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About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org

Role Overview

AFIDEP is looking for a motivated Research Assistant Intern to join the Ghana team of its Youth Futures Project, an eight-country initiative examining how countries can create better pathways to decent and fulfilling work for young people. Spanning Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Uganda, the project combines research on the policies and factors shaping youth employment, modelling to explore how current policy choices could influence future job prospects, and investment cases to identify where public and private investment can have the greatest impact. The project also provides opportunities for young researchers to build their skills and contribute to generating evidence that can inform policies and investments for the future of work.

This is a hands-on role. The intern will support the team’s research, policy engagement, and project management work, and gain practical experience in policy research, evidence use, and working with government and young people.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research & Analysis

• Literature & Policy Review: Synthesise literature, policy documents and reports on youth employment, skills, entrepreneurship and the labour market in Ghana and other project countries.
• Data Management & Analysis: Collect, clean and organise secondary data from sources such as the Ghana Statistical Service, labour force surveys and international databases, and support data analysis.
• Qualitative Research Support: Code interview transcripts, extract relevant quotes and help protect the anonymity of respondents.

2. Writing & Publications

• Drafting: Help draft sections of reports, policy briefs, blogs, presentations and briefing notes.
• Quality Assurance: Proofread and format documents to ensure outputs meet AFIDEP’s style and quality standards and partners’ reporting requirements.
• Publication Tracking: Help track documents as they move through review, editing and publication.

3. Policy Dialogues & Events

• Event Support: Help plan and run policy dialogues, youth consultations, evidence use workshops and other meetings, including logistics, invitations, attendance records and venue coordination.
• Documentation: Take clear minutes and prepare short event reports.

4. Youth Research Training & Mentorship

• Training Materials: Support the preparation of training materials for youth researchers.
• Mentorship Coordination: Help coordinate mentorship activities and keep records of participants and progress.
• Learning: Help document what the training and mentorship achieved.

5. Project Coordination & Administration

• Workplan Tracking: Help track progress against the workplan and keep project outputs well organised.
• Administrative Support: Assist with administrative and financial paperwork linked to project activities.

6. Communications

• Dissemination Support: Working with AFIDEP’s communications team, support the preparation of communication and dissemination outputs, including media content, short summaries and website updates.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Sociology, Public Policy, Political Science, Social Sciences, Statistics or a related field. Recent graduates are welcome to apply.
• Good research, writing and analytical skills, with the ability to summarise information clearly and accurately.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with data analysis software such as Stata, SPSS, R or NVivo is an advantage.
• Previous research experience, especially on youth, employment or policy issues, is an advantage.
• Applicants must be Ghanaian nationals or have the right to work in Ghana, and must be resident in Accra.

Competencies

• Commitment to Youth Development: A genuine interest in young people’s development and the policies that affect their future.
• Organisation & Attention to Detail: Ability to manage several tasks at once and meet deadlines.
• Learning & Teamwork: Willingness to learn, take feedback and work well in a small team.
• Professional Engagement: Comfortable engaging professionally with government officials, partners and young people.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should include:

• A cover letter of no more than one page explaining your interest and relevant experience.
• A CV of no more than three pages.
• A short writing sample (for example, a section of a dissertation, report or essay).

Please send your application, with the subject line “Research Assistant Intern: Youth Futures Ghana”, to Recruitment@afidep.org no later than 16 October 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

AFIDEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

About AFIDEP

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Our primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. For further details, visit www.afidep.org.

Role Overview

AFIDEP is looking for a motivated Research Assistant Intern to join the Ghana team of its Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project, which works to strengthen policies, public financing and data systems that advance women’s economic empowerment in Africa. Currently focused on Ghana and Kenya, the project supports gender-responsive budgeting, generates evidence on how economic and fiscal policies affect women, strengthens gender data systems, and explores approaches to improving women’s access to finance and economic opportunities.

This is a hands-on role. The intern will support the team’s day-to-day research, policy engagement and project activities, gaining practical experience in conducting research, supporting policy processes and contributing to work that informs economic policy and women’s economic empowerment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Research & Analysis

• Literature & Policy Review: Synthesise literature, policy documents, budget statements and reports on women’s economic empowerment, gender-responsive budgeting and macroeconomic policy in Ghana.
• Data Management & Analysis: Collect, clean and organise secondary data from sources such as the Ghana Statistical Service and the Ministries of Finance and Gender, and support data analysis.
• Qualitative Research Support: Prepare interview guides, take notes during interviews and meetings, and organise transcripts and notes for analysis.

