Internship program

Our Young Professionals Program offers internship for recent African graduates.

One Acre Fund’s Young Professionals Program is a paid internship program that offers recent African graduates meaningful work and training opportunities at a growing, mission-driven organization. We accept applications on a rolling basis, and positions are posted on our website as they become available. View open internship listings here.

What do you look for in interns?

Our standards are high, but we're interested in the whole person, not just an academic record. We're primarily looking for university graduates, fluent in English and the country’s local language, with a wide range of experience. Strong candidates are able to learn quickly, take feedback well, and demonstrate a passion for our mission.

What do interns do at One Acre Fund?

The job description for interns vary. However, all interns can expect to receive substantive work assignments working on high-impact projects that support One Acre Fund's operations. For example, past interns have:

Coordinated early-stage research on soil health, livestock, and drought resilience
Evaluated ways in which we can better inform government partners on our impact in the communities in which we work
Worked on projects that help reduce financial waste and inefficiency across our operations

When do applications open for the program?

You can bookmark our job openings page to keep an eye on any internship opportunities as and when they’re available. Please note that we only accept applications submitted via the online application form available on our website. If you’d like to be notified when applications are open, please subscribe to our newsletter.

How long are internships and can the placements turn into permanent jobs?

Our internships typically last three months, with the option of extending this by an additional three months based on the need within the team and the intern’s performance. In the past, if there has been an opening or team need, high-performing interns that have demonstrated strong initiative and leadership qualities have received full-time offers.

Are all of your interns based in the field?

While some of our interns are based in a capital city location, the majority are based in our non-capital city offices and headquarters (i.e. our field offices). Location placement is determined based on the team assignment.

What can interns expect when they start?

All interns will attend a one-week onboarding program at their country’s field headquarters. Interns meet clients and our field staff, and generally become better acquainted with our work. Additionally, each intern is assigned an onboarding buddy who helps them integrate quickly into their team, and a manager who they speak with one-on-one on a weekly basis.

What is the application and interview process like?

More than 4,000 talented graduates apply each year for a limited number of slots, and the selection process is very rigorous. Candidates can expect to complete a psychometric test, written essays, take-home exercises, and interviews. Candidates typically move through these stages over a period of two months.

How much do you pay interns?

We pay our interns a modest stipend that covers their housing, transportation and communication costs.

Do we send interns to other countries?

Interns are placed in their respective countries based on their citizenship. As we are not able to sponsor a visa for interns, applicants must have existing rights to work in their respective countries.

How do I check the status of my internship application? Will I be notified if I am not selected?

We will notify you if you have not been selected to progress past the first stage. You must submit your correct email address at the time of applying. Failing to do so will mean we cannot process your application or provide you with updates. Unfortunately, given that we typically receive more than 4,000 applications for each cohort, we are not able to give you specific feedback about why your application did not progress.