialogue Support
The consultant will support preparation and delivery of the planned high-level policy dialogue.
- Final Technical Recommendations
The consultant will submit final technical recommendations based on the assignment’s findings and stakeholder engagement activities.
- Agreed Knowledge Products
The consultant will contribute to relevant knowledge products agreed with AFIDEP.
Detailed deliverables and timelines will be agreed upon during the inception stage.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Applicants must possess the following qualifications and experience:
- An advanced degree, preferably a Master’s degree or PhD, in Climate Change, Environmental Economics, Climate Finance, Environmental Finance, Development Economics, Public Policy, or a related field.
- At least eight years of relevant professional experience in climate finance, climate adaptation financing, policy analysis, or related areas.
- Demonstrated expertise in climate adaptation financing, climate investment, public finance, development finance, or related financing mechanisms.
- Demonstrated knowledge of climate change and adaptation issues, policies, and financing approaches in African contexts.
- Strong experience in policy and programme analysis in Africa.
- Proven experience conducting or contributing to multi-country or regional studies.
- Strong analytical skills.
- Experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Excellent writing and communication skills.
- A record of producing policy-relevant research outputs.
Experience working with think tanks, regional consortia, governments, development partners, or donor-funded programmes will be considered an advantage.
Required Skills and Competencies
The successful consultant should demonstrate:
- Strong analytical skills.
- Systems-thinking abilities.
- Problem-solving skills.
- Ability to translate complex climate financing evidence into practical recommendations.
- Strong stakeholder engagement skills.
- Facilitation skills.
- Effective technical communication.
- Ability to work independently.
- Ability to collaborate within multidisciplinary teams.
- Experience working in multi-country environments.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to meet agreed deadlines.
Working Arrangements and Duty Station
The consultancy assignment will be undertaken from Kenya, Malawi, or through remote or hybrid arrangements agreed with AFIDEP.
The selected consultant will work closely with the designated AFIDEP project team.
The assignment may involve virtual and in-person meetings, consultations, and participation in the high-level policy dialogue.
Any travel required for the assignment must be agreed upon and approved by AFIDEP in advance.
Travel will be undertaken according to the organisation’s applicable procedures.
AFIDEP will provide agreed access to relevant institutional systems, documents, meeting facilities, and counterpart personnel needed to complete the assignment.
How to Apply
Interested individual consultants should submit:
- A current curriculum vitae demonstrating the required qualifications and relevant professional experience.
- A technical proposal or brief statement explaining the proposed approach to the consultancy assignment.
Applications should be emailed to:
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
Only complete applications submitted through the designated channel before the deadline will be considered.
Important Information for Applicants
Applicants interested in the AFIDEP October 2026 recruitment should carefully review the requirements for their preferred opportunity before submitting an application.
The two Research Assistant Internship positions are based in Accra, Ghana. Applicants must be Ghanaian nationals or have the legal right to work in Ghana and must reside in Accra.
The Climate Financing Expert consultancy has different working arrangements and may be undertaken from Kenya, Malawi, or remotely, depending on the agreement reached with AFIDEP.
Applicants should also pay attention to the different application requirements.
For the internship positions, candidates are required to submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and writing sample.
For the consultancy assignment, applicants must submit a current curriculum vitae and a technical proposal or brief statement of approach.
All three opportunities have an application deadline of 16 October 2026.
AFIDEP is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge recruitment fees at any stage of its recruitment process.
Applicants should use the official application channels and avoid individuals or organisations requesting payment in exchange for recruitment assistance.
For additional information, full vacancy announcements, and any updates to the recruitment process, interested applicants can consult the official AFIDEP Work With Us page.
Applications for these opportunities are submitted through the designated email addresses provided under each position.