2. Writing & Publications

• Drafting: Help draft sections of reports, policy briefs, blogs, presentations and briefing notes.
• Quality Assurance: Proofread and format documents to ensure outputs meet AFIDEP’s quality standards.
• Publication Tracking: Help track documents as they move through review, editing and publication.

3. Training & Capacity Strengthening

• Training Materials: Support the preparation of capacity strengthening and training materials when needed.
• Logistics & Learning: Support the organisation and logistics of training activities and help document lessons learned.

4. Meetings, Workshops & Stakeholder Engagement

• Event Support: Help plan and run meetings, policy dialogues, workshops and webinars, including logistics, coordination and documentation.

5. Project Coordination & Administration

• Workplan Tracking: Help track progress against the workplan and keep project outputs well organised.
• Administrative Support: Assist with administrative and financial paperwork linked to project activities.

6. Communications

• Dissemination Support: Working with AFIDEP’s communications team, support the preparation of communication and dissemination outputs, including media content, short summaries and website updates.
• Support other AFIDEP work in Ghana from time to time, as agreed with the supervisor.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Economics, Development Studies, Gender Studies, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Statistics or a related field. Recent graduates are welcome to apply.
• Good research, writing and analytical skills, with the ability to summarise information clearly and accurately.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience with data analysis software such as Stata, SPSS, R or NVivo is an advantage.
• Previous research experience, especially in gender or public policy work, is an advantage.
• Applicants must be Ghanaian nationals or have the right to work in Ghana, and must be resident in Accra.

Competencies

• Commitment to Gender Equality: A genuine interest in gender equality and how public policy affects women’s lives.
• Organisation & Attention to Detail: Ability to manage several tasks at once and meet deadlines.
• Learning & Teamwork: Willingness to learn, take feedback and work well in a team.
• Professional Engagement: Comfortable engaging professionally with government officials and partners.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should include:

• A cover letter of no more than one page explaining your interest and relevant experience.
• A CV of no more than three pages.
• A short writing sample (for example, a section of a dissertation, report or essay).

Please send your application, with the subject line “Research Assistant Intern: Women’s Economic Empowerment Project Ghana”, to  Recruittment@afidep.org no later than 16 October 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

AFIDEP is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

1. Background

The African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) is a regional non-profit research and policy institute established in 2010 to help bridge the gaps between research, policy, and practice in development efforts in Africa. Its primary purpose is to contribute to sustainable development through the use of evidence and advocacy to strengthen political commitment and resource allocation for development issues; inform the design and implementation of effective interventions; and strengthen governance and accountability structures for tracking development challenges in Africa. www.afidep.org.

AFIDEP is one of the thirteen African think tanks participating in ATTP through the Building Resilience and Impact through Dialogue and Galvanizing Action for Evidence-Informed Policymaking (BRIDGE) Africa consortium. Through the project and its broader programme of work, AFIDEP contributes to research, policy engagement, and institutional strengthening on development priorities in Africa.

To support implementation of the ATTP Project, AFIDEP is undertaking a Southern Africa Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis and organising a high-level policy dialogue on climate adaptation financing in the region. The activities are intended to strengthen the evidence base on climate adaptation financing, identify financing gaps and opportunities, and facilitate policy dialogue among relevant stakeholders.

AFIDEP therefore seeks to engage a Climate Financing Expert to provide specialized technical input to the landscape analysis and the high-level policy dialogue. The assignment will contribute to the quality, relevance, and policy uptake of evidence generated under ATTP, while supporting practical and implementable policy recommendations on climate adaptation financing.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

• Provide specialized technical guidance to strengthen the methodological and analytical quality of the Southern Africa Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis.
• Support the analysis and interpretation of evidence on climate adaptation financing, including financing mechanisms, gaps, barriers, opportunities, and enabling factors relevant to the region.
• Contribute technical expertise to the preparation and implementation of the high-level policy dialogue and support translation of evidence into practical, policy-relevant recommendations.
• Strengthen the quality, relevance, and potential uptake of ATTP research outputs through appropriate stakeholder engagement, knowledge translation, and technical review.

