Career Information Session with J-PAL Africa: 2026 Internship Opportunities
Each year J-PAL Africa appoints interns from sub-Saharan Africa to support its research, policy and training activities. In 2026, intern positions are open with the Education Portfolio, Benin Partnership Portfolio, and Digital Identification and Finance Initiative in Africa (DigiFI) teams.
We are hosting an online careers information webinar on 4 March for prospective applicants to learn more about the internship program, application process, and what we look for in candidates.
Register for the webinar
About the opportunity
J-PAL Africa invites you to apply for policy internships with the Education Portfolio, Benin Partnership Portfolio, or Digital Identification and Finance Initiative in Africa (DigiFI) teams. The internships are paid, positions can be structured as either part- or full-time, and the length of the commitment is between 3 to 6 months. The internship location is in-person in Accra (Ghana), Cotonou (Benin) or Nairobi (Kenya) depending on the needs of the team. J-PAL Africa cannot sponsor work visas. See our FAQs below for more information.
Policy internship: Education Portfolio
The Education Portfolio aims to improve lives by ensuring that policy is informed by scientific evidence. While much of our previous work has focused on girls' education, we have since 2025 expanded efforts into broader education areas. Our team supports governments in designing education policies and programs through the careful application of global evidence to local contexts throughout Africa. The successful candidate will support scoping opportunities for evidence use and generation in the education sector, map potential partnerships, and drive forward our agenda by crafting communications content and engagement strategies for various partners. This internship is in-person in Accra, Ghana or Nairobi, Kenya and has a flexible start date.
Policy internship: Benin Partnership Portfolio
J-PAL Africa and the Ministry of Development and Coordination of Government Action (MDC) launched a multi-year partnership to support the generation and use of evidence in public policy across Benin. The collaboration builds on the country’s growing commitment to evidence-informed decision-making, including the passage of a 2024 law promoting the use of data in policymaking. The successful candidate will support scoping opportunities for evidence use and generation, conduct literature reviews on different thematic areas, and assist with research and administrative tasks. This internship requires fluency in French, and the candidate will ideally be based in Cotonou, Benin or Nairobi, Kenya. The internship has a flexible start date. .
Policy internship: Digital Identification & Finance Initiative
DigiFI funds experimental research to build the evidence base on the impact of digital identification and payment systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our team builds partnerships with governments and other stakeholders to generate and support policy-relevant research on this topic. To this end, we are seeking a highly motivated and organized intern to support the research programme. The successful candidate will support DigiFI’s Request for Proposal process to facilitate decisions on project funding and assist its project development and evidence dissemination activities. This internship is in-person at our Nairobi office and has a flexible start date.
Requirements
- A degree in Economics, Statistics, Development or related field OR studying towards a degree in these fields and in the final year.
- For MicroMasters in Data, Economics and Design of Policy:https://micromasters.mit.edu/dedp/ students: At least one completed MicroMasters course. Preference will be given to applicants with competitive MicroMasters course grades (75% and above) who have completed multiple DEDP courses (particularly Data Analysis for Social Scientists and Designing and Running Randomized Evaluations). Applicants should indicate which MicroMasters courses they have completed in their application and include a copy of their program record (available through the MicroMasters portal).
- Strong interest in social policy and development research.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet strict deadlines.
- Excellent communicator.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to speak French, in addition to English, is highly advantageous for all positions, and required for the Benin partnership position.
- National of a Sub-Saharan African country
How to ApplyInterested individuals can apply here. The application deadline for the internship is 31 March 2026. If you have questions, please reach out to Lauren Roode at [email protected]. We look forward to receiving your applications! |
Frequently Asked Questions
I am not a national of a Sub-Saharan African country - am I still eligible for J-PAL Africa's internships?
J-PAL Africa's internships are only open to Sub-Saharan African nationals. If you are a citizen of a country outside of this region, we would encourage you to look at internship openings in our other regional offices. See our careers page here, where you can filter by the J-PAL Office.
I am based outside of Africa. Am I still eligible to apply?
Yes, you are still eligible to apply but during the course of the internship you will need to be based in-person in the country where the internship takes place. Please note that J-PAL will not be able to cover any relocation costs or sponsor visas.
Do I apply to a specific internship?
Yes, if you have a specific internship that you are interested in please select that option in the application form. If you do not have a specific internship in mind, we will match you ourselves based on what we see as the best fit.
If you are particularly interested in one internship, we would recommend tailoring your cover letter to highlight the skills most relevant to that internship.
Do I need to have completed the MicroMasters in Data, Economics and Design of Policy in order to be eligible for an internship?
No. For those who are enrolled in a DEDP MicroMasters course currently, or who have completed one or more courses in the past, please include a copy of your program record in the application.
How long are the internships?
The typical duration is part time for up to 6 months. However, the exact length and structure of each internship is decided together between the candidate and the respective team.
Can I apply even if I haven’t graduated yet?
If you are currently completing an undergraduate degree, you must be in your final year of study to be eligible. If you have already completed your undergraduate degree and are currently pursuing a master’s degree, you may apply even if you have not yet graduated. Please note that candidates who have only completed secondary education are not eligible for the internships.
Is it open to all students or graduates from all fields of study?
Yes, our internships are open to graduates from all fields of study however we prioritise those with backgrounds in economics and similar fields as well as those who demonstrate an interest in impact evaluation.