3. Scope of Services, Tasks and Responsibilities

3.1 Technical Guidance and Research Design

• Review the study protocol, analytical framework, and literature review approach for the Southern Africa Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis and provide technical recommendations to strengthen methodological rigour.
• Provide technical guidance on the scope, analytical approach, and interpretation of climate adaptation financing evidence relevant to the study.
• Advise on the identification of relevant key informants and stakeholders, including institutions involved in climate finance, adaptation planning, public finance, development finance, and policy processes.
• Review relevant research tools and study materials, where applicable, and provide technical input to strengthen their relevance and consistency with the study objectives.

3.2 Climate Adaptation Financing Landscape Analysis

• Provide technical input to the review and analysis of climate adaptation financing policies, mechanisms, investments, institutional arrangements, and related financing practices in the countries covered by the study.
• Support assessment of key financing gaps, barriers, opportunities, and enabling factors affecting climate adaptation financing.
• Contribute to comparative and regional analysis to identify relevant approaches, good practices, implementation gaps, and lessons that may inform climate adaptation financing policy and practice.
• Review and provide technical input on the interpretation of findings and their implications for policy and financing decisions.
• Participate in drafting and reviewing the final landscape analysis report and related technical outputs.

3.3 Policy Dialogue and Stakeholder Engagement

• Review the proposed agenda and content for the high-level policy dialogue on climate adaptation financing.
• Support identification and engagement of relevant participants, including policymakers, financing institutions, development partners, researchers, private-sector actors, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Provide technical input to briefing materials, presentations, discussion questions, or other materials prepared for the policy dialogue.
• Participate in the high-level policy dialogue and provide technical contributions within the agreed programme.
• Support documentation of key issues, stakeholder perspectives, and actionable recommendations emerging from the dialogue.

3.4 Reporting, Knowledge Translation, and Policy Uptake

• Translate technical findings from the landscape analysis into clear, feasible, and actionable policy and financing recommendations.
• Provide technical input to policy briefs, presentations, summary notes, or other knowledge products arising from the assignment, where required.
• Support appropriate dissemination and policy engagement around the findings, in coordination with the AFIDEP team.
• Document relevant stakeholder feedback, emerging lessons, and opportunities for uptake of the evidence and recommendations.

3.5 Technical Quality Assurance and Learning

• Ensure technical inputs are evidence-based, methodologically sound, clearly documented, and consistent with the agreed study objectives and scope.
• Identify relevant assumptions, risks, evidence gaps, and lessons arising during the assignment and communicate these to the AFIDEP team.
• Provide timely comments and revisions on draft outputs following AFIDEP technical review and feedback.

4. Expected Deliverables

The Consultant will provide an inception note and workplan, technical review and input to the landscape analysis, support preparation and delivery of the high-level policy dialogue, and submit final technical recommendations and agreed knowledge products. Detailed deliverables and timelines will be agreed with AFIDEP at inception.

5. 5. Required 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 8 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 or development finance, or related financing mechanisms.
• Demonstrated knowledge of climate change and climate adaptation issues, policies, and financing approaches in African contexts.
• Strong experience in policy and programme analysis in African contexts.
• Proven experience conducting or contributing to multi-country or regional studies.
• Strong analytical skills and experience in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with a record of producing policy-relevant outputs.
• Experience working with think tanks, regional consortia, governments, development partners, or donor-funded programmes is an advantage.

6. 6. Skills and Competencies

• Strong analytical, systems-thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to translate complex climate financing evidence into clear, feasible, and actionable policy recommendations.
• Excellent stakeholder-engagement, facilitation, and technical communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary, multi-country team.
• Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet agreed deadlines.

7. 7. Working Arrangements, Duty Station and Travel

• The assignment will be undertaken from Kenya, Malawi, or remotely/hybrid, as agreed with AFIDEP.
• The Consultant will work closely with the designated AFIDEP team and participate in virtual and/or in-person meetings, consultations, and the high-level policy dialogue as required.
• Any travel required for the assignment will be agreed and approved by AFIDEP in advance and undertaken in accordance with applicable AFIDEP procedures.
• AFIDEP will provide agreed access to relevant institutional systems, documents, meeting facilities, and counterpart personnel required for delivery of the assignment.

8. 8. How to apply

Interested individual consultants should submit a current CV demonstrating the required qualifications and relevant experience, together with a technical proposal or brief statement of approach to recruitment@afidep.org. The deadline for receiving submissions is 16^th October 2026   Only complete applications received through the designated channel and by the stated deadline will be considered.